Alpha's Shadow

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After my rebirth, I walked away from my childhood sweetheart, Jasper. Instead, I turned around and married Nolan Crestfield, the supposedly dead heir of a powerful family. Using this contract marriage, I personally destroyed Jasper and the best friend who betrayed me, while safeguarding my mother and our family business. What I never expected was that my “dead” husband was very much alive… …and now he’s demanding we make this marriage real—starting tonight. --- Opaline Durant woke groggily, her head pounding as a flood of fragmented memories came rushing back, making her feel as if her skull might split open. By the floor-to-ceiling windows stood a tall, broad-shouldered man. In the dim light, his handsome features looked refined yet cold and forbidding. He was fastening his shirt, long fingers deftly working the buttons. Every movement was unhurried and elegant, carrying an effortless air of privilege. Opaline stared at him through unfocused eyes, her voice barely more than a rasp. "Who are you?" She tried to sit up, but dizziness swept over her, leaving her limbs weak and boneless. The man turned toward her, his dark eyes cold and unfathomably deep, like a bottomless whirlpool. He approached the bed slowly, radiating an oppressive presence. There was something dark and predatory in the way he watched her, as if she were prey he had already singled out. Opaline found it hard to breathe, confusion and bewilderment clouding her mind. She tried to force her eyes open and get a better look, but her eyelids grew unbearably heavy. Half awake, half asleep, she drifted in and out of consciousness. She had no idea how much time had passed. When she opened her eyes again, she was alone in the room. But she could have sworn there had been a man with her just moments ago. Wait… Why was she in a hotel? She clearly remembered dying in a hospital, full of resentment and rage after the people around her had squeezed every last bit of use out of her. Shock and confusion filled Opaline's eyes. Then something clicked. She snatched up the phone from the nightstand. It was the old phone she had replaced four years ago. Then she saw her own reflection on the screen—her face untouched by a single scar. A rush of joy surged through her, only to be followed by an overwhelming wave of fear and unease. It all felt too unreal to be true. She dug her fingers hard into her arm. The sharp pain was real. She had truly been reborn—sent back to the very day she was supposed to marry Nolan Crestfield! This was no ordinary marriage. The groom, Nolan, had died in an accident a month earlier. She had no idea why Madam Crestfield insisted on finding a wife for her deceased grandson. All she knew was that Madam Crestfield Crestfield had chosen her based on her birth chart. In her previous life, she had fought the arrangement tooth and nail. She had been in love with Jasper Merriton, her childhood friend, so she refused to sign the marriage agreement and called off the wedding instead. What she hadn't known was that Jasper had gone to the Crestfields first and caused a scene. He had called Nolan ruthless, saying his early death was nothing more than divine punishment, and even cursed him to die young in his next life. The Crestfields were a mysterious, ancient dynasty, a powerful family whose influence was known throughout Freverland and beyond. They would never tolerate anyone treating them with such blatant disrespect. Jasper had walked away without a second thought, leaving her and her mother to face the consequences. Their company nearly went under and only survived after a desperate struggle. Her mother, however, became seriously ill from the strain and never recovered. The memory stabbed Opaline straight through the heart. She snatched up her purse and bolted out the door. Not this time. She would never again let Jasper hurt her under the guise of looking out for her. Opaline raced to the Crestfield's mansion. Beneath the towering oak tree on the Crestfield's mansion, she spotted Jasper the moment she got out of the car, shouting angrily at Madam Crestfield. "Your grandson is already dead! If you want him married so badly, find him another corpse to marry! Opaline is not marrying him, so stop throwing your power around and bullying people!" Madam Crestfield's graying hair framed a weathered face, her cold, steely gaze fixed on him. A muscle twitched at her temple as the rosary beads clicked softly between her fingers. She was clearly fighting to keep her fury in check. Opaline clenched her fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms as she fought to contain the fury boiling inside her. She drew a deep breath, strode forward, and called out, "Whether I marry him or not is my business. And whether I'm willing to is none of yours! Who gave you the right to decide my life for me, Jasper?" ###Chapter 2 Jasper looked slightly surprised to see Opaline, then immediately flashed a warm, radiant smile: "Opaline, you're here. Don't be afraid. I've got you…" His voice was warm and soothing, like a soft spring breeze, and his gaze was full of tenderness, as if she were the woman he cherished most in the world. Looking at that