AmberlynSonnet

She was once Du Yue, the dazzling jewel of Starlight City society—proud and fiery, loving Chen Ze with a passion that consumed her, until he became the very center of her universe.  
He, on the other hand, was Chen Ze, the unyielding emperor of the business world—cold, calculating, and willing to sacrifice her to safeguard his cherished ideal, Shen Ya, crushing her dignity beneath his heel without remorse.  
“Du Yue, if justice won’t punish you, I will.”  
For two years, she plummeted from the heights of bliss into the depths of despair, her spirit reduced to ash, yearning only for freedom from his suffocating grasp.  
“Wife, where do you think you’re going without me?” He closed in, his voice deceptively soft but edged with cruel intent.  
“To a place far from you…” she answered icily, her resolve unwavering, leaving no room for regret or return. When the truth finally came to light, he realized the magnitude of his mistake, his heart drowning in waves of unbearable regret.  
But she was no longer the woman who had once burned so brightly for him.  
In the meantime, her closest friend embarked on a mission to avenge her mother, allying with a shadowy CEO whose identity remained shrouded in mystery, setting off a tempest within the upper echelons of high society.  
Love and hatred intertwined, debts of vengeance and wounds of betrayal collided, redemption and retribution walked side by side. In this intricate game of power and wealth, who would emerge victorious when the final curtain fell?

Billionaire’s Toxic Affair

At that moment, a cold voice rang out behind them. Turning around, they saw Chen Ze standing at the stairway entrance, dressed in a loose white sweater. His proportions were impeccable, like a runway model, but the icy expression on his face sent a chill through those present.

Everyone exchanged glances, stunned into silence. Then unease settled in; they shifted uncomfortably, their throats dry with anxiety, unsure of how much Chen Ze had overheard.

Someone bold stepped forward and said, "Sir, we didn't bully anyone. We were just joking around."

"Is that so?" Chen Ze's face remained impassive, his dark eyes cutting through them like a blade slicing flesh. "How could I overhear you talking about bullying Du Yue yesterday?"

So he really had heard. This time, nobody could stay calm. A maid serving Xiao Qian took a deep breath and spoke up. "Sir, we only asked Du Yue to wash some clothes. Doesn't count as bullying, does it? Besides, she seemed fine yesterday."

"Really?" A faint smile tugged at the corner of Chen Ze's lips. "Then there's no issue at all."

Xiao Qian glanced at the others behind her. When had the master ever smiled like this—so warm, almost charming? Recalling his usual disdain for Du Yue, could it be that he was secretly pleased?

Xiao Qian mulled it over. It seemed Chen Ze had reached some conclusion as he calmly added, "You should have made her wash them with cold water."

Xiao Qian immediately perked up. "That's exactly what we did! When Du Yue came back, her body was numb, and her face was deathly pale. But these things must be normal for her. She deserves it!"

A flicker of icy resolve flashed in Chen Ze's eyes. Before he could respond, a scream pierced the air outside.

Chen Ze bolted toward the door. There, Shen Weiyi, clutching a hot water bottle, collapsed to the ground, trembling as she forced out the words: "Sir… Miss Du's body is freezing, and her breathing is barely detectable…"

Chen Ze's mind went blank. By the time he snapped back to reality, he had already scooped Du Yue up from the snow. Her body was devoid of warmth. If not for the faint heartbeat still thumping in her chest, she might as well have been dead.

"Du Yue? Du Yue…" Fear gripped him unexpectedly, sending him into a panic. He tried to lift her, but the shackles binding her held him back.

The servants had never seen Chen Ze so enraged, his voice tearing through the room. They froze in terror. Shen Weiyi quickly stammered, "No keys! The keys are with Zhao Xue, but she's gone!"

Shen Weiyi scrambled to her feet, grabbing a rock to smash the chains. Meanwhile, Chen Ze cradled Du Yue in his arms, his hands brushing against her face, cold and lifeless like an ice sculpture.

She can't die… She won't die… Her life belongs to me, Chen Ze! Even if she dies, it will be on her own bed. She won't slip away from me this easily!

"Du Yue! If you dare die, I'll dig up your father's grave!"

He hoped his threat would rouse her, but Du Yue remained motionless.

A sharp pang of guilt lashed at Chen Ze's core. "Out of my way!" With both hands gripping the sides of the shackle, he pulled with all his might, ignoring the blood seeping from his torn palms.

"It's no use, sir! These chains can't be broken, even with stones!"

Following the weakest point of the shackle, Chen Ze pressed his palm hard enough to draw blood. With a final, forceful tug, the chains snapped, freeing Du Yue.

Before Shen Weiyi could process what had happened, Chen Ze had already swept Du Yue into his arms and rushed upstairs with determined strides.

He wrapped her tightly in a quilt, turning the heat up high. Gently rubbing her arms to restore circulation, he paused when his fingers brushed against hers—as he feared, the frostbite on her hands had turned gangrenous.

Chapter 23 I Forbid Your Death