Where the Sea Took Her

Just for brushing against the hem of Eva Lawson, the heiress’s custom couture gown, Lucy Quinn's mother had her limbs broken, then thrown into the sea to die. The day Lucy dragged the arrogant heiress to court she thought that justice might finally be served. Eva was declared not guilty. Why? Because the defense attorney representing her was none other than Wyatt Grant, founder of the most untouchable law firm in River City, and Lucy Quinn’s husband. When the trial ended, the elegant and aloof man stepped down from the defense table and placed an apology letter in front of Lucy. "Lulu, sign it. You don’t want to be sued for defamation and end up in prison, do you?" His tone was calm and coaxing, but behind the lenses of his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze was cold as ice. Lucy, tears stubbornly clinging to her eyes, looked up at him and said with a trembling voice, "Why, Wyatt, Why?" Chapter 1 Lucy Quinn truly did not understand. She was his wife. He had once loved her so much that he would give up his entire inheritance and suffer through house imprisonment just so he could marry her, the housekeeper. Yet, after her mother's death, she had sobbed and begged him countless times. That morning was her 99th time kneeling by his side, threatening him with divorce, all to get him to drop the case. In the end, all he said was, "Lulu, don't force my hand!" Wyatt Grant untied his tie in annoyance. "Eva is different. She has pursued me for ten years. She even saved my life once. I must protect her, even if the enemy is my most beloved wife." While saying that, he unlocked his electronic tablet and showed Lucy the live stream that was happening. "I'll give you two minutes to think about it, Lulu. Even if you're not doing it for yourself, you should do it for your mother. Sign the papers, and I'll return your mother's ashes to you." Playing on the tablet were a few bodyguards holding a wooden urn over the sea. All they needed to do was to drop it… Tears fell from Lucy's face. She sobbed and said, "What are you doing?" Wyatt furrowed his brows. "Be a good girl. Don't waste my time. Could you bear to see your mother lost at sea forever?" "Wyatt Grant!" Lucy glared at Wyatt. She gritted her teeth so hard that the insides of her mouth were about to bleed. "I want a divorce." Wyatt did not budge at that tense standoff. "Lulu, you have 30 seconds." At that moment, Lucy's heart sank. How ironic that the man used to love her to death. Eight years ago, he fell in love with her at first sight at the Grant Estate. She was the caretaker and housekeeper of Wyatt's grandfather, Arthur Grant. They were from different worlds, but Wyatt had confessed his feelings for her more than a hundred times. Once, just because she did a double-take on a bouquet of bellflowers, he had changed the garden's roses into bellflowers overnight. When she accidentally sprained her ankle, he had reserved an entire floor of the hospital just for her. Back then, Lucy knew that there was someone who was also pursuing Wyatt. That woman was Eva Lawson, the heiress who grew up with Wyatt. She had pursued him for many years and loved him very much. However, Wyatt only had eyes for Lucy. "Lulu, you're the only one I love. I don't care if Eva's background and mine are similar. I despise her!" His family had forced him to give up on Lucy by confiscating his inheritance and shares. They even sent him to an island abroad. For 20 days, Wyatt went on a hunger strike to force his family's hand. His action also completely moved Lucy. Just like that, they got married. He had stuck to his promise and loved Lucy more than his life. Everything changed half a year ago. Eva, who had left the country, suddenly returned. This time, Wyatt's attitude toward Eva had changed entirely. He had canceled international meetings to pick Eva up from the airport personally. He even threw her a welcome-back party, to the extent that he did not return home for three days. When Lucy confronted him with an aggrieved gaze, he finally told her the truth, saying, "A year ago, I had an accident in Ingleland. Eva had saved my life, but ended up unconscious for a year. "Lulu, you're the only one I love, but she's just woken up. I have to repay this debt. One year. Give me a year to do it. Please?" Lucy initially believed Wyatt, until the night of the party. Her old condition flared up, and she was sent to the hospital to be resuscitated. Wyatt did not pick up his phone, no matter how many calls were made. In desperation, her mother went to the cruise where the party was, but she never returned. Everyone said that it was an accident, that her mother had killed herself. Even Wyatt, who coincidentally was not at the scene of the accident when it