hypocritical face and listening to his sickeningly fake concern, Opaline felt a wave of disgust rise in her stomach. In her previous life, she had loved Jasper and truly believed he loved her too. After she called off the engagement, Jasper confessed his love, and she accepted him without hesitation. But even after they became a couple, nothing really changed. They barely acted like lovers, and they never even kissed. Back then, she had naively believed he was simply respecting her. It wasn't until she was disfigured that she learned the truth: every bit of his affection had been an act. Everything he had done was nothing but lies and exploitation. He had used her, betrayed her, and ultimately driven her to her death, leaving her unable to rest in peace! "No matter what happens, I'll never let you marry that dead man, Nolan," As he spoke, Jasper reached out to ruffle Opaline's hair. A trace of mockery flashed in Opaline's eyes as she deftly stepped out of his reach. Did he really think she was still the clueless fool she'd been in her past life, ready to fall for whatever lies he fed her? Her expression cooled as she said flatly, "What gives you the right to decide whether I marry Nolan?" Jasper froze for a moment before replying, "Opaline, we grew up together. You know how I feel about you. There's no way I'd let you marry that short-lived bastarrd Nolan and spend your life as his widow!" He then stared down Madam Crestfield with a reckless, defiant look, putting on the appearance of someone willing to risk everything to stand up for Opaline. Opaline's gaze hardened. "Mr. Merriton, watch what you say." If he and the Merritons were determined to make trouble for themselves, fine. But he'd better not drag her and her mother into it. Jasper frowned, utterly baffled by Opaline's sudden coldness. She had loved him since they were children, always following him around. How could she possibly reject him and agree to marry a dead man instead? Then Jasper glanced at Madam Crestfield and suddenly understood. That old woman must have threatened her! Jasper spoke again, his tone sharper and more indignant than before: "Opaline, what happened? Did this old woman force you into this? You wicked old woman. No wonder you lost your son and grandson. You must have brought it all on yourself. Now the entire Crestfield family is down to just you…" "Shut up!" Opaline shouted, her icy eyes blazing with hatred. No wonder Madam Crestfield had retaliated in her previous life. Even Opaline could barely contain her fury hearing such vicious words. She knew that pain all too well—the agony of losing the people you love and being left completely alone. Pointing at Jasper, she said coldly, "You're nothing more than my neighbor. I don't know why you came here to say these things, but my marriage is not yours to decide. Now get out!" Jasper's eyes widened in shock. "!!!!!!" What the hel was wrong with her? He was trying to help her call off the marriage, and instead of thanking him, she was actually making him look bad. Hah. So that was what this was about. She'd asked him what right he had to decide for her—she was playing hard to get, trying to force him into confessing right here and now. Who did she think she was? Mockery flashed in Jasper's eyes, and he gave a cold laugh: "Opaline, I did all this for you. If you think I'm meddling, then go ahead and marry a dead man!" She was so ungrateful. Just wait—he'd see her come running back, crying and begging him for help. Fuming, Jasper spun around and stormed off. Opaline didn't even bother looking at him. She turned to Madam Crestfield with calm composure: "Madam Crestfield, I'm willing to marry your grandson." Madam Crestfield's fingers paused on her rosary beads as she fixed Opaline with a piercing gaze. The spacious living room was bathed in light from a massive crystal chandelier overhead. The marble table gleamed beneath it, the marriage agreement neatly laid out on top. Before Opaline signed, Madam Crestfield grew solemn and asked her one last time whether she was truly willing. "Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. I promised you'd be free to marry again after two years, but you'll still be entering a marriage now. If you're unwilling, I won't force you." Without a moment's hesitation, Opaline answered firmly, "Grandma, I've thought this through. I'm willing to marry Nolan. Even though he's gone, I'll do my best to care for you and honor him as his wife." From the very beginning, the Crestfields had made one thing clear: this marriage would happen only if both sides agreed. There would be no forcing anyone into it. In her previous life, she had been blind to the truth. She had mistaken the Crestfields' willingness to let her choose for coercion, then given her heart to Jasper, never realizing she was opening Pandora's box. In this life, she had no interest in love or marriage. This arrangement suited her just fine. Without the slightest hesitation, Opaline picked up the pen and signed her name on the marriage agreement. ###Chapter 3 Madam Crestfield tucked away the marriage agreement and handed Opaline a set of keys. "the Crestfield's mansion is quite a distance from your school, and you can't exactly move in here with