Chapter 1: Unexpected Pregnancy

Alicia knew that her five-year marriage to Duke Charles was no match for the words of his "white moonlight."

To elevate his beloved "white moonlight" to her rightful place, Charles was ruthless, forcing Alicia to divorce him.

Alicia gently placed her hand on her belly, where a new life had already begun to grow. She looked at Charles with disappointment.

Fine, let’s divorce.

Not long after, Charles discovered something strange—he seemed to be connected to Alicia, experiencing her pregnancy symptoms as if they were his own.

He felt all her pregnancy pains.

Ten months later, Charles knelt before Alicia, trying to win her back.

“You see how much the baby cries? He must miss his daddy. Let me come back.”

---

“This is wonderful news—this lady is expecting a baby!”

On the second floor of the gynecology clinic, Alicia sat on a bench outside, gently touching her stomach.

Despite the nurse’s cheerful announcement, Alicia couldn’t muster much enthusiasm. She felt both anticipation and fear for the arrival of this child.

Her marriage to her husband, Earl Charles, was one of convenience.

Three years ago, Charles had fallen into a coma after a car accident. Multiple top doctors declared him a vegetable with little chance of waking.

Charles’ grandmother, Lady Cartie, turned to a sorcerer, who told her that only by marrying Alicia would Charles have a chance of waking up.

Initially, Alicia had resisted. She longed for freedom and didn’t want to be trapped in a loveless marriage.

But Lady Cartie made her an offer she couldn’t refuse—she would cover all the medical expenses for Alicia’s mother, who was living in a psychiatric hospital.

The monthly bills for her mother’s care had become too much for Alicia to handle alone, so she had no choice but to agree.

Yet Alicia harbored a secret deep within her heart.

Charles had always been a shining, warm light in her life.

For years, Alicia had quietly followed in his footsteps, striving to improve herself. The prospect of marrying him had secretly thrilled her for a long time.

Miraculously, just two days after their marriage, Charles woke from his coma, a turn of events that filled everyone with joy—except Charles himself.

Upon learning about the marriage his grandmother had arranged during his coma, Charles showed no interest.

He summoned Alicia to his room.

“Miss, our marriage will never be one of love, so don’t waste your heart on me.”

Those words hit Alicia like a bolt of lightning, leaving her frozen in place.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll allow you to stay in my house for five years. During that time, you can live freely under my name. But know that my heart belongs to someone else. She’ll be back soon, and when she returns, I hope you’ll step aside.”

His tone was condescending, as if offering charity to a stray dog.

Alicia had no choice but to accept the situation.

She fled to her room, crying in silence.

“Oh, God! Why can’t I be with the one I love forever? Why must someone else come between us? Seeing him with another woman feels like a knife twisting in my heart.”

During that period, Alicia fell into a deep despair.

She thought her connection with Charles was over, that she’d pack her things and leave quietly after the five years were up.

But everything changed three months ago.

On the anniversary of Charles’ father’s death, Charles returned home completely drunk, collapsing to the floor in a daze.

He kept gulping down more alcohol, as if it was the only way to numb the pain inside him.

Alicia tried to help him up, but in his drunken state, their fingers accidentally intertwined.

Charles, with a hazy look in his eyes, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

One thing led to another, and something happened between them that night.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe it was something else, but for the first time, Charles let himself be close to Alicia—despite normally refusing to even touch her.

Alicia was torn, half resisting, half yielding, as the night unfolded.

By morning, she hurriedly fled the scene, her body aching from the night’s events.

She didn’t dare let Charles know what had happened between them. She didn’t dare to think, didn’t dare to gamble on his reaction.

That’s why she found herself sitting alone in the hospital today.

Facing the nurse’s cheerful smile, Alicia forced a weak grin.

“Thank you for the congratulations. I hope your work goes smoothly.”

The nurse, hearing Alicia’s polite words, giggled and swayed her hips as she left.

Alicia gently stroked her stomach, pulling out her phone.

