Chapter 1The Final Judgment

On the day of the court hearing, my fiancée, Jessica Thorne, urged me to drop my not-guilty plea and sign a confession.

"I know you're innocent, Liam, but Ryan is so frail. I can't let him go to prison."

She gripped my hand, sobbing. "Liam, this is all for your own good."

I decisively signed my name on the plea deal.

In my past life, I’d stubbornly refused to take the fall for Ryan Hill.

Not only did I end up in jail, but an enraged Jessica had also arranged for me to be tortured with cold, hard instruments until I lost the ability to have children.

Reborn into this life, I chose to go along with her wishes.

The next day, news of me allegedly stealing trade secrets flooded the internet.

Ryan even testified as an eyewitness in court:

"Yes, that's him! I saw him sneak into V-Corp with my own eyes!"

However, during the afternoon session, the plaintiff, Vivian Sterling, suddenly withdrew her lawsuit.

To everyone's astonishment, she pulled out a diamond ring, knelt on one knee, and asked:

"Liam Foster, will you marry me in this life?"

* * *

The moment I signed the plea deal, a flicker of cunning crossed Jessica's eyes.

Noticing my gaze, she immediately put on a heartbroken expression.

"Liam, I'll definitely hire the best lawyers for you."

"Once you're in prison, I'll pull some strings to get you paroled as soon as possible."

I fought back a sneer, my tone indifferent.

"No need."

She instantly feigned anxiety.

"Liam! I know you're devastated right now, but you can't just give up!"

"If you throw in the towel, your parents..."

She continued to babble, feigning "concern." If not for my past life's experiences, I might have actually believed her.

In my previous life, after I refused to take the blame, she dropped her facade.

Not only did she fabricate evidence to send me to prison, but she also bribed inmates to use those cruel instruments, brutally stripping me of my right to be a father.

I was filled with hatred—she was clearly the one who instructed Ryan to steal V-Corp's secrets, so why was innocent me the one to suffer such a terrible fate?

"Liam?"

Jessica's voice pulled me back to reality. "Why do you look so pale?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

"It's nothing."

I managed a weak smile. "Just a bit terrified at the thought of prison."

Jessica tried to take my hand, but I subtly avoided her touch.

She paused for a moment but the elation of securing the plea deal quickly overwhelmed her.

She carefully placed the document into her briefcase.

"The hearing is in three days. I'll submit this agreement in court."

She promised solemnly, "I'll keep this a secret for the next few days."

I nodded coldly.

After signing, I was granted bail. Stepping out of the courthouse, Jessica, as considerate as ever, opened the car door for me, her palm hovering protectively over my head—a gesture repeated thousands of times over the past three years.

But I knew, with chilling certainty, that everything had already been turned upside down.

She was still playing the role of a devoted partner, her gaze on me soft as water.

"Liam, I'll take you home."

Home? I scoffed inwardly.

That villa, once filled with memories, probably had no place for me anymore.

Sure enough, the moment I pushed open the villa's main door, a strong wave of men's cologne hit me.

All the furnishings were unrecognizable; my beloved minimalist style had been replaced by lavish decorations.

The wedding photo that once hung prominently in the living room was now piled in the storage room like trash, covered in cobwebs.

Seeing me stare at the wedding photo, Jessica's face flashed with embarrassment, quickly replaced by a look of deep affection.

"Liam, this was all Ryan's idea..."

"He's bedridden now, his mood is very unstable..."