us. I have an apartment near your campus. If you'd rather not live in the dorms, you can stay there." Opaline hesitated for a moment before taking the keys and putting them in her bag. "Thank you, Grandma." The moment Opaline accepted the keys, Madam Crestfield's weathered expression softened further. After all, they were family now. She took out another photograph and handed it to Opaline. "Nolan never liked having his picture taken. I searched everywhere and could only find this one." The boy in the photo looked about seventeen or eighteen, while Nolan was already twenty-seven or twenty-eight. The photo was from ten years ago. Opaline thought of Nolan's fearsome reputation. Rumor had it that he was violent and ruthless, with a twisted taste for sad1sm. That was supposedly why the Crestfields had sent him overseas. He didn't return until six months ago, after his father, Roderick Crestfield, died, to take over the Crestfield Group. In the photo, the boy wore black-rimmed glasses, his tousled hair falling partly over his eyes. His gaze was cold and razor-sharp, with a hint of menace beneath it. There was something brooding and dangerous about him, the kind of man no one would dare cross. If he were still alive, she honestly wouldn't have had the nerve to marry him. Then again, if he were alive, she wouldn't even have been in the running. After all, Nolan had already been engaged. But the moment she learned about his accident, she went straight to the Crestfields and called off the engagement. That was how the Crestfields came to her instead. Just then, the Crestfields' elderly butler approached with a message. "Madam, Mrs. Durant is here." Mom is here? A surge of emotion rushed through Opaline. Her gaze locked on the doorway, where an elegant woman in a blue dress approached with effortless grace. Tears suddenly blurred Opaline's vision. Thank God, Mom is still alive! Opaline fought the urge to run over and throw her arms around her mother. Instead, she simply rose and said softly, "Mom, you're here." Aubrey Durant wasn't surprised to see her daughter at the Crestfield's mansion. After all, Opaline had made it very clear during their phone call the day before that she was firmly against marrying Nolan. She had to be here to call off the marriage. The marriage might be little more than a formality, but Opaline would still be married. Her daughter was only nineteen. If Opaline didn't want this, Aubrey would never force her into it. Madam Crestfield also stood up, smiling warmly. "Mrs. Durant, you raised a wonderful daughter. From now on, as your family's in-laws, the Crestfields will do everything we can to help the Durant family." She turned to Opaline, her gaze softening. "And I'll cherish Opaline as if she were my own granddaughter." What did that mean? Aubrey froze. Then she saw the marriage agreement, and her eyes widened in shock and confusion. Opaline knew the worry weighing on her mother's heart. She desperately wanted to explain everything, but rebirth was far too unbelievable to explain. Telling her mother everything would only make her worry more. She might even think Opaline had imagined the whole thing. As soon as they left the Crestfield's mansion, Aubrey asked anxiously, "Opaline, why did you suddenly agree to marry him? Did you find out the company was in trouble and needed…" Opaline cut her off. "No! I just figured it wouldn't make much difference whether I married him or not. If marrying him can help the company get through this, then why not? It works out for everyone, doesn't it?" But Aubrey could tell her daughter was really doing this for her. Her daughter had grown up. She was more sensible now, but seeing her become so understanding only broke Aubrey's heart. Seeing her mother's reddened eyes, Opaline couldn't stop herself from reaching out and hugging her. Aubrey was taken aback once again. Ever since she remarried, Opaline had rarely been this affectionate with her. Moved beyond words, Aubrey hesitantly raised her arms and gently rubbed Opaline's back. Warmth spread through Opaline from the inside out. Yet the moment she remembered how her mother had died in her previous life, that happiness was overshadowed by a deep, gnawing fear. After a brief hesitation, she made up her mind. "Mom, can we keep my marriage a secret for now?" A marriage like this was better kept as quiet as possible. But what about the people closest to them? Aubrey asked softly, "Not even Uncle Elliott?" Elliott was Opaline's stepfather. Opaline nodded. "No. Not even him." ###Chapter 4 After talking it over with her mother, Opaline headed straight back to campus. The car was quiet until her phone suddenly rang. Opaline pulled it out and glanced at the screen, the light in her eyes turning cold. She answered and held it to her ear. "Opaline... where are you? I drank a little too much last night and passed out as soon as I got back to the dorm. I only realized this morning that you never came back." It was Kiera Fenleigh—once her best friend, and one of the people who had helped drag her into hel. Opaline lowered her eyes and said flatly, "I went home for a bit. I'm heading back to campus now." Kiera drew out a soft "Oh." "Well, I'm not on campus right now. I'm having