Chapter 2

As Crystal stepped out of the room, she felt grateful to Andrew but also weighed down by a tangle of emotions. Stephen hadn't been the only one putting effort into their relationship. Aware of their huge social gap, Crystal had never let herself slack off over the years, constantly improving herself to close the distance between them. In the end, she had become so capable that even the arrogant and prideful Andrew began to acknowledge her excellence and hard work. Yet here they were, their love being discarded by Stephen himself… Crystal forced a bitter smile and went to the company to handle her resignation. After finishing the paperwork, she packed her things and prepared to leave. But the moment she stepped out of the building, someone yanked her from behind, causing her to lose balance and fall hard to the ground. Before she could react, fists rained down on her. "You filthy bitch! How dare you try to seduce my son-in-law? Look, everyone! This shameless woman tried to steal someone else's husband!" "I didn't… It wasn't me… I don't even know your son-in-law!" With everything happening so fast, Crystal was hit with such force that she became dizzy, disoriented, and too weak to fight back. By the time she managed to stand, a crowd had already gathered around her. Crystal tried to defend herself as her clothes were torn. Only when the police arrived and took them to the station did she finally learn the truth. The couple who attacked her were Amy's parents. They had come specifically to "teach her a lesson" for their daughter. "Hmph! So what if you're Mr. Rimmer's fiancee? Amy and Mr. Rimmer are the real couple! I suggest you give up now—or else!" Even after being exposed, they remained unfazed and began mocking Crystal arrogantly. Crystal gathered her torn clothes and let out a cold, calm laugh. "I've already dumped that trash of a man. I don't care how much you treasure your daughter, but attacking and slandering me in public is unacceptable. Officer, I demand a medical examination and will press charges against them!" She made her request firmly, then went to the hospital alone to be treated. Not long after, her mother, Marlene Whitfield, called unexpectedly. "Crystal… At the foot of Mount Survan… Help me…" Marlene's desperate, tearful voice came through, but the call was disconnected before Crystal could ask anything. When she tried to call back, the line was already dead. A cold chill ran through her as she realized her mother was in danger. Crystal raced to the foot of Mount Survan. The moment she arrived, she saw Marlene dangling from a crane. She stumbled forward, wanting to save her. Then she followed Marlene's terrified gaze—and to her shock, Stephen had his arm around Amy while operating the crane. "Stephen! Are you insane? That's my mom! Let her down!" Crystal lunged at him, but he dodged, looking at her with a vicious glare. "Crystal, how cruel of you to send Amy's parents to the police station! Since you did that, I'll make you feel the pain of losing your mother as well!" "They attacked me first and slandered me, claiming I was a homewrecker! I simply pressed charges against them. What's wrong with that?" She couldn't believe Stephen would completely ignore the years Marlene had cared for him at the Rimmer residence just because of Amy's parents. He knew Marlene had a serious heart condition. Any shock could be fatal. Crystal couldn't even imagine the consequences if something happened. Crystal swiftly lifted her shirt, revealing the alarming injuries all over her body. Stephen hesitated for a brief moment. Amy twisted the truth as she cried. "Stephen, how could you believe her? My parents are gentle people. They don't even know Crystal. They would never attack her. She must have gone to my parents for revenge because of what you did for me yesterday." After hearing Amy's words, Stephen instantly dismissed all doubts in his mind. "Crystal, drop the case right now and have her parents released. Otherwise…" He lifted Marlene 100 feet into the air, causing her to scream in terror, but he ignored her. "Mom!" Crystal's eyes turned bloodshot as she watched Marlene sway in the wind. She bit her lip until it tasted of blood, finally saying weakly, "Okay… I'll do what you say…"