Part 1The Portrait of a Stranger

On Ethan Sterling's twenty-eighth birthday, someone gifted him a woman right in front of my face.

Abandoning my usual gentleness, I smashed my wine glass, wrecked the banquet, and left home with my luggage alone.

Everyone said the destitute Mrs. Sterling wouldn't last three days and would come back begging.

Ethan didn't care at all: "An orphan girl, where can she go without the Sterling family?"

But countless three days passed, and some even suspected I had died out there.

Ethan called me for the first time, only to find the number was no longer in service.

Later, at a famous painter's exhibition, a portrait of a side profile made Ethan lose his composure.

He offered an astronomical price to buy the painting.

Lucas Miller smiled apologetically: "This is the portrait of my wife I'm most satisfied with. I can't bear to part with it."

* * *

It was Ethan Sterling's twenty-eighth birthday party.

I wore the most exquisite and beautiful gown, appearing on Ethan's arm.

As soon as we walked down the steps, Ethan let go of my hand and left me there.

Everyone's gaze followed Ethan.

I was forgotten in the corner.

People presented gifts to Ethan one after another.

He signaled the butler to put them away with a faint expression.

Until someone presented a beautiful woman. Everyone's eyes turned back to me.

Sympathy, amusement, mockery.

Over the years, I had seen too many of these malicious gazes.

Ethan's originally expressionless face showed a moment of daze.

That beauty looked too much like his dead first love.

"Giving me a woman in front of Mrs. Sterling, you guys are bold."

Ethan smiled playfully.

The gift giver flattered: "Mrs. Sterling is generous, I'm sure she won't mind."

It wasn't that I wouldn't mind; they just counted on me not daring to mind.

An orphan girl raised by the Sterling family.

How dare she say "no" to the new head of the Sterling family?

Ethan twirled the wedding ring on his finger, smiling: "Since Mrs. Sterling agrees, take her down..."

Before Ethan finished speaking, I had already walked a few steps to his side.

Looking at the beauty in front of me.

The gift giver really put thought into it, knowing exactly what Ethan liked.

I suddenly felt a little tired.

I seemed unable to listen to Grandma's words anymore to maintain the dignity of Mrs. Sterling.

I gently pushed the champagne tower behind me.

The beautiful crystals piled up collapsed with a light touch.

Broken glass and wine splashed everywhere, and the banquet scene was chaotic.

Someone exclaimed: "Mrs. Sterling has gone crazy!"