Chapter 1

　　In December, the first snowfall visited Ottaster. 　　On her third wedding anniversary, Lillian Brook was trapped at the hospital by her mother-in-law Chloe Larsen until 11:30 PM before she was finally let go. 　　Snow was coming down hard on the streets. As Lillian didn't drive here, she called her husband Jeffrey Larsen, hoping he would come pick her up. 　　The phone rang a few times, and Jeffrey's cold and magnetic voice came through. 　　"What's up?" 　　Listening to him, Lillian felt all the frustration she'd built up dealing with Chloe flood her in waves. Her voice cracked as she asked, "Can you come pick me up? It's snowing heavily outside..." 　　"I'm busy," Jeffrey coldly cut her off. "If you're tired, just hail a cab. Don't bother me with such trifles." 　　Lillian's throat tightened as she tried to speak, but the call had already ended. 　　The dial tone hummed in her ear, leaving a raw ache in her chest. 　　They had been in love for seven years, married for three. 　　When they first started dating, Jeffrey would stand out in the snow for hours, waiting below the building where she worked part-time just to walk her home. 　　And he would embrace her, saying, "The road's slippery in the snow. I'm worried you might fall without my presence." 　　But now, her safety became a trifle to him. 　　The wind howled, and the snow picked up. Lillian huddled in her down jacket, waiting for a cab. Her fingers, numb from the cold, scrolled through her social media feed, looking for a distraction. 　　After liking a few posts, her thumb paused at a photo snapped by Jeffrey's assistant, Caleb Baker. 　　Jeffrey was in it, too, sitting at a desk in the Larsen Group's deputy GM office, reading through papers, with a pink milkshake sitting on the desk in front of him. 　　Jeffrey never drank milkshakes, so who could have put that there? 　　Lillian tried to open the full-size photo, but the post had already disappeared, like someone was scrambling to hide something. 　　The wind bit at her skin, and the cab driver honked impatiently. "You getting in or what?" 　　Snapping out of her daze, Lillian replied stiffly, "I'm coming." 　　By the time she got home, it was already dawn. 　　As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed that the gift bag in the living room corner was gone. 　　That was the popular starlight bracelet that Jeffrey had bought. She thought it was his gift for their third wedding anniversary... 　　Lillian froze in confusion when the door suddenly opened. 　　Jeffrey, holding the doorknob, seemed surprised to see her. "Why are you still up?" 　　"I just got back." Lillian pulled herself together and softly asked, still holding onto a sliver of hope, "Do you have anything to say to me?" 　　"What?" Jeffrey asked, not even glancing at her. Then he loosened his tie, heading for the bathroom. " If you're tired, just go to bed. Don't stay up." 　　Lillian stood frozen, trying to add something, but the bathroom door slammed shut, cutting her off. 　　He completely forgot their anniversary... 　　Lillian let out a soft sigh, feeling disheartened. 　　The next morning, Lillian went to her architectural design studio. 　　She had started it after graduation. Over the past two years, it had built quite a reputation in the industry. 　　As soon as she entered the office, her assistant, Stela Murray, strode over. "Lillian, the Larsen Group asked if we could send our design draft. We have to compete with another studio for the collaboration." 　　She slammed her fist on the table. "Who do they think they are? Our designs are pure gold! We gave them a good deal, and now they're making us fight for it? That's just insulting!" 　　Lillian was taken aback, too. 　　But seeing Stela's scowl, she forced a smile and reassured, "I'll go and deliver it. Relax, it's just this once." 　　Although she didn't know how such a change could happen, she had absolute confidence in her ability to win against the opponent. 　　In the afternoon, Lillian arrived at the Larsen Group. 　　As she stepped into the lobby, she spotted Caleb. 　　Assuming he was waiting for her, she was about to walk over, but a pink Porsche pulled up right in front of her. 　　She stopped in her tracks, watching as Caleb opened the car door and helped a young girl out. 　　She couldn't help but ask, "Who is she?" 　　Caleb seemed flustered at the sight of her. After calming down, he introduced, "Lillian, you came just in time. This is Ashley Stone, the daughter of the chairman of the Stone Group, and the representative for Irides Studio." 　　Irides Studio was their competitor this time. 　　Lillian looked at Ashley, who looked young and exuberant like a fresh graduate with her big, round eyes. 　　As their eyes met, Ashley flashed a sweet smile and extended her hand. "Ms. Brook, hello. You can call me Ashley." 　　Lillian raised a brow as she recalled Ashley's identity. 　　She politely reached out to shake hands, but her eyes widened at the sight of Ashley's wrist. 　　There, peeking from under Ashley's sleeve, was that familiar starlight bracelet.