She hesitated, unsure if she should tell Charles about the life growing inside her.

But then she thought of Charles’ usual cold demeanor and felt herself giving up.

She couldn’t bear to abort the child, though. In this strict family, passing on the bloodline was considered of utmost importance.

Charles’ grandmother, Lady Cartie, had even suggested they conceive through in vitro fertilization to ensure a child.

But Charles had rejected the idea, dismissing it with claims that he found the procedure “dirty.”

Lady Cartie’s expectations weren’t the problem—it was Charles.

Alicia feared he wouldn’t acknowledge the child growing inside her, especially since he seemed to have no memory of that night.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the hospital entrance.

“Move aside! Clear the way!”

A group of people rushed through the doors. Two or three doctors pushed an emergency stretcher toward the ER.

The chaos caught Alicia’s attention, and she lifted her head, curious.

What she saw left her stunned.

Her husband, Duke Charles, was among the group, looking frantic.

His usually composed brow was tightly furrowed, and his face was etched with concern.

On the stretcher lay a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman, and as they ran, Charles gently stroked her forehead, his lips moving as if to comfort her.

Alicia’s heart shattered into pieces.

It was her—*the woman*.

Charles’ “white moonlight,” the one he cherished above all.

She’s back. So where does that leave me?

Alicia thought to herself, feeling lost, her beautiful brow furrowing deeply.

She didn’t know why, but she quietly followed them.

As Charles and the group of doctors hurried ahead, their voices occasionally drifted back to Alicia.

“Duke, please don’t worry. We’re doing everything we can. Our initial diagnosis suggests it’s just a broken arm.”

Charles’ face was so dark it looked as if ink might drip from it.

“Hurry up! Or else this hospital will be finished!”

Lying on the bed, Linda—a delicate-looking girl—reached out her slender hand and gently touched Charles’ wrist.

Chapter 2: Heartbreak

Linda glanced shyly at Charles and smiled sweetly.

“Charles, it’s so nice to have you by my side,” she said softly.

She then playfully tapped her head in frustration.

“It’s my fault. If I had paid more attention while walking, I wouldn’t have been knocked over by that kid. I’m just not used to life here yet. Back abroad, cars always yield to pedestrians.”

Charles looked at her with an indifferent gaze, and this one glance filled Linda with a sudden sense of unease.

“Charles,” she continued, “the *Valorate* project is so urgent right now, but with me injured, won’t it delay the whole schedule?”

*Valorate* was a cutting-edge game produced by a subsidiary of Charles’ company, and Linda had been invited back as the head of artistic design.

“We can’t afford to slow down the company’s progress because of me. I need to get back to work,” she said, throwing off the blanket and attempting to get out of bed.

But Charles placed the blanket back over her and gently pushed her back down.

“Focus on healing first,” he said.

Alicia witnessed the entire scene from a distance. She realized that Charles’ so-called germaphobia, his reluctance to touch other women, didn’t apply to Linda.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t bear to be near other women—he had simply reserved his affection for Linda.

Alicia suddenly felt a wave of sorrow wash over her. Her eyes reddened, and tears welled up.

She sniffled, fighting back the tears threatening to spill, and on an impulse, dialed Charles’ number.

Inside the hospital room, Charles, who had been comforting Linda, glanced at his phone. When he saw that it was Alicia calling, his expression darkened slightly.

He gave his assistant Randy a pointed look.

“Tell her I’m having lunch with some shareholders,” Charles instructed coldly.

Alicia pressed her hand tightly to her chest. Even though she already knew Charles didn’t care for her, seeing him like this still broke her heart.

Randy walked to the corner of the hospital room, covering the phone as he spoke softly.

“Madam Alicia, I’m sorry, but the Duke is currently having lunch with a few shareholders. If you have something urgent, I can pass on a message.”

Alicia felt a pang of bitterness at the absurdity of it all.

“It’s nothing,” she replied. “I dialed by accident.”

Randy frowned slightly in irritation.

“Madam Alicia, the Duke will be very busy for the foreseeable future. Please keep that in mind.”