dinner with some classmates in Silvertop Restaurant. Why don't you come over? Dinner's on me." Opaline's eyes darkened, the corners of her l1ps curling into a mocking smile. Treat her to dinner? More like luring her over to foot the bill! In her past life, she'd woken up in that hotel room scared half to death and called Kiera in a panic, desperate to figure out what had happened the night before. Kiera had assured her it was nothing, then turned around and spilled the whole thing as gossip at Silvertop Restaurant. She hadn't gone to that dinner back then. After going to the Crestfields to call off the engagement, she'd gone straight to Jasper. By the time she heard about the rumors, it was already too late. The rumors had spread all over campus, with people saying she'd shamelessly slept with a producer just to get an audition. But she'd gotten the audition through a recommendation from her mentor! — Silvertop Restaurant was lavishly decorated, luxurious without being gaudy. Opaline went straight to private room 999, the one Kiera had mentioned. She pushed open the heavy, carved mahogany door. It was only halfway open when a bloodcurdling scream made her freeze. "I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'll never do it again!" Opaline saw a man kneeling on the floor, his hair disheveled and his face swollen and bruised. He was slamming his forehead against the floor, begging, "Mr. Eta, I swear I'll never do it again! Please, have mercy and let me off this once!" His forehead was split open, blood soaking into the carpet in dark, ugly stains. Opaline's eyes widened in shock as she instinctively looked toward Mr. Eta. He was young—far younger than she'd expected—and strikingly handsome, seated deep in the shadows, his sharply defined features cold and severe. His deep-set eyes fixed on her with a cold, cutting intensity, like a blade hovering at her throat. In the dim, decadent light, he looked dangerously alluring, the kind of man who made the imagination run wild. Opaline instantly recognized him—the man who had stood beside her bed. It was him. Her mind went completely blank. Fear froze her in place. A man holding a dinner knife turned toward her. "Who are you looking for?" Her heart hammered against her ribs. Opaline fought to keep her panic under control. A man bleeding and begging on his knees. Mr. Eta sitting on the sofa. Another man holding a knife. ...Was this a murder scene? "Sorry. Wrong room..." Opaline backed out, yanked the door shut, and bolted. The man with the knife stared at the closed door, watching the terrified girl flee. He waved the blade in his hand and chuckled. "That little girl didn't seriously think I was k1lling someone to silence them, did she?" He grinned. "I'm Caden Whitlock, a perfectly respectable, law-abiding young man!" ###Chapter 5 "Jax, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have looked like murderers." Caden gave the kneeling man a kick. Jax hit the floor, clutching his head as he cried out, "Mr. Whitlock, please spare me!" "No one's trying to k1ll you." Caden sneered and beckoned one of his men over. "Go find out which private room that girl was headed to." His Eta was in a particularly sensitive situation right now. So when a girl suddenly barged in, they had to make sure nothing was off. Caden tossed the dinner knife onto the table and turned back to Jax. "We never treated you badly, yet you've leaked company information time and time again. And now you're trying to leak the news that my Eta is still alive?!" "I didn't!" Jax shook his head frantically. "Mr. Eta, I swear, I didn't tell anyone you're alive..." Nolan Crestfield was infamous for his ruthless methods. If he'd known Nolan was still alive, he'd never have dared go against him. Caden cut him off. "It's not that you didn't leak it. We just stopped you before you could." He looked at the silent Nolan. "Eta, what do you think we should do with him?" His long fingers tapped twice against the table. Nolan's expression didn't change. "Handle it according to company policy. Hand him over to Legal Department." "All right." Caden nodded and immediately had Jax dragged out. Then he sat down beside Nolan. "Eta, when are you planning to go home?" Nolan glanced sideways at him: "I still need some time." Seeing how calm Nolan was, completely unhurried and seemingly in control of everything, Caden couldn't help growing anxious: "Eta, do you even realize what happened? Grandma found you a bride, and she's already signed the marriage agreement. You're not single anymore. You're a married man now!" Nolan merely replied, "Oh." Caden frowned, practically bursting with anxiety: "Why aren't you worried at all? That woman isn't some society heiress. At best, she's some nouveau riche's daughter. She knew you were dead and still agreed to marry you. Anyone can see she's up to something. What sane woman would willingly marry a dead man? She's obviously after his money. How could Grandma agree to this just because their birth charts match? Right... I have her photo in my inbox. Let me pull it up and see what she looks like..." As he spoke, Caden pulled out his phone. He muttered while searching for the photo, "I had someone dig into her background earlier. They