The Gold Digger's Final Price

Everyone in our circle knew I was a professional gold digger, that I married Julian Thorne purely for money. He saw me as a stand-in, and I saw him as an ATM. Until Julian's idealized stepsister, Chloe Thorne – the woman he truly loved – returned to the States. I, who was supposed to quietly step aside, suddenly found myself a little reluctant to let go. After all, a handsome and generous sugar daddy isn't easy to find. Just as I was trying to figure out how to desperately cling on, I walked in on Julian prying the gemstone right off my mother's ring to please Chloe. It was my mother's only memento. Julian looked at my suddenly pale face and impatiently pulled out his checkbook. "Name your price. I'll pay you double." Seeing his cold, detached eyes, I instantly sobered up. Oh, human emotions. Best to avoid pointless sentimentality and focus on the all-powerful gold. I immediately looked up, a sweet smile on my face. "Triple, how about that?" Julian paused. Then, as if he'd expected it, he scoffed and shook his head. His pen swiftly scribbled a larger number on the checkbook, tearing the check off with a sharp rip, and holding it out to me. "Five million." "That old ring of yours was worth at most fifty thousand. I'm giving you ten times that. Enough?" That many zeros on a check? I'd only ever seen that in Wall Street movies. I took it, my eyes crinkling into crescent moons from my smile. "Enough! More than enough!" Seeing my delighted expression, Chloe, who was holding the freshly-pried gemstone, felt a knot in her stomach. She had deliberately come to spite me today. She knew if she commented on how beautiful the main stone on my dressing table ring was, Julian would absolutely pry it off for her. When I walked in on the scene, I'd break down and scream like a bitter, resentful wife. Then, she could play the innocent victim, making Julian despise me even more, maybe even kicking me out on the street. But Chloe had no idea I'd be so easily bought off. She couldn't help but raise her voice, furious, and accused me: "Aurora Stone, are you really that materialistic?" "Eleanor said this ring was your mother's only memento. You're so cold and callous to your own parents, how much genuine affection could you have for Julian? As for this worthless rock… here! Take it back!" "Anything that belongs to someone like you, I wouldn't touch it. It's disgusting!" The gemstone hit the floor at my feet, rolling a few times, picking up tiny scratches. Julian frowned almost imperceptibly at Chloe's aggressive gesture. But instead of getting angry, I simply bent down, picked it up, and blew off the dust. I calmly spoke. "Chloe, there's something Eleanor probably didn't tell you." "My mother was a human trafficker. The first child she ever sold was me. Years later, when she saw I'd made something of myself, she tried to 'reclaim' me. She eagerly bought this expensive ring as a gift, hoping to get me back." "I refused and immediately called the police. She was sentenced to death and executed years ago." With that, I tucked the gemstone into my pocket and gave Chloe an incredibly bright smile. "So, exchanging this trinket for five million dollars? That's a steal! But since you don't like it, Chloe, I guess I'm just getting a freebie." "Thank you, Chloe!" Chloe was so choked up by my words, she couldn't speak. I, however, was delighted to see her squirm. I adopted the hostess's air and continued to provoke her. "Chloe, you just got back from your trip to the States, and you must be exhausted. I had Eleanor tidy up the guest room for you. You should get some rest." Then, I turned to Julian, giving him a lingering, seductive look. Flirtatiously, I said, "Well, Julian, I'm heading back to our room now." "I'll be waiting for you in the master suite." As I turned to leave, I could almost hear Chloe grinding her teeth in fury behind me. Sigh. I'm a professional gold digger. Don't challenge my livelihood with your petty games. Back in the master suite, the shattered ring setting Julian had pried apart was still on the dressing table. I pulled the gemstone from my pocket and placed it beside it. I sighed softly, then dug out some glue, trying to reassemble it. My birth mother sold me to a family who couldn't have children. Forty thousand dollars. Because I was a girl, the price was haggled down to thirty thousand, and my mother sold me cheap. I was six, old enough to remember and to work. The irony was, a few years later, that family had a son of their own. My adoptive parents then sold me again. Twenty-three thousand six hundred dollars, to