*The future?* Alicia thought, her heart sinking. *He still thinks there’s a future?*

Lying in bed, Linda caught wind of the conversation. Her lips curled into a smug smile.

She casually flipped her hair, revealing a pink Hello Kitty band-aid on her wrist.

When Charles saw it, his gaze softened, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

The band-aid triggered memories from the past.

“It’s been so long, and you still haven’t gotten rid of that little habit of yours,” Charles remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Linda smiled back at him, though her smile was slightly strained.

“I’m a sentimental person,” she replied with a small laugh.

The mood in the room grew intimate, their gazes locking with unspoken affection.

Standing at the doorway, Alicia felt her heart break. She bit her lip and turned away, leaving quietly.

Alicia had once believed that the night she and Charles spent together might change the course of their relationship.

But after today, it was clear that such thoughts were nothing more than wishful thinking.

Although it was autumn, the city of Sihalata still felt as scorching as a furnace.

Inside Sacred Heart Hospital, the air conditioning was cranked up so high that the cold wind blasted relentlessly, forcing people to bundle up for warmth.

As Alicia replayed the recent events in her mind, her frustration grew. Her head throbbed, and she felt lightheaded, as if every step she took was on clouds.

Just then, a young boy ran through the hospital lobby and crashed straight into Alicia.

She instinctively caught him, but the collision caused her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.

Cold sweat soaked her clothes as she gripped her stomach tightly, terrified for the baby inside.

Before Alicia could react, the boy burst into tears, drawing the attention of everyone in the hospital lobby.

A disheveled woman rushed over, lifting the boy and inspecting him frantically.

After confirming he wasn’t hurt, she clutched him protectively and glared at Alicia.

“Oh, my God! May the Lord punish people like you who don’t watch where they’re going! My boy is the heir to our family’s fortune! If you harmed him, not even 800 lives would be enough to repay us!”

Alicia bit her lip and absentmindedly rubbed her belly. Concerned for her baby, she didn’t want to argue with the woman.

But the woman wouldn’t let it go.

“How dare you try to leave after hitting my child!” she yelled, grabbing Alicia by the arm.

Already feeling weak, Alicia nearly collapsed under the force of the woman’s tug.

“There’s a security camera here. Shall we take a look at the footage?” Alicia’s cold tone sent a shiver through the woman.

The woman quickly grabbed her son and fled.

Dizzy and disoriented, Alicia leaned against the wall, breathing heavily as she tried to calm herself.

Meanwhile, in the VIP hospital suite, Linda gazed seductively at Charles, inching closer, her lips approaching his.

Charles lowered his eyes and watched her, but just as Linda’s lips were about to touch his, he pushed her away.

Suddenly, Charles felt a wave of dizziness, as if he were about to faint. His head felt heavy, and a nauseous sensation washed over him.

Back at the Duke’s mansion, Charles handed Alicia a divorce agreement.

“Take a look and sign it,” he said.

After handling the situation at the hospital, Charles had returned home and immediately brought up the divorce.

His mind wandered to Linda’s pitiful expression before he had left, and his gaze darkened.

He hadn’t pushed Linda away out of reluctance or hesitation—he had done it because he was overwhelmed by that strange dizziness.

At first, Charles thought it was just fatigue from the past few days.

But for some reason, the moment he saw Alicia, the discomfort worsened.

Alicia, still dazed from her visit to the hospital, stared at the divorce papers in front of her, caught completely off guard.

Chapter 3: The End of a Marriage

*So soon?*

Alicia thought to herself. She had believed she could spend a little more time with Charles.

Taking a deep breath, she forced down the wave of grief rising inside her, but when she spoke again, her voice still trembled slightly.

“Do you really want to go through with the divorce?”

“Yes,” Charles replied without hesitation.

Alicia dug her nails into her thigh, trying to stay grounded, and finally blurted out what had been on her mind all day.

“Is it because Linda’s back? Is that why you want to divorce me?”