happened, believed it. However, that night after Lucy was resuscitated, she received a call. All she heard was chaos on the other end of the line mixed with Eva's reprimands and her mother's wailing in pain. Her mother was forced to jump into the sea! For the past six months, Lucy had blamed herself, constantly sobbing with grief. Finally, she managed to get a lead from one of the servers on the cruise. She had begged Wyatt to help her, yet in the criminal prosecution trial, he had undoubtedly chosen to stand on the opposing side, protecting the person who murdered her mother. He even used her mother's ashes to threaten her to admit that it was her mistake instead. At that very moment, Lucy looked at Wyatt as if he were the demon from hell. She was all out of hope and resigned to her fate. With a trembling hand, she signed the apology letter. "Are you happy now? Get them to come back-" Before she could finish her sentence, someone screamed. Eva clutched her head and collapsed on the defendant's bench. "Wyatt, help me! My head hurts again!" Wyatt frantically threw the tablet aside and rushed over to her. The countdown timer on the live stream ended. Since they did not receive Wyatt's order to stop, the bodyguards opened the lid of the urn… "No! I've already signed the letter! Wyatt, tell them to stop!" Lucy yelled maniacally, but the bodyguards would not listen to her. She wanted to pounce on Wyatt, but all he cared for was Eva. Even when he rushed over to her, he brutally elbowed Lucy, knocking her to the floor. Her forehead knocked onto the corner of the table; tears fell onto the tablet. It was too late. The ashes vanished into the sea, carried away by the cold sea breeze. Lucy's heart broke into a million pieces. She blamed herself. Her mother did not like the cold or the sea, yet she was trapped forever in the depths of the ocean. "Mom, I'm sorry…" Lucy sobbed. Regret washed over her. She regretted falling for Wyatt and marrying him. She regretted everything. Lucy suddenly saw black. Before she lost her consciousness, she heard Wyatt saying anxiously, "Eva, hold on! As long as you get well, I'll promise you anything!" Chapter 2 When Lucy came around, she was in the hospital. A young assistant lawyer stood by the side of the bed, saying to her in a helpless tone, "Ms. Quinn, the case has been settled. You need to try to let it go. Your health is what matters the most now." Lucy came to her senses. Ignoring that a needle was in her arm connected to the IV drip, she immediately sat up and went through her bag. "Can you take a look and see if this document is valid?" she asked, her voice trembling, as she handed the document to the assistant lawyer. She soon received her answer. "Ms. Quinn, your husband has signed the papers. All we need is your signature. You'll be able to get the divorce settled in a month." That morning, she had taken the papers and knelt in front of Wyatt. Perhaps he was rushing to head out, or he did not believe she would leave him. He was so sure that the papers were fake. So, he signed them without even looking. He never would have guessed that she meant every word she said. Lucy did not want to wait a single moment longer. She pulled the needle out of her arm and headed straight to the courthouse to hand in her documents. Once settled, she headed to the beach. She knelt under the cool drizzle and said, "Mom, I will stay in a place by the sea. I'll always be with you." Her only reply was the sound of the cold breeze. After a long time of kneeling, she wiped her tears and made a call. "Hello, I'd like to arrange a…staged death and rescue." She stuttered, yet with a determined tone, saying, "It'll happen in a month. I want my death to be a murder. I'll arrange for the place of death. I need you to give me a new identity. Once you rescue me, you'll send me abroad." She would not only get a divorce, but she would also seek justice for herself. She would give Wyatt a surprise that he would never forget. Once Lucy settled everything, she returned home. When she arrived, it was already nighttime. The lights in the living room were still on. Wyatt was feeding Eva chicken soup, spoon by spoon. "Wyatt, I've uploaded the apology letter online." Eva leaned on Wyatt's shoulder and said, "What Lucy did to me was slanderous. She needs to be taught a lesson about being bullied online. Don't interfere in this." Wyatt gulped, but then he replied, "Okay. She deserved it." Lucy suddenly remembered the criticism she had received online. They said that her mother deserved to die, that she was a terrible housekeeper, that she was a nobody… Her heart felt a jab of pain, but she entered the living area with a neutral expression. "Where did you go?" Wyatt was stunned to see Lucy's pale face. He softened his