an old alcoholic, who said he'd raise me to be his future wife. Two years later, the drunkard drowned in a stupor. I finally stopped being bought and sold like chattel and struggled to grow up. My birth mother sold me for money, my adoptive parents sold me for money. So, don't tell me I'm materialistic. Maybe I never tasted what "love" truly felt like. Living this long, I've never had time to worry about love. Worrying about money, though, that's a regular thing. All that lovey-dovey stuff? Two days at a real job and you'll come back to your senses. Good thing I love money, and money loves me.My mind was a chaotic mess of memories when Julian's voice suddenly broke through from behind me. "I'm sorry." "I didn't know... that was your mother's memento." I turned around, shaking my head, a professional smile plastered on my face. "It's fine. You compensated me, didn't you?" "This much money, I don't even know how many rings I could buy." Julian glanced at me holding the glue, clearly not comforted. He just thought I was putting on a brave face. He lowered his eyes, his expression complex for a moment. Seeing him silent, I paused, then picked up my phone and continued. "Oh, right. There's something I need to tell you..." Before I could finish, Chloe's panicked shriek suddenly pierced the air from the guest room at the end of the hall. "Ah! Julian, quick, come here—" Julian's face instantly hardened. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and ran out. My hand, holding out the phone, froze mid-air. A digital medical report flashed on the screen: [Early Pregnancy, 6 weeks+]. I watched Julian's retreating back, the screen dimmed, and the smile on my face slowly faded. That night, Julian didn't return to the master suite. See? Money, that's the only reliable thing. I wasn't sleepy. I spent the entire night gluing the ring with that cheap adhesive. I didn't stop until the sunlight slanted across the dressing table. The ring was barely reassembled, but it was crisscrossed with cracks, like an ugly face streaked with tears. I picked it up, holding it against the light. It really should be thrown away. Then I sighed and tossed it straight into the trash can by the desk. I stood up, about to leave. But I hesitated, walked back, and chuckled self-deprecatingly. I reached into the trash can and retrieved the valuable gemstone. Forget it. I can be at odds with anyone, but not with money. I checked the time. Julian should be at the office already. I quickly tidied up, ready to go out and cash that check. After all, with Chloe back, I needed to be prepared to be kicked out at any moment. As I passed the dining room on the first floor, Chloe, who was eating, heard my footsteps and immediately put down her cutlery. She mocked me playfully: "Aurora, you're up." "Your face looks terrible. Didn't sleep well without Julian?" She intentionally drew out her words, deliberately adjusting the collar of her silk robe. Revealing a few suggestive fresh red marks on her collarbone. Seeing that I had definitely noticed, she continued to gloat. "I'm sorry, whenever I used to fly long-haul and couldn't adjust to the time difference, Julian would always... stay with me and help me adjust my schedule. You don't... mind, do you?" "After all, Julian and I grew up together; you can't compare to that bond." I took a deep breath. My heart felt a sharp, sour ache. But it was okay. I've always been good at enduring pain, ever since I was a child. I tilted my head, calmly reminding Chloe. "Oh." "But Julian and I are having our wedding at the end of the month and making it official early next month." That sentence instantly struck a nerve with Chloe. She abruptly stood up from her chair and yelled at me. "What are you so proud of?!" "If his mom hadn't been so dead set against it, we would have been together ages ago. I wouldn't have been forced to go abroad!" "Now that I'm back, do you really think you can stay by Julian's side?" Watching her lose her temper, I merely raised an eyebrow and mechanically repeated. "Oh." "But Julian and I are having our wedding at the end of the month and making it official early next month."Chloe was trembling with rage, hysterically cursing. "Bitch! How dare you still foolishly dream of a wedding? I'm telling you, you'll never marry Julian! I'm going to kick you out of the Thorne household!" Watching Chloe verge on a breakdown, I remained perfectly calm. I even slowly adjusted my cuff, casually responding. "Oh." "But Julian and I are having our wedding at the end of the month and making it official early next month." "You take your time