said she was ugly, vulgar, lazy, promiscuous, and never knew her place. She can't keep her hands off a handsome man. Her family isn't exactly prestigious, but they're not poor either. If she weren't impossible to marry off, who would willingly marry a man everyone believed was dead? Clearly, she's scheming, vicious, and downright vile..." His voice abruptly died in his throat. Caden nearly choked: "..." The girl in the photo was slender, with delicate features and beauty far beyond her years. That frightened little face he'd just seen flashed through his mind. Wasn't this the girl who'd just barged into the private room? No way. Absolutely no way! Stunned, Caden slowly turned to Nolan. Nolan's dark eyes were deep as the sea, a hint of amusement glinting in them. ###Chapter 6 Leaning against the wall, Opaline pressed a hand to her racing heart, silently willing herself to calm down. She hadn't actually seen anything that bad. Surely he wouldn't come after her over it... right? Her phone chimed with a text from Kiera. [Kiera: Opaline, I'm so sorry! I just realized the room number sign was damaged—the 6 had fallen off and looked like a 9. We're actually in Private Room 666.] What a coincidence. Opaline didn't buy it for a second. She waved a waiter over and quietly gave him a few instructions, then headed for Private Room 666, her expression turning cold. The door wasn't fully closed. The moment Opaline reached it, she heard Kiera's guilt-ridden voice: "Alexa Robinson, Hali, we deliberately gave her the wrong room number. Do you think she'll make trouble?" Hallie Wallace dismissed it casually. "What could possibly happen? We just gave her the wrong room number. She'll only have to walk a little farther." Alexa nodded in agreement. "A woman like Opaline can only afford to come somewhere like this by mooching off others. Even if we sent her the wrong room number a few more times, she'd still come running back with that eager smile, sucking up to us." The others in the room laughed and chimed in. "Exactly. Totally..." Kiera lowered her gaze to hide the smug delight she could barely keep from showing, yet her voice sounded heavy with concern: "But Opaline is my best friend." Hallie gave a cold laugh: "What best friend? Kiki, you need to remember that she doesn't belong in our world. A woman like her isn't even fit to shine our shoes." Not even fit to shine their shoes? What a joke. A flash of coldness crossed Opaline's indifferent eyes. In her previous life, everyone at school, all the way through graduation, had assumed she came from a poor family. It was all because of Kiera's deliberate misdirection. And because of her striking, alluring looks and the fact that she had openly confessed her feelings for her senior, Jasper, people had branded her a gold digger who was desperate to marry into money, meanwhile, Kiera, who was always by her side, was mistaken for a rich heiress. Kiera's family background was actually quite ordinary. The only reason she could get into an Silvertop Restaurant was because she was using Opaline's membership card. Opaline was the one who actually came here regularly. Opaline pushed the door open. The room fell silent at once, everyone staring at her with different expressions. Kiera immediately stood up with a warm smile, came over, and affectionately linked her arm through Opaline's: "Opaline, you're finally here!" She wore a soft yellow dress, her long, straight black hair framing her face beneath blunt bangs. She gave off an innocent, harmless air. She had fallen for that very facade in her previous life, and it had ultimately led to Kiera framing her for drvg use and ruining her reputation. Opaline gave her a lukewarm smile and casually slipped her arm free of Kiera's grasp: "You don't often treat me to dinner. Of course I had to come." The disdain in Hallie's eyes deepened as she looked at Opaline. She sneered, "Poor people really do act like they've never seen food before. You're practically starving." Alexa looked sympathetically at Kiera: "Some people don't get many chances to eat somewhere this nice. Of course they're going to eat their fill. Poor you. Your wallet's going to take quite a hit." Faced with their coordinated jabs, Kiera merely smiled, pretending she didn't care. And she truly didn't care. She had never planned on paying for dinner in the first place. She'd invited Opaline here precisely so Opaline could foot the bill. Once Opaline sat down, she cast them a cool glance, a faintly mocking smile tugging at the corners of her l1ps: "You can tell how rich someone is by their bank account, not by how high they hold their nose." The haughty Hallie immediately widened her eyes in fury. "Are you saying I'm arrogant?" ###Chapter 7 Opaline looked genuinely puzzled. "I was talking about looking down your nose at people. Is that what you're doing?" Hallie slammed her hand on the table and pointed at Opaline. "What did you say?!" Opaline met her furious gaze without flinching. "Do I need to spell it out for you?" Kiera immediately sensed that Opaline seemed different today. She was actually standing up to Hallie. And that was even better. Kiera couldn't have asked for more. As long as the two of them were at each other's throats, she