Charles’ handsome brow furrowed instantly, and with an irritated gesture, he loosened his tie.

“I made everything clear five years ago,” he said coldly.

Both of them had agreed to the terms back then—everyone knew the conditions.

But still…

Alicia pinched her thigh harder, trying to shake herself out of her thoughts.

“What if… I mean, what if—” Alicia started, but Charles cut her off abruptly.

“I’ve already offered you a generous divorce settlement. Don’t expect anything more.”

Alicia looked at Charles in disbelief. She hadn’t imagined he would think so little of her.

Charles’ cold, indifferent eyes stared back at her without a hint of emotion.

“After the divorce, you’ll have a 200-square-meter house in the capital. That’s my compensation for the years we’ve been married. Don’t ask for more.”

His words felt like a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of her shoe—disgusting and impossible to shake off.

Alicia let out a bitter laugh.

Five years of her youth, reduced to a single house in the capital, and from the way Charles spoke, it was as if he was doing her a favor.

He was pulling out all the stops to pave the way for his “white moonlight” to take her place.

So, there was no point in telling him about the child growing inside her.

A wave of nausea suddenly surged through Alicia, and she rushed to the bathroom, retching over the sink. But all she could vomit up was bile.

Charles, watching this scene, was momentarily shocked.

Why did seeing Alicia vomit make him feel nauseous too?

What was going on?

Alicia lifted her face from the sink, pale and weak, with her lips as white as snow. She looked utterly drained.

Charles narrowed his eyes, his gaze probing.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you sick? How do you feel right now?”

Alicia felt even worse as the urge to vomit continued, but nothing came out. She just wanted to expel whatever was in her stomach and feel some relief.

Hearing the unexpected concern in Charles’ voice, her heart clenched. She forced herself to sound casual, suppressing her discomfort.

“Maybe it’s just a cold. The season’s changing.”

“Tell me the truth!” Charles’ voice rose sharply, echoing in the empty bathroom.

Startled, Alicia blurted out words she hadn’t meant to say.

“When you and—”

Suddenly realizing what she was about to say, Alicia quickly closed her mouth and changed the subject.

“This afternoon, I felt dizzy and lightheaded, and it was hard to breathe.”

She didn’t mention her hospital visit. If she did, suspicious by nature, Charles would start overthinking things again.

Wait!

Both of them had felt unwell at the same time. Could it be that they were somehow sharing these symptoms?

Had they transmitted something to each other?

Alicia splashed some cold water on her face, trying to calm down.

She left the bathroom and headed for the kitchen. She needed something acidic to ease the nausea that was gnawing at her stomach.

As she passed the living room, she saw the divorce papers on the table but pretended not to notice.

She went to the kitchen, grabbed an orange, and began peeling it. The citrus scent filled the room instantly.

Without thinking, she offered half of the peeled orange to Charles.

“Do you want some?”

Charles looked at her in disbelief, sitting back down on the sofa.

Alicia suddenly felt awkward, remembering that Charles didn’t like sour fruits. His fruits were always meticulously selected by the servants.

“Sorry, I forgot you don’t like these kinds of things,” she said, embarrassed.

She placed the orange slices in her mouth, savoring the juicy burst of flavor.

The strong citrus aroma lingered in the air, and Charles found himself swallowing involuntarily.

For some reason, he suddenly craved the very orange in Alicia’s hand.

Just as she was about to eat another slice, Charles stood up and walked over to her.

His tall frame loomed over her like a mountain, making Alicia instinctively shrink back.

“I was just going to—”

Before she could finish, Charles took the orange from her hand.

He grabbed a bottle of water and thoroughly washed the remaining orange under the faucet for a full minute.

Then, as if handling a precious gem, he inspected the orange before finally popping it into his mouth.

Alicia was left speechless.

Charles had always lived by the highest standards, and ordinarily, he wouldn’t even glance at an orange he had touched.

Yet now, he was slowly chewing on the orange she had peeled.

