SWNOVELS Chapter 1
Chapter 1
“Carlos, a man like you is a complete waste of oxygen!”
The hospital room door swung open, and a woman who appeared to b doctor strode in.
She was clad in a white coat with a military uniform peeking out from underneath, exuding a frosty charisma. The lone gold star on her colla only added to her arrogant demeanor.
Carlos Balton immediately recognized her–it was Elena Hiller, his forr fiancée and the heiress of the Hiller family of Colmar!
He lay in the hospital bed for nearly two weeks following a car accider his face covered in stubble and his head swathed in thick bandages.
As the two locked eyes, the contrast between them couldn’t have been starker.
Carlos responded icily, “Whether I live or die, what’s it to you?”
Elena’s high–status background and natural authority shone through a she retorted, “I understand that my breaking off our engagement year: ago hit you hard.
“But we’re worlds apart now, and with your right hand crippled, there‘ no future for us.
“While it might have been embarrassing for you when I called off the engagement, at least you still had your life.
“I never thought you’d sink so low. I hear you’re now a wealthy family son–in–law.
“Living like a rotting corpse, crawling like a worm, you’d be better off dead!”
Carlos’s tone remained indifferent as he replied, “Being impoverished doesn’t mean I have to beg. I’ll rise again someday.
“Elena, how can you be so sure that I will never have a chance to mak comeback?”
Elena laughed and produced a wedding invitation, tossing it onto the bed. “I’m getting married, the wedding is set for three months from now. Do you know who my fiancé is?
“The most prominent gentleman of Colmar, a legend among men, at the pinnacle of glory! Only a man like him is worthy of my current status.
“As for you, a cripple, even your mother’s urn has been cast out of the house along with you.
“You’re living worse than a dog. How do you plan to make a comeback?”
Carlos’s eyes flashed with determination. “I see it clearly now. Your family has found you a new man.
“Rest assured, on the day of your engagement and wedding, I will personally extend my congratulations.”
Elena’s gaze turned mocking then she said, “What, you can’t even let go of me to the point of crashing my wedding?”
Carlos narrowed his eyes, replying, “You’re mistaken. I simply want the Hiller family’s carefully chosen man to kneel at my feet and beg for
mercy.
“And you, Elena, after half a year, you’ll regret your decision to end our engagement for the rest of your life.”
Elena taunted, “I’ve heard you’re currently working at a mental hospital, spending time with mentally ill patients. Have you lost your mind as well?
“Regret? What could I possibly regret with you?
“Carlos, listen carefully. In Nantes, you still have a chance to be a nob*dy But if you dare step out of here, I guarantee you won’t even have the opportunity to be a nob*dy!
“So, what do you say? Will you get down on your knees and beg me? Maybe, because of our past connection, I might give you a chance to grovel at my feet!”
A glint of murderous intent flared in Carlos’s eyes. His right arm, encase in bandages, suddenly tensed, causing the cast to crack bit by bit.
Suddenly, the room door burst open, accompanied by the crisp sound of high heels in the corridor.
A stunning and commanding woman entered, radiating an air of sheer dominance.
Upon witnessing the scene, she momentarily froze. Although she didn’t know Elena’s identity, her commanding presence was undeniable, as if Elena was a high–ranking figure looking down on others.
Elena examined the woman from head to toe, a touch of disdain and scrutiny in her gaze. “Is this your wife? Finding a woman like this in a small place like Nantes is quite an achievement.
“I’ll be staying in Nantes for a few days. If you change your mind, feel free to reach out to me anytime!”
Elena spun around and came to an unhurried stop next to the woman who had just barged into the room. She looked her up and down, then quipped with a hint of disdain, “You must be Ashley Jones, huh?
“You’ve got looks, I’ll give you that, but your brain doesn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders. Choosing a loser like him, aren’t you worried about regretting it sometime down the road?”
An unexplainable weight seemed to radiate from Elena, like an imposing mountain ready to crush Ashley into oblivion.
Ashley had never encountered anyone quite like this before. The sheer force, as if it originated from her very core, involuntarily made her bow her head.
Elena’s face bore a trace of indifference as she eased off the pressure. As they passed by each other, Ashley suddenly halted. “Hold on a second!”
Elena responded nonchalantly, “What is it?”
Ashley gradually raised her head, reclaiming the dignity she had
momentarily lost. “I don’t know who you are or what your connection is with my husband, Carlos.
“But let me make it clear, I don’t need you to school me on what kind of man I should choose as my husband.”
Elena smirked and said, “Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
Ashley stood her ground, unflinchingly asserting, “Badmouthing my husband in front of me… Do you think I’m a pushover?
“Even if Carlos isn’t a genius, he hasn’t enjoyed your family’s fortune. It’s not your place to lecture him.”
Elena’s interest was piqued. “Not many people have the guts to talk to me like this. Don’t you know that with a single word, I can have your Jones family kicked out of Nantes?”
Ashley retorted proudly, “So what?
“The man I’m with isn’t someone you can boss around.
“If you’re looking for trouble with me, feel free to step up, but there’s no need for theatrics here.
“My husband is still in recovery, and this place isn’t hospitable to you. Kindly leave!”
Elena’s eyes were filled with intense hatred as if she saw Ashley as a doomed soul. “I have a feeling we’ll cross paths again soon.
“Miss Jones, I hope that the next time you see me, you’ll still have that same level of courage!”
Ashley stood her ground, momentarily unsure of her next move.
In just a brief moment, she was drenched in sweat, as she wondered who this woman was.
As Elena reached the door, she spoke meaningfully, “Carlos, you’ve got an eye for beauty. She’s quite the charming lady; it’s hard not to be smitten. Should I assist in her ‘training“?”
Carlos’s eyes flared with determination. “How dare you?”
Elena hadn’t paid much attention to this woman from a less prominent family, but seeing how much Carlos cared about her, her murderous intent seemed uncontrollable. “Then make sure to keep a close watch on her. Don’t let the bad guys snatch her away!”
As the door slammed shut heavily, the room instantly fell into silence, like a receding tide.
Carlos gazed at Ashley’s delicate figure, his eyes filled with pity and
concern.
Especially when he recalled how fiercely she had defended herself in front of Elena, a warm feeling surged within him.
In the next moment, Ashley turned around and abruptly handed over a divorce agreement, pushing the atmosphere in the hospital room to another extreme. As if she had summoned up all her strength, she declared, “Carlos, let’s call it quits!”