"Kill that wretched villainess!"
"Burn her alive! She’s rotten to the core!"
"This pest dared to harm my beloved? Feed her to the sharks!"
"Electrocute her again—I want to see the limits of her regenerative ability."
"Cut out her tongue so she never dares speak to me in that tone again."
"..."
"..."
"No... no, please—don’t! Let me go... please, I’m begging you! I didn’t do anything! It’s the plot—I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die! Someone, anyone... save me... please..."
The air was thick with the nauseating stench of blood.
Her cries grew louder, more desperate—yet no one cared.
No one saved the beautiful girl.
And so she died, again... and again... and again.
She died in the cruelest ways imaginable.
Drugs. Fire. Poison. Electricity. Drowning. The sword. The gun...
Blood and shattered fragments littered the ground. At the center lay a beautiful girl, her entire body tightly bound. A sharp blade had pierced through her heart, splitting her in two.
A sight no one could bear to witness.
"I’m in so much pain... please, help me... it hurts so much... let me go home. I don’t want to do this mission anymore."
"Please... let me go. It hurts... I want to go home."
"I want to go home..."
"...Just kill me. Please... I don’t want to live anymore..."
The phone beside the bed vibrated several times before Vivienne slowly opened her eyes. There wasn’t a trace of sleep in her amber gaze.
"Vivi... how are you? Are you okay?"
Before Vivienne could respond, the woman on the other end choked back a sob, her voice turning hoarse with anger.
"What on earth were you thinking? Throwing your life away for a man? Are you stupid? Haven’t I warned you countless times to stay away from that bastard, Adrian Voss—and that so-called Whitemore? Nothing good ever comes from mixing with the wealthy."
"Sister Mary, I’m really fine. It’s not what you think—"
"Not what I think? My ass it isn’t! The whole world knows you were so obsessed with President Voss that you nearly killed yourself on some deserted mountain! If those tourists hadn’t found you, you’d be dead by now! Do you really think Adrian would even look at you if you died? Let me tell you something, Vivienne Blackwood—he wouldn’t even visit your grave. To him, you’re nothing more than a fly—your life or death means absolutely nothing..."
The woman on the other end broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
After a moment, her breathing steadied. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, warmer.
"Vivienne... try to value your life. Try to love yourself—for your own sake, and for the people who truly care about you."
Vivienne fell silent for a few seconds before replying in a calm, almost indifferent tone.
"Sister Mary, don’t worry. I don’t love Adrian Voss anymore. I won’t chase after him again. I won’t repeat my mistakes. This time... It’s really different. Believe me."
"...We’ll see."
Mary’s feelings toward Vivienne Blackwood were complicated.
Vivienne had been the first newcomer under her care. She had watched her rise into a shining star, adored by countless fans. She had also watched her fall—becoming obsessed with someone she should never have loved... someone far beyond her reach.
She had watched the public turn against her.
Watched as the foolish girl nearly lost her life for that man.
People said Vivienne entered the entertainment industry for fame or social climbing—but Mary knew better. She knew Vivienne had donated most of what she earned over the past few years, keeping only enough to cover her basic living expenses.
She didn’t even own a home.
Just a rented apartment.
Sometimes, Mary felt as though Vivienne didn’t belong to this world—that she could disappear at any moment, because there was nothing truly anchoring her here.
And what happened only confirmed her fears.
She loved this obedient, gentle girl. She didn’t want her to drown in despair and die so young.
As Mary was lost in thought, Vivienne’s soft, melodious voice came through the phone—her fans often called it angelic, soothing to the soul.
"Sister Mary... this time, I’m going to retire from the entertainment industry. There’s only one year left on my contract. I want to save enough money, buy a small house in some village... and live a quiet, peaceful life."
Mary blinked in shock. "Are you serious? You’re really going to quit?"
She couldn’t be blamed for doubting her. Even though she knew Vivienne never truly liked the industry—and despite her academic potential—she had clung to this career as if it were her lifeline. Mary had always wondered why she had to endure all the rumors and chaos.
"I’m serious. I’m tired... I need a place to start over. A decent, peaceful life."
Mary wiped her tears silently. Perhaps this really was the best choice.
"Alright... you should rest for a few days. I’ll look for a new job for you and send it once I find something suitable."
The call ended.
Vivienne got up and walked into the bathroom. She filled the tub and lay in it, remaining in the same position for a very... very long time.
"Adrian, with all these rumors surrounding you, I’m honestly amazed that Star is still alive—and in one piece."
"Exactly. After all the trouble she caused you, you just let her go? You even brought in the best medical team all the way from Country M to treat her."
"I never knew my friend Adrian was such a saint. How about buying me a new car, my handsome angel? My father won’t let me get one."
"Pour me a drink—and shut up."
Adrian Voss closed his eyes, pressing his fingers against his temples as the image of that frail, pale woman lying in a hospital bed flashed through his mind.
Ever since he met her, he hadn’t had a single day of peace.
If she hadn’t once saved his life, he would never have tolerated all the trouble she caused him. Even his company’s stocks had been affected by the scandal.
Mark Charles grinned, his eyes narrowing. "But honestly, that girl isn’t bad. She’s totally my type—young too. I heard she’s not even twenty yet? And devoted? Before you, she had no scandals or boyfriends. If you don’t want her... how about I give it a try?"
"Mark Charles."
Adrian’s expression darkened, his voice low and cold, laced with unmistakable warning.
"Vivienne is a person—not a toy. She’s not that kind of woman. Don’t try anything. Stay away from her. Understood?"
Mark raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Sensing the tension, Han quickly signaled him to stop provoking Adrian.
"Alright, alright—let’s drink. We came here to relax and forget our troubles."
After a while, and several drinks later, Adrian Voss stood up and left, slamming the door behind him.
"What’s his problem? Did that woman finally drive him insane?" Mark muttered.
Han shot him a sharp look. "Shut up. If you want to stay alive, you’d better stop thinking about Vivienne."
"Why? Doesn’t Adrian hate her to the core? Why not help him get rid of her and take her off his hands?"
Han let out a long sigh.
Why am I friends with an idiot like this?
Then he remembered—the Charles family was one of the four most powerful and wealthy families in the country.
So he kept his mouth shut.
Meanwhile, inside the silent apartment—
Vivienne sat alone on the edge of the bathtub, her wet black hair clinging to her pale skin.
Drops of water slid slowly down her fingers as she stared blankly at the phone screen in front of her.
Buzz.
A new notification appeared.
Then another.
And another.
Her name was spreading across the internet once again.
Vivienne lowered her eyes quietly.
For a moment, the exhaustion in them seemed almost unbearable.
Then—
the phone rang.
Mary’s name flashed across the screen.
Vivienne stared at it silently before answering.
"Vivi... I found a job for you."