Only later did I learn that my features bore an uncanny resemblance to Leo’s.But on the night I was rescued, I asked her how I could repay her kindness.Her eyes were sincere.”Marry me.”I gave her a playful squeeze.”I’m serious.”Her breath hitched as she clung to me, her words a tangled whisper:”Then… give me ninety-nine forgiveness vouchers.””Forgiveness vouchers?” I was curious, clinging to her, not understanding.At that moment, she smiled.”Silly boy. If—and I mean if—if one day, I hurt you ninety-nine times, I’ll use these vouchers to make you forgive me ninety-nine times.
Once the vouchers are used up, this debt of gratitude will be paid off.”For the next five years, she poured massive resources into my career, turning me into an international supermodel. She cherished me like precious treasure.Until two months ago, when Leo returned. Everything changed.This was the 97th time. Just two more. My debt would be repaid.Seeing Celeste agree, Cassie Vane pulled me into her private VIP room, a dimly lit chamber draped in silk. Boiled eggs were scattered across a low table, and on the floor, two or three men lay in disheveled heaps, a cloying scent of decay and degradation hanging in the air.A shiver of dread crawled up my spine. My blood ran cold.
So the “eggs” Leo talked about meant… stuffing them into a private place…Celeste, who had followed us in, suddenly stiffened, her pupils constricting. She turned to Leo.”Wasn’t it about eating eggs?! What is this?”But Leo ignored her. He simply pushed me forward.”Cassie, Mr. Hayes used to be a dancer, his flexibility is sure to… impress you.””Don’t you want to try it yourself? Challenge the limits?”As Leo’s words fell, I, already terrified, trembled violently and immediately looked to Celeste for help.At the very least, I was still her husband. She had loved me once.
Though she’d put me through a lot for Leo, she wouldn’t really hand me over to a pervert, would she?But to my shock, the next second, Celeste walked to the table, poured a glass of wine, and pressed it into my hand.”Why don’t you offer Cassie a toast? Get this party started, Asher.”Get the party started? Was she serious?She… she actually agreed?In a daze, I saw Leo give me a strange, knowing smile.”Asher! Didn’t you hear Celeste?”As I watched Leo approach, unsure what to do, he suddenly kicked me in the knee.My body instantly lost balance, and the wine in my hand splashed across Cassie Vane’s face.
Then I fell onto the shattered glass, my arm instantly gushing with several cuts.My eyes met the twisted, pale face of one of the men on the floor.Leo’s sharp accusation rang in my ears:”Asher, if you don’t want to toast, just say so! There’s no need to pretend to be crazy to provoke Cassie. Is that how Celeste’s husband acts? You’re just trying to embarrass Celeste!”Cassie’s expression froze for a moment, then she reacted, her eyes widening as she looked at me.”You… you’re the rumored husband of Celeste Kingston?”
