My wife believed money could solve every problem. On our wedding day, she allowed her junior assistant, Ashton, to accost me and call me a homewrecker. Seeing me attacked by the entire internet, she bought out my hurt for a million gold coins. Ashton “accidentally” shattered my father’s precious keepsake. She bought out my tears for three million gold coins. Until Ashton falsely accused me of stealing his watch, threatening to send me to prison. She remarked nonchalantly: “You’re always hovering around him; it’s natural he’d be annoyed. “It’s good that you’ll spend some time in prison to give him some peace. “Tell me, how much for your wounded heart?” “Ten billion gold coins.” I said the astronomical figure, my eyes red. She paused, just for a moment. Then smiled. “Alright.” I watched in shock as she walked away with Ashton. Beneath my hands, covering my face in feigned sadness, I finally couldn’t hold back a laugh: “She finally fell for it!” … Eleanor Howard led Ashton Tipton away, without a backward glance. Leaving me alone, heartbroken on the spot. Even the servants looked on with a mixture of pity and disdain. Some clicked their tongues and shook their heads, calling me a spineless fool. Others sighed mournfully, lamenting that my appeal as a true husband couldn’t even compare to an assistant. I entered the bedroom, eyes red, and slammed the door shut. Finally, I could laugh freely. Ten billion for a six-month prison sentence? Eleanor Howard, Eleanor Howard, you finally took the bait! It was worth all the grievances I’d endured before, repeatedly asking her if she still considered me her husband each time she offered money to soothe my distress. No, I shouldn’t say I was faking it. At first, I truly would throw the money back in her face. Back then, I’d still defiantly say money couldn’t buy love. I wanted my Elara, the Elara who had followed me since childhood, who used to sweetly call me ‘Brother Jackson.’ Later, I realized, a heart that had changed, had simply changed. Since it couldn’t be saved, I might as well make a huge profit. To compensate for our twenty years of shared history. When Eleanor’s car, meant to take me to turn myself in, pulled up downstairs, I feigned heartbreak while gracefully getting into the vehicle. It wasn’t until the navigation veered off the usual route, stopping in front of a secluded warehouse, that I suddenly realized something was wrong. “The driver today… it’s not Eleanor’s usual one, is it?” Just as I was about to jump out of the car, a handkerchief covered my mouth and nose from behind. When I next opened my eyes, I was tied to a chair. A somewhat familiar man stood before me. A phone was held to my ear, and I trembled as I spoke: “Eleanor Howard…” “Jackson? Is that really you!” Eleanor’s tone was momentarily chaotic. The man put the phone back to his own ear. “Did you hear that? If ten billion gold coins aren’t in my account by noon, in ten minutes, I’ll chop off one of his fingers.” “You dare kidnap my person?” Eleanor’s voice held suppressed anger. “Do you know who makes up Howard Security?” The man hesitated. “If you want to live, release him now, and wait quietly to be apprehended. I might consider letting you off the hook later.” “No!” Another man’s voice. My heart tightened. It was Eleanor’s assistant, Ashton Tipton. “Lady Howard, don’t call the authorities! He’s my brother!” Eleanor fell silent. “My brother never went to school. He worked hard to support my education. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I wouldn’t have met you, Lady Howard! “He’s just been through some tough times recently. He’s truly desperate. “If you’re going to report him, then… arrest me too!” “What nonsense are you talking about?!” Hearing Eleanor’s voice, I knew she was distressed. No one understood the subtle shifts in her tone better than I did. My shoulders slumped, and I leaned back against the chair. Sure enough, she conceded. “I won’t call the authorities, and my security team won’t bother you. Ten billion is acceptable. “But you must guarantee his safety.” The man smirked. “Money in hand, everything’s negotiable.” I sat in that chair for three hours, not feeling nervous at all. Ten billion wasn’t an impossible sum for Eleanor Howard to produce. I was only worried that she wouldn’t charge this amount to my account. If she later claimed that the ten billion intended for me was used for my ransom, I truly would go mad. Two hours before noon, Eleanor Howard had the money ready. “We agreed, money in the account, you release him. Otherwise, Howard Security won’t let you off easy.” Hearing Eleanor’s warning, the man scoffed. “Of course. I want the money. Bearing a life on my conscience does me no good.” “Alright, I’m transferring it to you now…” “Lady Howard!” It was Ashton’s voice again. “That luxury car I saw earlier has just been released! It’s the only one in the world! If we don’t pay now, someone else will buy it!” Eleanor Howard fell silent once more. I felt a surge of anxiety. “Eleanor Howard!” She paused, then spoke. “Jackson, wait a little longer. That car is his favorite designer’s farewell masterpiece, and it costs exactly ten billion. He’s had his eye on it for a long time.” “But I’m currently…” “Enough! Can’t you even wait an hour?!” Eleanor sounded impatient. “He’s waited three whole years for this car. Can’t you be less selfish?!” I glanced at the clock, nearing eleven, and gritted my teeth. Eleanor turned to the man. “Mr. Tipton, for this last hour, I hope you’ll