Lauren was consumed by regret. She had spent millions on her son's wedding, but his wife, Sandra, was a venomous and avaricious woman. Simmering with rage, Lauren grabbed Sandra's hair and violently slammed her head against the wall, attempting to inflict serious injury. She screamed, "You bitch! Go to hell! Have we ever let you down? Our family gave you so much. Is this how you repay us?"

The snow-white wall was soon stained scarlet with Sandra's blood. A bruise bloomed on her forehead, and blood streamed down her face, leaving her terrifyingly injured.

Lauren's husband, Anthony Booth, intervened. "We can't beat her anymore," he said. "If she dies, we'll be held responsible. Just make her give back our money."

Lauren, finally reining in her fury, grabbed Sandra and shook her. "Did you hear that? Give back the money!"

Sandra's head swam; blood obscured her vision. Unmoved, Lauren slapped her hard. "Bitch, don't pretend to be dead!"

This slap partially roused Sandra. She whispered, "No money. I don't have" She had spent all her money trying to survive.

Lauren, believing Sandra was refusing, raised her hand to strike again. However, two men burst into the room, pushing her away before carrying Sandra out.

Lauren and Anthony, stunned, immediately gave chase. But the two men, clearly skilled, swiftly escaped down the stairs and into a waiting car, disappearing in seconds.

Lauren, collapsing to the ground, cried and slapped her thigh. "My money! Damn it! How will we live now?" Jordan, drunk and responsible for the disastrous contract he'd signed while unconscious, remained silent.

As the car sped away, Sandra, regaining consciousness, realized her rescuers were two subordinates she often berated and abused. Ironically, her "dogs" had proven the most loyal in her time of need.

A twitch played at the corner of her mouth. Before she could speak, a knife pressed against her neck. A chill ran down her spine.

One of the men sneered. "We've worked for you for days, enduring your abuse. A little reward isn't too much to ask, is it?"

"What what do you want?" Sandra's body stiffened.

"Nothing much. Just some remuneration. Sign here." He thrust a transfer document into her hand.

She saw that the "reward" comprised all the villas and stores she'd defrauded from the Booth family—everything she'd stolen. They intended to completely empty her.

"Are you crazy?" Sandra shouted.

"We've been disgusted by you for ages! Why the airs? You're a fool, played by Miss Hart. We should have done this this morning; we lost sixteen million dollars," one man retorted. The other shook his head in regret.

"You mean" Sandra asked incredulously, "Miss Hart arranged for you two to take all my money?"

"That's right," the man sneered. "But it's too late now. Sign, and we won't kill you. Otherwise"

The blade pressed closer before Sandra signed the contract with trembling hands. Instead of killing her, the men dumped her at a deserted intersection, leaving her bloodied and broken.

Suddenly, Sandra laughed maniacally. "Ha! It's so funny! Idiots! You're all idiots!"

Passersby, repelled by her appearance and erratic behavior, dismissed her as a deranged woman and left her alone.

Sandra lay paralyzed, her laughter eventually fading from exhaustion. She had started with nothing, schemed and struggled, and ended up with nothing. The absurdity of it all washed over her.

After a long time, she rose unsteadily and wandered aimlessly, eventually arriving at the entrance of Lovell School. It was almost noon; students would soon be leaving. She instinctively wanted to hide, to avoid being seen by former classmates in such a pathetic state.

Panicked, she turned to run, but saw Kenneth walking from the school gate. He was as handsome and gentle as ever. Once, she’d held his hand, walked beside him; now…

Shamed, she crouched behind some bushes, her heart pounding, recalling the past. Kenneth seemed to be waiting for someone, unaware of her presence. A lump formed in her throat; she yearned to embrace him, to confess her plight.

But then, she saw a beautiful girl emerge from the school, holding Kenneth's hand, smiling even more sweetly than she ever had. This was the same girl who’d been with Kenneth at her wedding.

Sandra gasped, her heart shattering. Kenneth had moved on; he and Melody were perfectly matched.

After a long time, she rose, realizing she had nowhere to go. She wandered the streets before seeking out the lawyer who had contacted her. "I confess to all my crimes, but please give me a thousand dollars. I want to look nice for my last moments."

Mr. Jackson was shocked. He saw the remnants of a dying young woman and agreed.

After recording her confession, Sandra bought a six-hundred-dollar dress, using the remainder on hair and makeup. Then, she went to find Kenneth.

Upon seeing him, she lunged forward. "Kenneth, shall we go on a date this weekend?" She smiled brightly, seemingly oblivious to Melody at his side.

"You…" Kenneth was stunned. He looked at the wounded, almost unhinged woman before him and a thought struck him: Sandra, are you crazy?