Chapter 4
Two days later, Elena’s design won first place at the International Design Excellence Awards. Knox threw her a hug celebration party.
Under the crystal chandeliers, he stayed by Elena’s side the whole time–blocking drinks for her, smoothing out her
dress, being ridiculously gentle and attentive.
The guests were whispering among themselves, saying how good Mr. Knox was to his childhood sweetheart while being so cold to his wife. If it weren’t for Mara always crawling back to patch things up, this marriage would’ve ended ages ago.
Mara stood in the corner, swirling her champagne glass, tuning out all the gossip.
Halfway through the party, she slipped away alone to the man–made lake for some air. The night breeze was cool, clearing away some of the alcohol haze.
“What, finally can’t take it anymore?”
Elena’s voice came from behind her, dripping with triumphant smugness. She clicked over in her high heels, red lips
curving into a mocking smile: “If I were you, I would’ve had the dignity to get lost by now.”
Mara didn’t even bother looking at her: “Move.”
“Quit acting all high and mighty. You chased Knox for four years, been married three years, and still can’t get him to spare you a second glance. How pathetic.” Elena’s tone was pure mockery. “You wanna bet? Even if I pushed you in right now, he wouldn’t bat an eye.”
The moment she finished speaking, Mara felt a violent shove-
‘Splash!”
[ce–cold lake water instantly flooded her nose and mouth. She struggled to call for help but just gulped down more
water.
Through her blurry vision, she saw a figure frantically rushing over, jumping into the lake without hesitation.
‘Mara!!!”
Knox’s voice carried unprecedented panic as he swam toward her like a madman, his arms locking around her waist like a vise,
In her daze, Mara saw his eyes–the fear and desperation in them looked so real.
Elena, standing on the shore, was completely stunned. That Knox who was always cold to Mara had just jumped into the lake like he’d lost his mind. The way he held Mara was like he was protecting some precious treasure he’d almost
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99 Divorces I stor
Chapter 4
lost.
After they pulled her to shore, Knox knelt on the ground giving her mouth–to–mouth, his long fingers shaking uncontrollably. Only when she coughed up some water did he finally breathe again.
But the next second, his expression suddenly froze, like he’d just realized something. He quickly buried all emotion and went back to being cold and distant: “How do you fall in at a party?”
Mara sat on the ground soaking wet, but her voice was crystal clear: “I didn’t fall. Elena pushed me.”
Elena’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, shaking her head frantically: “Mara, I didn’t! How can you frame me like this?”
“Fine,” Mara laughed coldly, pulling out her phone with trembling hands. “Since you won’t admit it, let’s let the cops figure it out. Attempted murder should be enough to put you away for a while.”
The moment her finger touched the dial button, Knox grabbed her wrist.
“Enough.” His voice was low, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush her bones. “Elena didn’t mean it. Don’t blow this out of proportion.”
Mara’s head snapped up: “She almost killed me!”
“But you’re standing right here just fine!” Knox’s voice got sharper, his eyes narrowing in warning. “Stop making a
scene.”
Mara suddenly felt how absolutely ridiculous this all was. She knew Knox needed Elena as a tool to get a rise out of her, but for this sick game, he was willing to risk her life?
“I’m not making a scene.” She said each word deliberately, pressing 911 with determination. “I have to call the police.”
“I said enough!” Knox’s voice exploded as he snatched her phone away. “You’re not thinking straight. Go home and
cool off.”
Then he waved over his bodyguards: “Take her to the isolation room. She can come out when she comes to her
senses.”
As the bodyguards dragged her toward the isolation room, Mara fought back violently.
“Knox! Are you insane?” Her voice was hoarse from screaming. “She tried to kill me! You know damn well she did!”
When the isolation room door slammed shut, Mara’s pupils contracted sharply. The windowless room was barely three square meters, and darkness swallowed her like a tide.
“Let me out…” Her voice started shaking.
Her claustrophobia grabbed her by the throat like an invisible hand. She remembered when she was ten, how her
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99 Divorces 1 ofer 1 Married His Rival He Couldn’t Toucht
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Chapter 4
stepmother had locked her in the basement for three days and nights. That feeling of being abandoned by the whole world came crashing back after all these years.
Mara curled up in the corner, her nails digging deep into her palms. In the darkness, she could hear rats scurrying around, but she bit her lip hard and didn’t dare make a sound.
Time became a blur–could’ve been an hour, could’ve been a whole day. She refused all the food they brought, knocked the water cup to the floor.
The next day, when the isolation room door finally opened, the blinding light made Mara instinctively squeeze her eyes shut.
“Still gonna press charges?” Knox’s voice came from above.
She weakly lifted her head and saw the man’s silhouette backlit in the doorway. After just one night, he was still in his pristine suit, every detail immaculate. Meanwhile, she looked like a lunatic–hair a mess, completely wrecked.
Mara suddenly laughed, laughed until tears streamed down her face: “No more charges…”
Her voice was light as a feather: “I’m done with all of it.”
All she wanted now was freedom. Away from Elena, away from Knox, away from this soul–crushing prison.
Knox frowned at her strange reaction, an inexplicable unease stirring in his chest. But soon enough, he went back to
his cold expression: “Remember what you just said.”
He turned and left, missing the look of absolute resolve in Mara’s eyes.
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