eating. I'm off to look at wedding dresses." With that, I walked towards the main door without looking back. Behind me, Chloe was so furious she went into full 'table-clearing' mode, letting out a shriek before sweeping all the dishes off the dining table. The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the room. See? Even enemies can't stand the silent treatment. After leaving, I immediately cashed the check and saw the balance in my bank account. Staring at that reassuring string of numbers, I finally let out a genuine, relaxed smile. I then made a detour to a middle-class neighborhood on the west side of town, where I owned a small apartment. It was mine alone, a home I could never be kicked out of. Having money, truly wonderful. After resting for most of the day, when I returned to the mansion, I immediately sensed something was off. The living room lights were on. Julian, who should have been at the office, was now sitting on the living room sofa, holding a tearful Chloe and softly comforting her. The sound of me opening the door startled them. Julian's gaze shifted to me, his lips moved as if to speak, but the words seemed caught in his throat. It wasn't until Chloe tugged at his sleeve, her sobs growing louder, that Julian made up his mind. "Aurora, our wedding... let's call it off." I stood still, processing his words for two seconds. I didn't react with any dramatic gestures, but I felt a sharper ache in my chest, and my nose began to sting. My whole body felt cold, like that time when I was twelve and the old drunkard, fueled by liquor, beat me half to death and then held my head underwater in the well. It's okay. Aurora Stone, you've always been good at enduring. I sniffed twice, then nodded. "Alright." Seeing my calm demeanor, Chloe proactively lifted her head from Julian's embrace and looked at me. Her red, tear-filled eyes were full of triumph. I knew what she was flaunting. Just a few tears, and she could make Julian cancel the wedding. His idealized first love certainly held a lot of sway. I wasn't a fool; I wasn't going to genuinely fight her. She was the moon in the sky, and I was the dirt at his feet. I glanced at Julian, realizing that reaching this point was already pretty good. Loving him any further would be disrespectful. Then, without another word, I turned and headed up the stairs. "Wait!" I paused, but didn't turn around. "Thorne Jewelers just received a new shipment of gold. I'll have my assistant send you two gold bars." I was ecstatic. I instantly felt how ridiculously dramatic my previous inner monologue had been. Love or not, just give me the money. I immediately turned around, flashing Julian his most familiar sweet smile. "Thank you, Julian!" "I'll head back to my room then. You should get some rest too." Sure enough, my footsteps hadn't gone far before Chloe, upset by my "gold bar compensation," started complaining. She buried her face in Julian's chest again, and her whimpering cries resurfaced. Julian looked a bit helpless at her reaction, lowering his head to comfort her. I vaguely heard a few muffled syllables, something like, "Don't cry," "It's not worth it," "Just wait." Without looking up, he said to me, "You don't have to wait for me tonight." "Chloe isn't doing well; I need to stay with her." I simply mumbled an acknowledgment, my footsteps never faltering, disappearing directly around the corner. No time for sadness, my mind was entirely focused on those two gold bars. How long were they? How heavy? How many grams? How much money could they sell for? After showering, I immediately grabbed my phone, eager to search for the real-time price of gold per gram. But just as I tapped the screen a couple of times, texts from an unknown number started pouring in. It was Chloe. [Aurora Stone, do you have no shame? Julian canceled the wedding, and you still have the nerve to cling on and not leave?] [Bitch! A complete and utter bitch! You should just take those two gold bars and scram! Everything in the Thorne household belongs to me in the future. You wh"re, you're stealing my money!] [I won't tolerate you anymore. Just wait, I'll make sure you're completely out of the Thorne mansion immediately!] I read them with a blank face, then scrolled up. The first time I didn't leave, I got five million. The second time I didn't leave, I got two gold bars. Shameless is shameless, what's a little dignity worth anyway? But then, a sharp shriek and the sound of hurried footsteps rang out. A maid screamed frantically. "Oh no, something terrible has happened!" "Ms. Thorne... she cut her wrists!"The maid's