tone and asked, "How did you hurt your forehead?" Lucy ignored him. Eva chimed in, "Lucy, you're back. Just in time, too. I've brought you presents. Come quickly and have a look." Wyatt cleared his throat, looking a little hesitant. "Lulu, Eva had been unconscious for a long time. She hasn't fully recovered yet. She'll be staying here for the time being. Please look after her. "She's lactose intolerant. She can't have cold food. She'll need at least 10 hours of sleep. Her fruits need to be juiced…" Every word was a jab into Lucy's heart. She chuckled in disbelief. "What? Are you asking me to look after her?" "Be good, Lucy. Just let things go. Let the past be the past. You were once a housekeeper for my family. I have faith in you…" Wyatt trailed off. On the dining table was a list of things to look out for in caring for Eva. There were 267 items on the list. On the floor lay many bags from different luxury brands, but all of the items inside were either used or torn. The so-called gifts Eva gave her were basically trash. Lucy suddenly recalled how, a few years ago, one of Wyatt's friends had called her a housekeeper, and Wyatt instantly lost it. He immediately cut ties with them and stopped a multi-million-dollar project. "Lulu is my wife! An insult to her is an insult to me!" Yet, at that moment, he was the one insulting her, asking her to be a caretaker of her enemy. His promises meant nothing. She no longer believed him. Lucy held back her tears. That was the last 30 days. She would take it all in. Little did she expect that night, Eva barged into their room, saying that she had had a nightmare. Wyatt had just finished his shower. "Wyatt, I can't sleep on my own," she whined in a feeble yet coquettish tone. She got in the bed and hugged Wyatt, who was topless. "The mattress in the guest room is too hard. I'm scared. I want you to sleep with me." Wyatt furrowed his brows, but Lucy knew he was caving in. He was so worried for Eva that he scooped her into his arms right in front of Lucy. He turned to look at Lucy. "Lulu, Eva hasn't suffered like this in her life. Can you...go to another room?" At that moment, Lucy saw a flash of smugness flicker across Eva's face. Lucy pursed her lips and got out of bed, taking her pillow. "Since Ms. Lawson likes it so much. She can have the bed." Not only the bed, but she could also have the man. Lucy did not want either, anymore. Chapter 3 For the next few days, Eva quickly regained her energy thanks to Wyatt's nightly accompaniment. She would get bored sometimes and call a few BFFs over to have afternoon tea. "Eva, Wyatt must really care for you. The year when you were unconscious, he constantly went to Ingleland. He even said that as long as you woke up, he would get a divorce, just for you!" Lucy coincidentally walked past, so she overheard that. It had stung. Since Wyatt was not around, Eva could not be bothered to put on her act. She said, "Lucy, your coffee is disgusting." Lucy went over. She was about to take the coffee away when one of Eva's friends grabbed her by the wrist. "What sort of attitude is that? Any of Eva's caretakers who make disgusting coffee will have to kneel and apologize! Don't you dare pretend!" she rebuked Lucy after receiving a nudge from Eva. Before Lucy could react, the other person grabbed her by the hair and poured hot coffee on her. "Stop it!" The next second, a man's voice interrupted them. Wyatt entered home just in time to see that scene. He ran over and pulled Lucy behind him. "Who said you could bully her?" Eva's eyes instantly reddened. She clutched her tummy and yelled, "Wyatt, no! Please don't blame my friend! She was only helping me! Lucy deliberately added milk to my coffee. My stomach hurts!" Wyatt was suddenly taken aback. Then, he looked at Lucy with an icy, inquisitive gaze. Milk? "Lucy, I told you that she's lactose intolerant!" How comical. All it took was just a lie from Eva to stop him from protecting her. "I didn't do it!" Lucy's eyes stung while coffee dripped from her hair. "She's pretending." However, her explanation was overpowered by Eva's flawless acting and her friends' exaggerated embellishments. Wyatt was so furious he shattered the coffee table. He went and scooped Eva up while reprimanding Lucy, saying, "Lucy, stay here and think about what you've done!" Eva was clearly unhappy about it. She cried even more. "I'm not going to the hospital. No one has ever bullied me like this! I can't take it anymore. Wyatt, just let me die in pain." Eva would not go to the hospital until Wyatt called his bodyguards. "Lock Lucy up in the cellar!" The cellar was a punishment for the bodyguards who made huge mistakes in the Grant family. The room was tiny and dark, and also filled with unknown insects. Lucy resisted