The night was deep.
Gu Ningyue felt dizzy watching the shameless couple kissing in front of her, as if a large hand was tightly gripping her heart, causing her voice to tremble with pain: "No, this can't be true... Today is my birthday, you must be playing a prank on me to give me a surprise, right?"
Tears streamed down her pale face, smudging her dark eyeliner, making her look even more disheveled.
"Gu Ningyue, you're really so stupid it's disgusting!" The boy in a suit, who usually appeared genteel, now shed his usual gentleness, his eyes filled with an undisguisable distaste that shocked her: "In my heart, there always was only Wanwan! If it weren't for the considerable inheritance your long-dead mother left you, do you think I'd look at a country bumpkin like you? Stop dreaming! You're not even fit to carry my shoes!"
Gu Ningyue took a few steps back and collapsed to the ground, her expression starting to blur: "Didn't I treat you well? I've never been stingy with my mother's money for you, why, why are you doing this to me..."
All of this is an illusion, it must be because she forgot to take her medicine today, that's why she's hallucinating! It must be!
"Do you think that small amount of money is enough to dismiss beggars? As soon as you're dead, the billion-dollar inheritance your mother left you will all belong to me and Mingchen!" The enchanting girl's lips curled into a charming smile, seemingly dissatisfied with her current state, speaking more sharply and piercingly: "Oh, by the way, the last million in your account was taken by Xiao Heng to pay off a gambling debt! But unfortunately, it wasn't enough, so he used your identity to borrow another 700,000!"
Gu Ningyue's tear-streaked face was filled with anger and hurt, "You all! I—I'm going to tell Dad!"
She struggled to stand up, but a wave of sharp pain instantly spread throughout her body.
The next moment, before she could react, her eyes rolled over, and she fainted once more onto the ground.
"Brother Mingchen, is this drug really safe?"
"Don't worry, this drug was brought out from the lab by someone I know. Even if a forensic expert investigates, they won't find anything! Moreover, now everyone knows she has mental issues, so if she falls ill and takes the wrong medicine, no one will find it surprising!"
"Hmm, this bitch is finally dead, now we no longer have to sneak around!"
"Let's leave first! The banquet is about to start..."
As the door slowly closed, the woman on the floor lost consciousness as well...
After a violent impact, in the pitch-black depths of the ocean, the suffocating feeling finally drained all strength from the struggling woman, causing her to sink gradually into the abyss.
She didn't know how much time had passed when the bright light finally made her slowly open her eyes.
In the luxurious room, the white curtains fluttered with the wind, pulling her chaotic thoughts back to reality.
The cruise ship hit an iceberg; even she, a top-level assassin trained by Z country, wasn't spared.
But now, why was she here?
Looking at the reflection of an unfamiliar face in the distant mirror, countless memories not belonging to her flooded her mind.
Gu Ningyue, the eldest daughter of the Gu Family.
Her biological mother left her a substantial inheritance and passed away, allowing a mistress and her two illegitimate children to rise to power successfully.
Unfortunately, the original owner was too well-protected, failing to see through the malicious siblings who pretended to be kind-hearted.
She was first set up to become the 'mentally disturbed' person in everyone's eyes, thus being completely marginalized in the upper class. Then her fiancé was taken, and all her funds were also taken to pay off the gambling debts of Gu Wanwan's brother, which wasn't enough, and she even incurred a debt of 700,000 on herself!
Today, on Gu Ningyue's 23rd birthday banquet, instead of enjoying the limelight, she was sent to her death by her fiancé with a poisoned drink.
At this moment, the dull pain from her chest reminded her that she had replaced this foolish girl to live on.
She slowly stood up and went to the dressing table, gently wiping off the smudged makeup on her face.
Gu Ningyue, is it? Rest assured, since I've taken over your body, I will make those who owe you pay back what they owe!
Half an hour later, in the hall filled with guests, just as Mr. Gu was about to lose his temper, a figure appeared at the entrance of the hall.
Wavy brown hair lay quietly behind her shoulders, and the black, exquisite long dress further accentuated her originally graceful figure.
Her flawless face carried a bit of allure amid the innocence, like a silently blooming mandala in the night, exuding endless fragrance and beauty, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
"The Gu Family's eldest Miss is so beautiful!"
"What's the use of being beautiful? Don't you know? I heard that after her mother died, she suffered from mental issues."
"Yes, indeed, painting herself like a demon every day. It's a shame with that face!"
"Poor Young Master Ye! He's actually engaged to a psycho!"
Listening to the whispering gossip, a trace of coldness flashed through Gu Ningyue's eyes.
The original believed in that dog of a man, Ye Mingchen's, words, saying her heavy makeup looked best, which was actually just part of the conspiracy by the Gu Wanwan siblings!
Seeing Ye Mingchen and Gu Wanwan's faces turn nearly pitch black with shock and embarrassment, Gu Ningyue felt a bit pleased. Can't handle it already? The good show is just beginning!
Gu Zheng, seeing Gu Ningyue arrive, was seemingly accustomed to his daughter's various behaviors and didn't overly criticize her for being late, "Today's your birthday banquet, go up and say a few words! Remember, don't talk nonsense!"
Gu Ningyue casually glanced at Ye Mingchen and Gu Wanwan beside her, her mouth slightly curved: "Don't worry, Dad, I will!"
Her response was calm, with no emotional fluctuation.
Turning around, she ascended the central steps, Gu Ningyue's jade-like fingers held the microphone, her voice as gentle as the first ray of spring sunlight: "Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend my 23rd birthday banquet. To show my gratitude for your attendance, I will keep it short: today, I want to announce the annulment of my engagement with Young Master Ye, Ye Mingchen! I hope you all will bear witness for me!"
"Ning Yue! What are you saying!" Gu Zheng leaped forward to snatch the microphone, his eyes nearly spitting fire: "What madness are you up to again!"
Gu Ningyue smiled while looking at Gu Zheng in front of her, though the smile didn't reach her eyes, appearing ice-cold: "Dad, don't rush. I'm not annulling the engagement because I'm sick, but because Ye Mingchen betrayed me. He likes Wanwan. How can I, as the elder sister, take away the love of my sister's heart? After all, she suffered enough while being outside all those years, I truly can't bear it!"
In just a few words, she laid bare the facts of Ye Mingchen's infidelity and Gu Wanwan being an illegitimate daughter in front of everyone.
The next moment, Gu Ningyue gently pressed a switch, and decadent music instantly reverberated throughout the hall.
On the big screen, two sweaty bodies intertwined fervently, causing the crowd to erupt instantly.
"My God! How disgusting!"
"As expected, the daughter of a mistress really has no shame! Even her own brother-in-law she seduces!"
"It's mutual consent; being together with a psycho, Young Master Ye probably couldn't stand it long ago!"