screams hadn't even stopped when Julian kicked open the bathroom door. He scooped up the semiconscious Chloe and ran towards the door. "Mr. Peterson, get the car! To the hospital, fast!" I suddenly understood what Chloe had meant in her texts when she said she'd get me kicked out. Her strategy was truly brilliant. If she had just tried those typical manipulative schemes from web novels, she might have been caught. But self-harm... that's a whole different ballgame. I needed to pack my things. I turned and went back to my room, pulled out a suitcase, and neatly folded all my valuables inside. For the larger items, I paid extra for movers to take them that night. Another sleepless night. When I closed the suitcase, it was already 9:30 AM. I instinctively touched my lower abdomen. This baby... I couldn't keep it. After a long sigh, I picked up my phone and scheduled an abortion for tomorrow afternoon. After doing all that, I was just about to open the door and head downstairs to get something to eat. Click. Julian was back. He seemed utterly exhausted, his voice thick with fatigue. "Aurora, Chloe's emotional state is very unstable right now. The doctor said we need to avoid any triggers." "This mansion... you can't stay here anymore." With that, Julian habitually reached for his checkbook in his pocket. "I'll give you a sum of money. You can move out for a while. Later, when..." "No." It was the first time I had ever refused Julian's money. His hand, poised to tear the check, froze. He looked up at me, startled. Then he frowned, impatiently increasing the offer. "Not enough?" "I'll add another two million. Just be good, don't..." I reached out and stopped his hand before he could write again. "No." "Julian Thorne, what I mean is—let's break up." "Break up?" For the first time, Julian looked at me with a strange, unfamiliar gaze, as if mocking my presumption. He scoffed. "You're willing to do that? Willing to give up my money?" "Alright, stop messing around. Did you see something new you want? A car, a house, or maybe a designer bag or jewelry? Just be good, and I'll..." He hadn't finished speaking when I grabbed my suitcase. And for the first time, I met Julian's gaze head-on and pushed back. "I know that the good life I've had was really thanks to Chloe, because I looked like her. Now the real woman is back, and she's gone to such extremes. I can't really... push her over the edge, can I?" "More importantly, Julian Thorne, I don't want to be treated like a plaything anymore." "I want to reclaim my humanity." With those words, I pulled my suitcase and walked towards the door. Julian, probably never having been defied or dismissed by me like this before, roared with anger. "Aurora Stone, you dare to refuse me? What right do you have?" "Do you have any idea how many people would kill for the chance to stay by my side? I'm giving you one last chance. Come back! Take the check. I can pretend I didn't hear any of that crazy talk." "Don't make me say it again." I stopped, completely ignoring Julian's hostile tone. Instead, I smiled. "Julian Thorne, thank you for these past years. I truly liked the new name you gave me." "Wishing you 'peace every year,' Julian. Goodbye!" With that, I left the mansion without looking back. Julian, predictably, didn't try to stop me. Instead, he stormed back to the hospital. In the hospital room, Chloe was propped up on the bed, clearly pleased that I had been "sensible" enough to break up. However, seeing Julian looking so absent-minded, she was a little displeased. She opened her mouth to complain of pain, wanting to draw his attention back. Just then— Knock, knock, knock. The hospital room door was gently tapped. It was a strange doctor. He seemed very savvy, smiling obsequiously at Julian. "Mr. Thorne, it's like this. I'm Dr. Evans, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at our hospital." "Ms. Stone's last prenatal check-up appointment expired. Since you're here today, I rushed over to ask if you'd like me to rebook one for her. I assure you, we'll get her the best obstetricians in the city!" Julian froze, as if he hadn't understood what the doctor was saying. He instinctively asked, "What?" Dr. Evans realized his slip and quickly smiled, congratulating him. "Oh dear, my big mouth. She probably wanted to surprise you, and I accidentally let it slip. This is wonderful news! During her last check-up, Ms. Stone was found to be pregnant, so she booked a comprehensive prenatal check. Don't worry, everything looks good." "Congratulations, Mr. Thorne, you're going to be a father!" "The baby is six weeks old!"