could keep playing the sweet, well-bred heiress who always knew how to behave. At that thought, a look of flustered helplessness quickly appeared on Kiera's face. "Opaline, please don't be mad. It's my fault, so don't talk to Hallie like that..." As she spoke, she reached for Opaline's hand, putting on a pleading tone. Opaline instinctively pulled away. Their hands never even touched, yet Kiera suddenly stumbled to the side, her hand just happening to knock into Hallie's soup bowl. The soup spilled all over Hallie's clothes. Hallie threw up her hands and screamed, "Ah! My clothes!" She stared at the stains spreading across her white outfit, then stomped her foot in fury. "Do you have any idea how expensive this outfit is? Even if you sold everything you had, you couldn't afford to replace it!" Kiera hurriedly explained, "Hallie, I'm so sorry. Opaline didn't even touch me. I just lost my balance. Please don't be mad." "Kiera, how can you be so naive? This woman is no good. She only clings to you because she thinks you're rich and gullible. It's only because you're so sweet-tempered and naive that you still want to hang out with her. Wise up before you get played and still thank her for it!" Hallie shouted at Kiera, looking thoroughly exasperated. Then she pointed at Opaline again. "Don't think you can throw your weight around just because men back you. A woman like you is only fit to be someone's kept woman!" Gritting her teeth, she glared venomously at Opaline, looking ready to tear her face apart. Beside them, a flash of triumphant malice flickered in Kiera's eyes. So what if Opaline had money? So what if she was beautiful? She was still dancing to Kiera's tune like a fool. Just then, the door opened, and the manager walked in, dressed in her restaurant uniform. She came straight over to Opaline and smiled politely. "Ms. Durant, it's been a while. What can I get you today?" Opaline didn't even look at the menu. She leaned back in her chair and said casually, "I'll have a truffle omelet, pan-seared salmon, and seafood bisque." The entire room fell silent. Everyone stared at Opaline in disbelief. Ms. Durant... The manager had greeted Opaline like a familiar VIP. It was obvious Opaline wasn't a first-time guest at Silvertop Restaurant. Wasn't Opaline supposed to be from a poor family? How could she possibly be a regular here? Had Kiera brought her here before? But the manager hadn't even looked at Kiera. What was going on? Hallie and Alexa exchanged a glance, their expressions turning ugly. Then they both looked at Kiera. The others followed their gaze, studying Kiera thoughtfully. After all, it was Kiera's vague remarks that had led them all to believe Opaline was poor and desperate. Kiera's mind went blank. Why had the manager suddenly come in to take another order? She hadn't asked for anything else. Suppressing her irritation, Kiera forced a stiff smile at Opaline, hoping she'd help smooth things over. Opaline lifted her eyes and gave her a faint, knowing smile. "Kiki, don't stress over it. My family may be better off than yours, but you're my best friend. Since you insisted on treating me to dinner, I definitely won't fight you for the check. I wouldn't want you thinking I looked down on you." ###Chapter 8 The color drained from Kiera's face. She had carefully cultivated her friendship with Opaline until she'd earned her complete trust and become her best friend—until Opaline would do whatever she said. Even without asking, Opaline used to pay the bill for her. Why was everything different today? Kiera felt as though a puppet she'd always held firmly in her grasp had suddenly slipped its strings. Opaline turned to the others with a smile. "Don't hold back, everyone. Order whatever you want, otherwise Kiki might think you're looking down on her." Kiera had clearly wanted to win over their classmates today without actually paying for the meal herself. That was why she'd called Opaline over—to foot the bill. In her past life, Opaline had treated Kiera as her best friend. Knowing that Kiera's family wasn't well-off, she'd always thought she should help however she could. So whenever they were together, Opaline paid for everything. But this time around, she wouldn't spend another penny on Kiera. And anything Kiera had taken from her, she'd pay back in full. Kiera was shaking with anger. She could afford the meal, but it would nearly wipe out her personal savings. Seeing that Kiera's face had gone dark with anger, Opaline's l1ps curved with barely concealed amusement. She deliberately put on a concerned look. "What's wrong, Kiki? Don't tell me I..." Suppressing her rage and resentment, Kiera quickly plastered a smile across her face. She'll "Yeah, exactly! Order whatever else you want. It's just one meal. No big deal." Seeing Kiera act so generous, everyone's suspicions faded, and they temporarily forgot about the misleading things she'd said earlier. Then they boldly ordered a few more dishes. Every extra dish felt like another cut to Kiera's wallet. Opaline had really gone too far today. Not only had she smugly flaunted that she was richer and nearly made Kiera lose face, she'd even refused to pay the bill. If she had so much money, why wasn't she paying?! Kiera