And then, in a serious tone, he added, “Next time, wash the orange more thoroughly before you peel it. Don’t use your dirty hands.”

Charles didn’t know why, but after eating that orange slice, the nausea and dizziness he’d been feeling earlier seemed to subside.

Something didn’t add up—this wasn’t just a cold like Alicia had said.

It felt as if his body was somehow in sync with hers.

Whenever Alicia experienced discomfort, he felt it too.

Charles began to suspect that Alicia might have done something—perhaps some witchcraft that connected their bodies.

He made a mental note to investigate.

Meanwhile, Alicia sat there, stunned.

“Huh? Oh, okay,” she mumbled.

The two of them sat on the sofa, sharing the small orange—one slice for her, one slice for him—until it was gone.

Alicia quietly imprinted this scene into her memory.

In five years, they had never shared such a peaceful moment together, let alone something as simple as eating an orange.

Yet now, as their marriage neared its end, this was the moment she would remember.

Chapter 4: Looked Down Upon

Alicia lowered her head, her eyes lingering on the divorce papers laid out on the table.

"I’ll sign."

Just as she picked up the pen and began writing the first letter of her name, Charles’ phone rang.

She saw the tension in his furrowed brows melt away as soon as he checked the caller ID.

“Charles, I’m so lonely here in the hospital. Could you come and keep me company?” Linda’s sweet, delicate voice came through the phone.

Alicia bit her lip, taking a deep breath, and forced back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

Charles gave Linda a few comforting words and stood up, taking the divorce papers from Alicia’s hand.

"I suddenly feel that the terms in this agreement aren’t very fair to you. After all, you’ve carried the title of countess. If word got out, other families might make a joke of it."

With that, he took the papers and hurried out the door.

All of this happened in less than a minute, leaving Alicia stunned and frozen on the sofa.

As Charles reached the foyer, she snapped back to reality.

“What will you tell Lady Cartie?” she called after him.

Charles, however, didn’t respond and simply waved dismissively as he left.

After Charles departed, the large villa felt eerily empty with just Alicia left inside.

A crushing sense of loneliness washed over her as she hugged herself tightly, seeking some form of comfort.

She gently stroked her belly. Despite the overwhelming sadness, she knew she needed to eat—for the baby’s sake. She couldn’t let the child suffer from malnutrition.

Just as Alicia was about to make herself something to eat, the doorbell rang.

For a brief moment, hope flickered in her heart. She thought Charles might have come back, reconsidering the divorce. Excitedly, she ran to the door.

But when she opened it and saw who was standing outside, her excitement drained away.

“You’re not welcome here. Leave,” Alicia said, her mood dropping several degrees.

Mitchell stood at the door, smiling as he held up a basket of fruit.

“Oh my God, it’s such a relief that you’re okay! I tried calling you so many times, and we were worried something had happened to you. So, I brought your mother to visit—you haven’t seen her in a while.”

Alicia’s face, which had never been friendly toward Mitchell, darkened further. What was the reason for her sudden visit today?

“Stop pretending,” Alicia said coldly. “God would never bless someone like you. My mother is in the hospital, or have you conveniently forgotten that?”

Jennifer, standing behind Mitchell, scowled in anger at Alicia’s words.

Despite her expensive outfit—LV’s latest fall collection—her thin lips and narrow eyes betrayed her true character.

“Oh, Lord, do not bless a woman who cannot even practice basic filial piety. How lacking in manners you are!” Jennifer sneered.

Alicia’s simmering rage finally boiled over. If it weren’t for her years of self-control, she might have torn the woman apart then and there.

Years ago, there had been a chance that Alicia’s mother could recover. But this very woman had said something to her, pushing her mother over the edge and worsening her condition.

Ever since then, Alicia had secretly been gathering evidence, vowing to destroy anyone who had hurt her mother.

She buried the hatred deep within her and looked at the two women before her with a calm yet icy expression.

“What is it you want this time?”

Without waiting for an invitation, Mitchell and Jennifer barged into the house, making themselves comfortable on the sofa.

