When Ashes Speak

To make amends for the regrets of his past life, Bradley doted on Selena relentlessly.

He bought her a pink diamond necklace worth millions of dollars and rented out the entire Disneyland for her birthday to put on a fireworks show.

Everyone said Selena was his most prized treasure.

It turned out that when the usually calm and composed Bradley truly fell in love with someone, he would show off to the whole world like an inexperienced teenager.

I had no time to pay much attention to it.

To pay off my debts, I sold my oil paintings under the pseudonym "X" as an anonymous artist.

Within two days, the gallery manager called to say a wealthy person was interested in my work.

I never expected that person would be Bradley.

When Selena attended an event at Sotheby's auction house, she casually praised my paintings.

Bradley immediately wanted to buy all of my works.

He had severe germaphobia.

In my past life, whenever he saw me covered in paint, he would always wrinkle his nose and keep his distance from me.

I had no choice but to give up painting and never touch a brush again.

Now he just smiled as he watched Selena act on her every whim.

He indulged her as she smeared paint all over his thousand-dollar Armani suit.

Although I desperately needed the money, I still hesitated for a moment before agreeing to the deal.

Soon after, Selena showed off my paintings on Instagram. Fans asked: "Selena, are you the genius anonymous artist known as 'X'?"

Selena replied with a flirtatious wink emoji, not denying it.

The comment section immediately erupted.

Countless fans praised her for being so talented yet so modest.

The topic "Artistic Genius Beauty" trended on Twitter.

A representative from the luxury brand we were negotiating with urgently contacted me:

"Ms. Hunter, your work involves unclear copyright ownership. We must suspend our collaboration."

"If you can't clarify this promptly, you'll need to bear the production costs already incurred, totaling $1.5 million."

I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice bath and hastily explained, "I'm the real 'X'!"

The rep replied helplessly, "Public opinion online has already decided the real 'X' is someone else. We can't afford the legal risks."

I headed to the law firm with my original sketches, ready to sue Selena.

On the way, I was forcibly taken to Hunter Group by several men in black.

Bradley looked at me, a flash of surprise and panic crossing his brow.

"Those paintings are yours?"

I looked at him disappointedly, my voice trembling:

"So now you're planning to silence me forever just to make Selena famous?"

Bradley's resolute expression wavered, then quickly returned to its cold demeanor." Selena has dreamed of becoming an artist since childhood, and as her guardian, I naturally want to support her."

A surge of bitterness welled up in my heart, and I couldn't help but question:

"Do you know that your selfish decision will completely ruin me?"

A million and a half dollars in compensation - besides jumping off a building, I really couldn't think of any other solution.

Bradley impatiently interrupted:

"Olivia, you almost killed Selena. This is what you owe her."

"I promise you, as long as you acknowledge that Selena is 'X' and don't publicly expose her, I can consider holding the wedding as soon as possible."

I flatly refused: "No need."

Bradley's tone turned icy: "Think about your parents."

Fighting back tears, I resignedly signed the non-disclosure agreement.

Seeing my compromise, Bradley softened his tone slightly:

"I'll take care of your family's debt."

I ignored him and mechanically turned to leave.

The sky began to drizzle.

A pink Ferrari sped by, splashing dirty water all over me.

Selena lowered the car window, looking at me provocatively.

"He can find another wife, but he only has one adopted daughter."

"Olivia, do you understand your position now?"

Eager to distance myself, I said coldly:

"I won't marry Bradley. I wish you both happiness." This sentence unknowingly struck a nerve with Selena.

Her expression suddenly twisted, a flash of madness in her eyes.

"Uncle was mine to begin with, who needs your fake, phony charity?"

Selena stomped on the gas pedal, aiming the car straight at me.

"Olivia, go to hell!"