Chapter 11
xt six months, Bailey underwent comprehensive training
Over the next
Julian arranged multiple minor cosmetic surgeries for her, leaving her face still seventy percent similar to her original appearance.
The pain from these procedures felt like countless ants gnawing at her nerves, yet it was nothing compared to the wounds in her heart [
Simultaneously, he hired tutors to crash course her in financial knowledge.
Balley had studied art design in college and hadn’t touched mathematics since high school.
Yet now, being forced to work with numbers again was genuinely challenging
Nevertheless, she accepted all of Julian’s arrangements without a single complaint about the difficulty, never once considering giving up.
Whenever she felt like surrendering, she would use a burner account to quietly log into Twitter and check Stella’s updates[]
Clearly, in the six months since Hailey’s disappearance, Stella had been living quite comfortably.
Her Twitter accounts no longer featured the modest lifestyle posts from previous years, replaced instead by luxurious estates, designer cars and bags. high–end venues, and a life of leisure
Her son, after “discharge from the hospital, was doing well and had already started with private tutors for his so–called elite education]
Accurately speaking, all Stella lacked now was the official title of Mrs. Winters.
Otherwise, she had obtained virtually everything she desired
Bailey’s nails dug deep into her palms, her hatred growing like wild grass, sustaining her through the pain of cosmetic surgeries and the torture of learning
Six months later, she emerged from the underground cosmetic surgery facility
The woman she had become bore little resemblance to her once gentle and obedient self
Julian circled her slowly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction like an artist admiring his finest work
At the same time, he handed her a thick file.]
“What’s this?” she asked.]]
“Your new identity documents,” Julian’s voice carried undeniable authority. “From today, you are no longer Bailey Cox. You are Rence Mitchell, an aristocratic heiress who has returned from studying abroad.”
Bailey opened the folder. The unfanuliar name on the passport, the exquisite academic credentials, the perfect resume–those were her tickets to revenge.
Clearly, Julian had prepared everything for her.
But Bailey still had doubts.
“I think Alexander and Stella’s relationship is quite stable now. Is there any point in me approaching him?”]
Julian reacted as if he’d heard a joke
stable relationship? Who told you that?
Bailey took out her phone and showed tum Stella’s account.
The content Stella posted painted a picture of perfect domestic bliss, her happiness practically leaping off the screen
His long fingers swiped across Bailey’s phone screen, his gesture tinged with contempt as he gave a mucking smile. “Look at all the posts–is there a single photo that shows Alexander himself?“]
Bailey thought carefully and shook her head.]
“This means Alexander has no intention of marrying her or acknowledging her son.” Julian explained.
Bailey looked at him in disbelief.]]
“Is that so surprising?” Julian smiled. “If he had wanted to marry Stella, why did he break up with her in the first place? Even if family opposition forced that breakup, he later gained enough power to do as he pleased. He could have avoided marrying you altogether and brought Stella back. But Stella was abroad for five years, and he did nothing–until she returned with a supposedly sick child.”
“Why?” Bailey asked.]]
She had assumed Alexander had treated d her so cruelly because he loved Stells more. But Julian’s reasoning made sense too
“Because what he truly values are money, power, and prestige–himself, essentially,” Julian’s eyes reflected bone–deep hatred. “Everything else, he can discard like trash.”
Bailey sat stunned.]
After a moment. Julian patted her shoulder: “This is actually good news for you. If he and Stella were truly devoted to each other, what chance would you have to enter the picture?”
Bailey nodded]
Silence filled the room as Julian carefully studied his most satisfying creation
Eventually, he took a cigar from a box.
Halley accepted it with downcast eyes, gracefully lighting it for him before passing it to his lips]
This was one of Julian’s lessons–how to display just the right amount of gentleness and con
compliance before men.
Julian took a deep drag before telling her: “Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to a birthday celebration. I’ve arranged everything”