As Alicia served them tea, they couldn’t help but feel smug, their superior attitudes shining through.

“You’ve been the Duchess for so long, but it’s time to step down. The life you stole isn’t meant to last. Now that your sister is back, things will only get harder for you. Do the smart thing and give up your place,” Mitchell said, her voice dripping with condescension.

“Give up my place?” Alicia scoffed, her tone thick with disdain as she fought the urge to slap them across the face.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said, glaring at Mitchell.

“Let me remind you—when you forced me into this marriage with Charles, you did it to secure treatment for my mother. I sacrificed my dignity for your family’s gain. And now you’re telling me the duchess title belongs to Linda?”

Mitchell took a sip of tea, her emotions masked behind a composed exterior.

“Everything I’ve done has been for the benefit of our family,” she said.

“You’ve been married to Charles for five years and still haven’t given him a child. How can you hold onto his heart or bring prosperity to the family? Now that your sister is back, it’s time for you, this useless waste, to step aside and make way for her.”

Alicia was in shock. She had always known Mitchell was shameless, but she had never imagined it was to this extent.

Clearing her throat, Alicia finally spoke.

“Don’t forget why Linda left in the first place. That’s a wound still festering in their hearts.”

Mitchell dismissed Alicia’s words casually.

“All the more reason for you to step down willingly.”

Alicia let out a cold laugh. Their plan was all too clear now.

They saw her as the fool, the obstacle. Once she and Charles divorced, Linda would slide right into her place.

To people like Mitchell and Jennifer, it didn’t matter who married Charles as long as they could bring benefits to the family.

But Alicia wasn’t about to go down without a fight.

“I’ll agree to what you’ve said, but only if you meet my condition: I want my mother’s shares returned to me.”

Mitchell’s hand slammed onto the sofa, her anger barely contained.

Years ago, Mitchell’s family hadn’t been so arrogant. They had been poor, and it was through deception that Mitchell had married Alicia’s mother and used the marriage funds to start a fashion business. From that moment, they rose from poverty to wealth.

But Alicia’s mother had fallen out with her family for Mitchell, believing they shared a deep love.

Then, one unremarkable evening, Jennifer had arrived at the house with their illegitimate child, flaunting her victory.

When they divorced, it had been a scandal. To make matters worse, Mitchell had falsely claimed his business had gone bankrupt, forcing Alicia’s mother to hand over a large sum of money to cover what he called “debts.”

She had been left with nothing.

Yet, as soon as the divorce papers were signed, the supposedly bankrupt factory had miraculously revived.

Chapter 5: Living Forever in My Shadow

What disgusted Alicia most was how skilled Mitchell was at maintaining appearances. By the time she realized that everything had been part of Mitchell's manipulation, it was already too late. From that moment on, she swore to reclaim everything that had once belonged to her mother.

After a final argument, Alicia threw them out of the house. Exhausted, she collapsed onto her bed, staring blankly at the beige ceiling.

Outside, the wind gently rustled the treetops, accompanied by the sound of birds joyfully singing. Sunlight streamed in, casting a soft glow across Alicia’s face. The light, slightly blinding, snapped her out of her daze.

Looking around the empty bedroom, Alicia realized that Charles hadn’t come home the night before. A wave of nausea rose within her, the bitter taste of disappointment settling in her heart.

*Maybe this is what it feels like to be completely disillusioned,* she thought. After all, they were about to divorce—Charles was no longer her concern.

She let herself fall back onto the bed, feeling utterly defeated.

Suddenly, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the house. Alicia jumped up quickly, walking toward the living room. Somewhere inside her, there was still a glimmer of hope.

But when she saw who had entered, her anger surged.

It was Linda.

Alicia couldn't help but sneer. “Oh, it's you. The woman who thrives on being the unwanted third wheel in someone else's relationship.”

Linda casually flipped her hair back, as if unbothered. "Still using a key to unlock the door in such a big house? Abroad, we use facial recognition. Your key lock is outdated—just like you."