while the bodyguards dragged her away. "No! I'm not going!" No matter how she yelled, Wyatt would not listen. He had already taken Eva out of the house without looking back. Lucy cowered in the corner of the cellar for 24 hours, bearing through the itch and pain on her skin as the insects crawled all over her. It was driving her mad! No matter how she cried or yelled, the bodyguard standing outside would not budge. Before she lost all consciousness, she sensed a huge red patch of bumps on her body. She was in so much pain that she felt numb. Tears streaked down her face as she shut her eyes in despair. "Lulu, wake up." A familiar voice brought her back to her senses. She opened her eyes to see the living room chandelier above her. Wyatt sighed in relief to see her coming around. He said softly, "I know you're mad, Lulu, but what you did was wrong. No matter what, you shouldn't have hurt Eva." Lucy could not help but snicker. "And you believe her just like that?" Wyatt furrowed his brows, somewhat annoyed. "Enough. I've already gotten a priest to pray for your mother by the sea. Stop causing trouble anymore. Eva's situation is more important right now. "She was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth. You had truly frightened her this time. The doctors were unable to determine what was wrong with her. She couldn't sleep the entire night. "The priest we called said that the person who did her wrong has to make her a protective bracelet made of thorns…" Lucy was stunned. Wyatt waited for her to wake up just because of Eva? Chapter 4 Lucy said with a trembling hoarse voice, "Wyatt, can't you see the state I'm in?" She raised her arm, covered in red patches. It was a terrifying sight to behold. Wyatt was silent for a moment before saying, "Eva hasn't rested for an entire day! The bracelet must be done tonight!" "What if I say no?" Lucy's eyes reddened, yet she had no more tears to cry. "Are you going to lock me up in the cellar again, letting those insects bite me to death?" Wyatt could not bear to see Lucy like that, so he shut his eyes helplessly. "Lulu, just bear with it for a while. Once Eva has completely recovered, once I've repaid her for saving my life, we'll be back to before," he said. Then, he placed a few thick thorny branches next to her and said, "If you're not going to do it, the bodyguards will make you. Apparently, it's best to use human blood to make these protective bracelets." He left, slamming the door shut behind him. A few bodyguards approached Lucy. "Mrs. Grant, please don't waste any time. Mr. Grant said that these thorns are to be picked up with your fingers. Every bead needs to be sanded down as well." That night, Lucy did not rest at all. Her fingers were pricked by thorns and bled by the torment of the rough sandpaper. Finally, in the early hours of morning, Eva smiled in satisfaction. "Wyatt, the bracelet sure is useful. My head stops hurting the moment I put it on." Wyatt replied gently, "That's great. Good girl. Go to sleep. I'll be here." Lucy slowly curled up in the corner of the bed, touching her injured fingers, watching the blood drip onto the bed. She chuckled self-deprecatingly as tears fell. Once, just a prick from the rose was more than enough for Wyatt to feel guilty, yet at that moment, he forced her to make a bracelet with her blood-stained fingers to please another woman. How could they possibly go back to before? Her love for him was all gone. The next day, Eva had slept well due to the bracelet. She was in such a good mood that she took Wyatt out on a trip. Lucy only found out from social media that they had gone to Grecia to see the sunset. The photos were against the white walls of Sandorine, with Eva holding Wyatt's hand. There was also a caption. [In the tenth year of liking you, I finally got what I wanted…] Looking at the photo, Lucy's heart felt empty, but surprisingly, it was no longer painful. She took her wedding ring off. Then, she went to the garden and pulled out all the bellflowers by their roots, throwing them into the bin. After doing all that, she opened her laptop and logged onto her social media, filled with insults and criticism. She set a post to be published at a specific time. [When this letter goes out, I'm no longer around…] She had taken a long time to write her final note. When she finally finished, she heard a car entering the yard. Then, Wyatt hurriedly rushed inside. "Why did you destroy all the bellflowers? Lulu, I thought you liked them. I planted them for you all those years ago." Somehow, his face was a little pale. There was also a little blood on his sleeves. Lucy looked at him calmly as she closed her laptop. "The roots are rotten. Just plant something else in the future." Wyatt was relieved to hear her mention