was furious. Secretly, she wished Opaline would suffer far worse than she was. Better yet, she wanted everyone to turn against her. She gave Opaline a faint smile and sweetly placed some food on her plate. "Opaline, where did you go last night? How come you didn't come back to the dorm?" It wasn't her fault for bringing it up. Opaline was the one who had pushed her too far today. Opaline's gaze turned cold. "Didn't I tell you? I went home last night." "Ah? Home? Weren't you with the producer last night...?" Kiera widened her eyes in feigned shock, staring at Opaline. Then she abruptly bit her l1p, as if she'd suddenly realized she'd said too much. She cast a flustered glance at the others before forcing a smile. "Right, right... You... you went home last night." Hallie, who had been sitting there with a grim expression, suddenly gave a dry laugh. "Oh, so that's what happened." She sneered. "How shameless. She'd do anything to get ahead. She'd even sleep with some old man without batting an eye." The implication was obvious. The so-called Ms. Durant wasn't some wealthy heiress after all—she'd simply attached herself to a rich man. Everyone had seen the producer last night. He was a man in his fifties—old, unattractive, and sleazy. "No, no..." Kiera denied it with a look of alarm, her eyes already red and glistening with tears. She seemed to struggle for words before stammering, "I'm sorry, Opaline. It's my fault. I just don't know how to speak properly... I never thought everyone would take it the wrong way." The more she tried to explain, the guiltier she looked. ###Chapter 9 Opaline let out a cold laugh, the curve of her lips turning even more sardonic. In her past life, after this dinner, all her classmates had accused her of sleeping with the producer for opportunities. Kiera hadn't just ruined her reputation at this gathering. Later, she'd shifted the blame onto Hallie, claiming Hallie had seen Opaline leave with the producer and started spreading rumors everywhere. Yet Hallie's reaction just now made it obvious she hadn't known anything. And now, right in front of Opaline, Kiera had asked on purpose, pretended to deny it, then deliberately stumbled over her words and apologized. On the surface, she seemed to be defending Opaline. In reality, she was pinning Opaline to the wall of shame. Every word painted her as a scheming woman who would sell her body for a chance to get ahead. The scheming. The performance... No wonder Opaline had spent her previous life helping the very person who'd been using her. Just as Opaline was about to fight back, a tall, confident figure walked in. The handsome man wore a polished, gentlemanly smile. "I was just passing by when I heard a voice that sounded familiar..." Everyone instinctively turned toward the voice. Hallie and Alexa's eyes lit up in surprise. Their cheeks flushed, their hearts racing as they stared at the man, barely able to contain their excitement. Wasn't this Caden Whitlock, the eldest son of the Whitlock family? Who had he come here to see? They knew of Caden, but he wouldn't have known them from anyone else. Caden glanced around with a faint smile, his gaze cool and casually dismissive. Then his eyes landed on Opaline, and his expression softened slightly. "...I didn't expect it to really be you, Opaline." Hallie, Alexa, and the others who knew Caden all stared in shock. Opaline? He was talking to Opaline! Had they heard wrong? This was Caden Whitlock, the eldest son of the Whitlock family. How could he possibly know Opaline? Unlike their excitement, Opaline felt a chill run down her spine the moment she saw him. Wasn't he the man she'd accidentally encountered in the private room earlier—the one holding the dinner knife? Why was he here? To bail her out? Impossible. He must have already investigated her. Otherwise, why would he call her Opaline? Was he warning her to keep her mouth shut? Opaline held her breath and forced a faint smile. "...Yes." Caden studied her carefully. She was obviously frightened, yet not a hint of it showed on her face. Not bad. She was at least worthy of his Eta. His trip here to bail her out hadn't been wasted. "Opaline, if you're looking for an acting role, why bother auditioning? Just say the word, and the female lead is yours." He frowned slightly before continuing. "Then again, I know you've always kept yourself above that sort of thing. You've never liked using your family's connections, unlike certain people who don't know their own limits. Students should focus on being students instead of scheming for things they haven't earned. And some people aren't theirs to slander whenever they please." With that, Caden cast a cold glance at Kiera. Everyone was stunned. Including Opaline. She hadn't expected Caden to genuinely come to her defense. He had even turned around and put Kiera in her place. Could she trust him? The man had a pair of seductive, foxlike eyes, slightly tousled curls, and a deep crimson satin shirt. He looked flashy and devilishly charming. He hardly looked trustworthy. Opaline wasn't buying it. If anything, her guard went up even higher. She gave him an unreadable smile. "..." "Opaline, if you ever need anything, come find me." Caden didn't linger. He gave