She paused for effect, her tone dripping with arrogance. "And by the way, no one’s the third wheel. It’s the one who’s not loved that’s out of place. How does it feel, Alicia, living in my shadow all these years?”

Alicia dug her nails into her thigh to keep her composure. “His room is over there. Go find him yourself,” she said coldly, pointing Linda in the right direction.

Humming to herself, Linda strutted into Charles’ room. When she emerged, she was wearing several pieces of jewelry and had deliberately placed a pink Hello Kitty band-aid on her wrist.

She flaunted herself in front of Alicia, making sure to show off. "You might as well stop fighting. Charles has already promised to marry me."

A smug smile crept across Linda’s face as she looked down at Alicia. "Besides, you’ve never won against me. You’ve always lived in my shadow, ever since we were kids."

Her words brought a flood of memories rushing back for Alicia. Growing up, everything that had once been hers was taken away with a single word from Linda.

Furious, Alicia reached out and ripped the band-aid from Linda’s wrist. “You can only pick up what I don’t want.”

Holding the band-aid up in front of Linda’s face, Alicia continued, “People are like this band-aid—good for one use. By the second time, even in water, they lose their stickiness. Charles and I have been together for five years. His habits, little by little, have become like mine.”

Her words struck a nerve, and Linda’s face twisted with anger. Alicia didn’t wait—she shoved Linda out the door.

As Linda walked away, Alicia’s words echoed in her mind, her frustration building with every step. On the way back, a call came through from Charles’ assistant.

The assistant, caught off guard by Linda’s foul mood, hesitated. “Ms. Linda, I—I’m sorry to bother you, but the design team wants to add a new character. They’re requesting an artist like you to lead the design.”

“Then why are you calling me if they've already decided?” Linda snapped. “Why are they interfering with my work?”

The assistant went silent, unsure how to respond.

Linda took a deep breath. “Fine, I’ll handle it when I get back.”

But instead of dealing with the issue when she arrived at the company, Linda headed straight for Charles’ office. She tossed a bag of clothes onto his desk, expecting praise.

However, as Charles glanced at the contents, his expression darkened.

Linda noticed his change in demeanor and panicked slightly. "What’s wrong with the clothes?"

Charles threw the bag back on the desk. "Of course there’s something wrong. I don’t wear these kinds of clothes to important events."

He glanced at her, his irritation growing. “When you went to pick up the clothes, wasn’t Alicia at home?”

Linda, realizing that the clothes didn’t match Charles’ usual style, began to feel flustered.

“Well, you know how she is. She doesn’t like me, so she wouldn’t even let me inside the house. I had to wait outside for the longest time. She picked out these clothes,” Linda said, pouting to evoke sympathy.

Charles exhaled deeply. "Let’s not focus on the small things. What’s important now is *Valorate*."

With only seven days left before the game’s public launch, the art and modeling were critical for its success—both for Charles’ company and for Linda.

“I understand,” Linda replied sweetly. “But do I have the honor of having lunch with you today?”

Charles nodded lightly in agreement.

Meanwhile, back at the villa, Alicia was eating oranges to suppress the lingering nausea Linda’s visit had left her with.

Just as she was finishing, the doorbell rang again, and her frustration mounted. She opened the door to find Charles’ assistant, Randy, standing there.

“I’m here to pick up clothes for the Duke,” he said bluntly.

Alicia froze. “Didn’t someone already pick them up?”

Randy’s face twisted in frustration. “Lady Alicia, this is a critical time. The Duke is swamped with work preparing for the game launch, and you gave him ill-fitting clothes? Are you doing this on purpose?”

Alicia couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Not only had Linda lied about her to Charles, but now his assistant had the audacity to speak to her so disrespectfully.

She grabbed a suitable set of clothes and handed them to Randy. But just as he reached out to take the bag, Alicia tightened her grip.

“No wonder you’ve stayed an assistant all these years. Want to know why?” she asked, her voice cold and cutting.

“It’s because you look down on people like a dog.”