keep your word and not harm him.” “Of course, as long as you can raise it before twelve.” “Of course.” The call ended just like that. My once-relaxed heart now felt a slight tension. The hands of the clock crept towards twelve, and I felt my impending death drawing closer with each tick. No. I shook my head. Ten billion was no trouble for Eleanor Howard. It was merely a re-allocation of funds. Just a few signatures. Thinking this, my taut muscles gradually relaxed again. But with three minutes left until twelve, I grew tense once more. No call came in. No transfer came in. The man was starting to look impatient too. Seeing his cold eyes, I could only offer a forced smile. “She’ll definitely get it. Don’t worry. We’ve known each other since we were five. Twenty years of friendship; she wouldn’t really refuse you.” “Jackson Hayes.” He spoke coldly, “I’m at the end of my rope. If I don’t get this money today, I’m dying with you.” I swallowed hard. “She wouldn’t… she’ll give it…” The TV on the wall interrupted with a news flash. The moment I saw the screen, my heart sank. 【Renowned Designer’s Final Masterpiece Sells Out Upon Release】 【Mystery Tycoon Spends Ten Billion for Beloved Partner】 It was… a live broadcast. Ashton Tipton sat in the exquisitely designed luxury car, looking like an international superstar. Eleanor Howard sat in the passenger seat, smiling and waving to the crowd with him. It created iconic images. Soon, Ashton’s brother, Caleb Tipton, saw the trending hot topic. The hour hand reached twelve. I swallowed. “Your brother has a ten billion luxury car, so actually… it’s like you have it too.” “Cut that out!” My neck was suddenly gripped. He frowned, looking at me. “It wasn’t easy for us brothers to get where we are today. I will never use my brother’s money. “Since time’s up, Jackson Hayes, I have no other choice.” My hand was violently yanked and slammed onto the table. My nerves instantly tightened. “Wait! Let me call her!” He frowned. I pleaded, “She must have… she must have forgotten. Let me call her. She’ll send the money quickly! “Forget ten billion, twenty billion… it’s even possible!” Caleb Tipton paused. Then suddenly smiled. “I have a better idea.” This time, Caleb made a video call. The moment Eleanor saw me, she frowned. “Wait a little longer. Ashton values this public appearance opportunity greatly. Don’t cause trouble randomly.” “I didn’t! I… ah!” A needle jabbed into my neck. My pupils instantly constricted. The next second, the nail of my pinky finger was brutally pulled off with pliers. “Jackson!” Eleanor’s eyes widened. My body convulsed uncontrollably. “Damn it… why does it hurt so much… it shouldn’t hurt this much, ahh!!” “Jackson!” “Lady Howard.” Caleb held my fingernail up to the camera. “I injected him with a serum that amplifies pain tenfold. Just pulling off a nail will make him wish for death.” “Do you want to die?!” Eleanor’s eyes were red. “Lady Howard, I told you, ten minutes, I cut off a finger. Twelve o’clock has already passed.” “No… don’t!” My hand was forcibly pressed onto the table. He was about to sacrifice my first finger. Eleanor panicked. “I’m paying now!” “Lady Howard, no!” It was… Ashton again! In the camera, Ashton looked at my hand in shock, then frowned. “Brother! You’ve gone too far!!” “Brother, I…” Caleb looked somewhat flustered. Ashton turned, pleadingly looking at Eleanor. “Lady Howard! You can’t give him the money!” Eleanor and I both froze. “No, Jackson can’t endure the pain.” “Still no!” Ashton was agitated. “Lady Howard, I didn’t expect my brother to go this far this time. If you give him the money, he’ll do it again! “This time it’s Mr. Hayes he’s kidnapped, and you’ll help me, Lady Howard, but what about later? If he kidnaps someone else and gets caught, I won’t have a brother anymore!” Eleanor fell into deep thought. “So, Lady Howard, I beg you, let me talk him out of it. He listens to me most. If he can turn over a new leaf this time, it won’t just save you, Lady Howard, but also me and my brother!” “Eleanor Howard, don’t listen to him!” I was in such pain I was almost insane. “His brother is already mad! No one can persuade him! “He just wants to see me suffer! That bastard!” “Mr. Hayes, you!” Ashton’s eyes instantly reddened. Eleanor shielded him. “You’re mad! He’s actively trying to save you! Is this how you speak to your savior? “You’re so self-centered, don’t assume everyone else is like you!” “Eleanor Howard, I…” Ashton cut me off. “Mr. Hayes, I’ll go persuade my brother in a bit. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Eleanor frowned. “Ashton is entirely focused on saving you, yet you slander him so much. Do you deserve him?” Then she hung up the phone directly. But just as I had said before, there was no way Ashton could persuade Caleb to back down. Not only did he not. After Caleb hung up with his brother, his gaze towards me became even more sinister. “My brother said you not only stole his woman, but you’ve repeatedly targeted him?” I trembled, begging him not to. But I could only watch as he clamped the pliers onto my finger. “I’ve reached the end of my rope. I’m willing to die. “But luckily, before I die, I can drag a bastard like you down with me!” “No!!” I fell into complete despair. Luckily, Ashton’s call interrupted his action. He answered, but it wasn’t Ashton on the screen; it was Eleanor Howard. “Jackson!” The moment she saw me, her eyes widened in disbelief.
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