the future. "Alright, I'll plant something else for you." Chapter 5 One evening, when Wyatt had just returned, there was a charity gala among the wealthy. Wyatt and Lucy were among the guests attending. Before heading to the venue, they dropped by a salon. Wyatt personally got out of the car to pick Eva up. She was in a million-dollar custom-made couture gown and a bag encrusted with diamonds. She stood there, refusing to move. Wyatt opened the back passenger seat door and hesitantly said, "Lulu, can you…" Before he could finish, Lucy quietly got out of the car and sat in the front passenger seat next to the driver. The gala was held in a private estate. The lobby of the main hall was brightly lit with chandeliers. When Eva appeared next to Wyatt with her hands around his arms, they immediately became the center of attention. A group of heiresses instantly surrounded them. "Eva, Mr. Grant is so good to you! You're the first to wear this custom-made gown!" "Yes! I heard that he managed to win this gown from a Parysian tycoon! He even got himself hurt by racing with the other person!" So, Wyatt got hurt because he tried to win the gown for Eva. Eva's eyes reddened. "Don't bring that up. It hurts me so much to think how much he had bled. I had just casually mentioned that I liked the dress, and he…" "Haha! He clearly loves you so much that he's willing to sacrifice his life!" Someone swept Lucy a glance and said, "Some people think that they could be noble just because they wore some stupid gown from five seasons ago. They can't even compare to you!" Lucy looked at the gown she was wearing. Wyatt had prepared the gown for her. She clenched her fists tightly. Halfway through the gala, a charity auction was held. Wyatt would bid on everything that Eva wanted, even those that she barely had any interest in. All so that he could boost her ego. The only thing that Eva truly wanted was snatched by another buyer. It was an emerald ring. She sniffled and looked at Wyatt in an aggrieved glance, tugging on his sleeves, saying, "Wyatt, I really like that ring. I want it so much I won't be able to eat anything if I don't get it tonight." So, Wyatt went to look for the buyer after the auction. "Mr. Chapman, why don't you name your price? There's no limit." Brandon Chapman snickered. "Mr. Grant, I'm sure you know what I want. I don't care about money. I've been having an artist's block lately. I need a model. Why don't…" Lucy unintentionally bumped into their conversation when she was heading to the ladies' room. "Your wife. I like her very much. If she can be my model, I'll sell the ring at the same price to you." Wyatt's gaze darkened. "I'll think about it." Lucy's heart sank. What the hell did he mean by that? Brandon Chapman was infamous among the wealthy circle for having a perverted fetish. He was a lover of photography, but his subjects were usually… Lucy shuddered and left. Soon after, Wyatt caught hold of her in the corner of the venue. "Lulu, I have something to discuss with you." He ingratiatingly handed her a glass of cocktail he had made for her. "As you can see, Eva's situation has gotten much better. She'd be able to move out soon, but…she really wants the ring tonight. The buyer said that as long as you'd be his model, he'd give me the ring. Perhaps…" "No! Impossible!" Lucy shoved him away. "Wyatt, who the hell do you think I am?" Lucy tried to suppress the rage in her and downed the cocktail in one go. She had just left the venue when she started to feel dizzy and fell to the ground. Something was wrong with the cocktail that she had just drunk. As she was losing consciousness, she felt herself scooped up by Wyatt, and she heard him say, "I'm sorry, Lulu. This is the last time." Chapter 6 The spotlight suddenly lit up with a loud click, shining on Lucy so brightly she could barely open her eyes. She was lying on the ground, without anything on her body, in a completely lightproof room. She instantly felt the chills. She panicked so much she covered her hands in front of her chest, but she was feeling so weak she could barely get up. "Ms. Quinn, you sure are a beauty, especially through my lens." The man behind the curtain sniggered, aiming the camera at Lucy. "You pervert! I'm going to call the police! What you're doing is illegal!" Lucy yelled in despair. "Oh? What are you going to do? Sue me? Or are you going to sue your husband?" Brandon snickered. "You're in my estate. I'm just letting you experience being a model, all in the name of art. I've promised Wyatt that other than taking photos of you, I won't touch you. Unless you have other needs, then, I'll…" "Get lost!" Lucy could no longer hold back her tears. She lay there on the soft fabric, stripped bare, like a helpless offering about to be