her a wave and walked away without another word. ###Chapter 10 Caden just left? Opaline stared after him, completely baffled by what he was trying to do. She was still trying to make sense of it, but she had no time to dwell on it. Before she could think any further, Hallie grabbed the glass in front of her and threw the water straight into Kiera's face. Kiera clearly had no idea what had just happened. Her eyes immediately welled with hurt: "What are you doing, Hallie...?" Hallie glared at her furiously. "How dare you play me like that! I'm Hallie Wallace. I'm not someone you can manipulate whenever you please." Right then, Hallie was furious enough to tear Kiera apart. The Whitlocks and the Wallaces were worlds apart in status. If Opaline was close enough to Caden Whitlock to be called "Little Durant," her family clearly wasn't ordinary either. If she'd known Opaline came from a family like that, she never would have gone against her. Kiera had deliberately fed her half-truths and let her draw the wrong conclusions. After a few seconds of stunned silence, the room erupted. Everyone immediately started whispering and talking over one another. That man was the Whitlock heir. Opaline knew him personally. How could she possibly be some broke gold digger? It was all Kiera's fault. She was the one who'd said Opaline came from a poor family, lived off her, and was always tagging along behind her. She'd even said Opaline would sleep with a producer just to land a role. Listening to the whispers around her, Kiera finally realized what had happened. She felt as if she'd been dropped into an ice bath. Her teeth chattered as panic took hold: "I didn't! I didn't..." She'd never said anything about Opaline's family, and she'd never accused her of sleeping her way into the industry. These idiots had simply filled in the blanks themselves. Opaline decided she'd seen enough. She looked at Kiera, putting on a look of shock and hurt: "Kiera... so it was you..." Kiera turned to her in a panic: "Opaline, I didn't..." Opaline slammed her chopsticks onto the table and cut her off, her voice breaking with hurt: "If you didn't, why would everyone say that? Why would they think you're some wealthy heiress while I'm just freeloading off you all day long? But don't you forget—every time we went out, I was the one paying. You ate my food, drank my drinks, and I even bought you clothes and skincare products! Yet you smiled to my face while stabbing me in the back and spreading lies about me like this. I'm so disappointed in you." Kiera was practically beside herself: "No, Opaline, listen to me. It's not like that..." But Opaline wouldn't hear another word. She grabbed her bag and walked out, looking utterly heartbroken. "Opaline..." Kiera tried to chase after her, but Hallie and Alexa grabbed her by the arms and hauled her back, bombarding her with questions, accusations, and insults... Opaline headed back to campus in a cab, secretly delighted. The moment she stepped into the dorm, she started packing. She couldn't afford to fall out with Kiera completely just yet. But she wasn't going to keep living with her and pretending they were best friends. Not even for appearances' sake. The apartment keys Madam had given her were finally coming in handy. Once she'd packed everything, she moved straight in. On her first day back, she'd already stopped Jasper and shut down Kiera's lies and schemes. Opaline felt like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, her heart full of hope and determination for the future. The apartment was only ten minutes from campus by cab. When Opaline stepped into the elevator with her suitcase, two men were already inside. She pressed her floor and looked up—only to meet a pair of deep, piercing eyes. Her whole body went rigid. Mr. Eta? And Caden? Had they simply run into each other again, or was someone watching her? Otherwise, how could this possibly be a coincidence...? The elevator suddenly felt suffocatingly quiet. The atmosphere was a bit suffocating. Calm down. Just calm down. She forced herself to steady her racing heart. She'd only just gotten a second chance at life, and she still had so much left to do. She wasn't about to die now. Caden tilted his head, barely hiding the amusement in his voice: "You... live here?" Grandma must have arranged this. Opaline put on a confident smile and replied with a smile, "Yeah, I live here. I live here with my husband. He's actually waiting for me right outside the elevator. He's amazing—tall, handsome, built like a tank, and he could take on ten men at once." The elevator went dead silent. Caden's smile froze halfway. Nolan didn't speak—his gaze lingered on her face for a moment too long. The metal doors slid shut with a dull clang, sealing the four of them in that narrow space. Opaline felt her pulse hammering against her throat. The hum of the elevator seemed to echo with every heartbeat. She had lied. And one of them knew. When the numbers on the elevator panel flickered downward— someone suddenly reached for the emergency stop. The elevator jolted. Opaline's breath caught. And then—she heard his voice, low, dangerous, and far too close behind her ear: "Funny... I didn't know your husband lived here too."