sacrificed. Brandon was merciless. "Yes, go on! You look even more mesmerizing when you cry." The flashes of the camera were like knives jabbing into her heart. A long time later, the flashes finally stopped. Lucy could not remember how she managed to put on her clothes and get out of the room. She left. Every step felt like humiliation, heavy and slow. Brandon smirked. "Ms. Quinn, I have shot countless women. You're the first whose husband sent you to me on a platter." Lucy clutched the doorknob so tightly her knuckles turned white. She knew it was not the time to fight. She said with a self-deprecating yet firm tone, "I'm divorced. He's no longer my husband." Then, she shut the door. Lucy could not help but shiver. She hugged herself to try to calm herself down. At that moment, the gala downstairs was about to end. She walked out of the hall to hear a loud rumble in the sky. Then, the skies were lit with fireworks that spelled some words. [Eva, Happy Birthday!] It was a surprise that Wyatt had prepared for Eva. It was past midnight, which was Eva's birthday. In the garden, Wyatt stood under the sky brightly lit with fireworks. He affectionately said, "Happy birthday, Eva. Whether it be gowns or rings, I'll give you anything you want." Then, he opened a ring box in front of her. It was the emerald ring that he had exchanged with Brandon for Lucy. The crowd cheered. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Wyatt did not react, but Eva had tiptoed… At that moment, Lucy felt a deep-seated disgust. She bent down and puked so hard that tears fell. All that was left was the resentment in her heart. When she got up, a drizzle started. Wyatt was holding Eva's hand, leading her to the car. Soon, the car left the estate. Lucy received two messages from him. [Lulu, I've left with Eva. I'll get a car to pick you up.] [I know you've been suffering. This is the last month. I'll make it up to you.] Lucy read the messages calmly. She did not wait for the car to arrive. Instead, she started walking under the rain. Chapter 7 When Lucy returned home, it was in the middle of the night. A cake with its candles blown was placed on the living room table, while Wyatt was with Eva, opening her presents. Seeing Lucy completely soaked from head to toe, Wyatt was suddenly taken aback. "Lulu, you… Didn't I send a car to pick you up?" With furrowed brows, he quickly picked up a towel, wanting to wipe Lucy down, but Lucy merely glared at him. She raised her hand without any hesitation and slapped him. Right at the exact moment, Eva rushed over and placed herself between Lucy and Wyatt. Slap! The slap landed on Eva's face. She screamed as she fell into Wyatt's arms, sobbing, looking extremely feeble. A red handprint appeared on her cheek. "Eva, are you alright?" Wyatt hugged her worryingly. He checked up on her, his fingers trembling. He lost it when he touched the red handprint on Eva's cheek. He threw the towel and yelled, "Lucy, you've gone mad!" The towel landed on Lucy's head so hard that she almost fell. "Wyatt, I was wrong about you," Lucy said self-deprecatingly while trying to hold back her tears. "You would trade me off for some stupid ring? You disgust me!" Wyatt was stunned, silent with a look of guilt on his face. Eva stood in front of him and opened her arms wide, saying with a sob, "I won't allow you to say that about Wyatt! If you're mad, you come at me!" What an award-winning-worthy act. The guilt on Wyatt's face instantly vanished. He scooped Eva up. "It's alright. Let me handle this." Then, he glared at Lucy. "Those photos would only appear in the auction half a year later. By then, I'll buy them back at any cost! But you should never hit Eva!" Half a year? She would be gone by then. Lucy smiled self-mockingly. She heard Wyatt say to her before he headed upstairs, "If you don't want to get arrested and charged for hitting Eva, you'll kneel in the courtyard right now!" As the rain grew heavier, the doctor's car pulled into the mansion. The headlights flared, casting shadows. There, Lucy knelt, motionless, under the rain, under the watch of a few bodyguards. Two hours later, two figures were standing by the window of the master bedroom, looking down at the courtyard. "Wyatt, Lucy's such a poor thing," Eva said coquettishly, but more with a mockery of a winner. "My birthday party will be pushed back a few days, since I can't be seen with my face like this. Why don't we invite Lucy along? She hasn't seen the yacht that you've given me." Wyatt's face was in the dark. "Alright. You can arrange it. Eva, I'm sorry I didn't protect you." Lucy, who overheard their conversation, sighed. Yes, the Wyatt who used to care for her was gone a long time ago. The yacht? Alright, then. She would settle everything right then and there. After kneeling the entire night, Lucy's knees were covered in bruises. It still hurt when she walked after a few days. She limped all the way to the courthouse to finalize the divorce. When she returned to the mansion, a car was already waiting for her. "Ma'am. Mr. Grant has told me to take you to Ms. Lawson's birthday party." Lucy placed one of the divorce decrees by the head of the bed in the master bedroom. Then, she took her wedding ring, which she had not worn in a while, before being escorted to the party. Gifts of all sizes were piled into a mountain on the deck of the luxurious yacht. A champagne tower sparkled under the lights while impeccably dressed servers weaved through the crowd. "Mr. Grant, you sure take good care of Eva! You wouldn't even let her drink when it's her turn!" By the long table, a group of heirs and heiresses were playing spin-the-bottle with Eva. When Lucy arrived, the bottle was aimed at her coincidentally. "What a coincidence! Whoever the bottle chooses would have to be punished!" Chapter 8 Lucy realized something was off. She immediately refused, saying, "I won't play such games!" She had just taken two steps when one of the heirs stood up and slapped her. Everyone bawled in laughter. "She deserves it for hitting Eva!" Eva laughed innocently. "Lucy, don't mind them. We're just playing." Wyatt glared at her before spinning the bottle again, saying, "Let's continue!" At that moment, Lucy finally understood why she was called to the party. It seemed kneeling for an entire night under the rain was not enough! Since she had slapped Eva, Wyatt would make her pay for it in public. Thus, the bottle had landed on her every single time. After ten slaps, the bodyguard finally let go of his clutches on her. Lucy felt her ear buzzing. She touched her face. It was swollen. Suddenly, Eva said coquettishly, "Wyatt, you promised to make me a cake." Wyatt smiled at her dotingly and got up. "Wait for me. I'll head to the kitchen." Before he left, he swept Lucy a glance without saying anything. Once he had left, Eva was no longer the weak and gentle character that she put on. "How's that, Lucy Quinn? How does it feel being slapped?" Lucy ignored her provocation. She smiled nonchalantly and left. She knew that Eva, who already had the taste of victory, would surely follow suit. Sure enough, when Lucy was at the top level of the yacht, she heard the sound of high heels clicking behind her. "Eva Lawson, do you really think you've won?" Lucy suddenly said, stopping right in front of the railings. She chuckled. "You know, Wyatt said that once you've recovered, he has fully paid off his debt to you. You'll be kicked out of my home." "Shut up!" No one had ever provoked Eva like that. "You're just a lowly housekeeper. You think you're my competition?" Eva approached Lucy when Lucy suddenly turned and grabbed her by the collar. "This happened to my mother, too, right? That night? All she did was touch your gown and you…" Lucy trailed off with a catch in her throat. However, her pain had lit up the flames of Eva's maliciousness. "Yes. You're right. She had accidentally touched my gown, but she wouldn't kneel and apologize. She's your mother, so I thought of teaching her a lesson. "I bet you didn't know that both her hands were broken and her mouth was gagged, so she couldn't even scream. Imagine how miserable she looked. "She spilled her blood to the sea right on this very deck. By the way, I wanted to break her right foot, too, but she struggled so hard to survive that she fell overboard and ended up dead…" Lucy glared at Eva with hatred. "You're a murderer!" Eva snickered viciously. "So what? Wyatt believed me! He even protected me in court!" Lucy's grip on Eva's collar tightened. "Don't you forget. I'm Mrs. Grant! Wyatt will never divorce me! As long as I'm alive, I will be Mrs. Grant forever!" That instantly lit up a murderous rage in Eva. She grabbed Lucy by the neck and tightened her grip so much that Lucy's face was flushing. Lucy stuttered, "L...let me go! A...are you trying to kill me? As long as I'm alive, don't think of…" Eva slammed Lucy against the railings so hard that Lucy felt numbness on her back. Her wedding ring slipped and fell onto the deck. Half of Lucy's body was beyond the deck. She suddenly lost her balance at three stories high and fell into the sea. The lively party on the second floor had drowned the sounds of her fall. The moment she touched the cold, icy waters, she strangely felt a sense of warmth. The sea was where her mother once was, so she was not afraid. She would not cry. The moment she shut her eyes, the second button on her gown flashed a tiny red light. Inside was a hidden camera. The truth that was buried in the sea would eventually see daylight…