Chapter 1 After returning to the States , Isabella Keeton made a reckless bet with her colleagues . She claimed she could perform a coronary artery bypass using only one hand . The surgery failed . Humiliated , she dropped her scalpel and fled the operating room . Because of her mistake , Wendy Matlock - mother of Florence Matlock- fell into a coma and became vegetative . Florence's brother , Baxter Matlock , sued Isabella . In just two days , his law license was revoked . He was convicted of perjury , bribery , and defamation and sentenced to three years in prison ! Florence reported the incident under her real name , but her personal information was leaked online . Overnight , she became the target of relentless cyberbullying . And orchestrating all of this was none other than Florence's husband of seven years the most powerful man in New York , Gregory Rumford . *** } Inside the hospital , Wendy's vital signs were failing , alarms blaring from the monitors as her life ebbed away . Florence pressed the call button over and over , searched every hallway for a doctor , but not a single one showed up . Panic clawed at her chest . Just then , Gregory appeared at the door , impeccably dressed in a tailored suit . He strode in , exuding authority and holding out his phone to her . 1321 Chapter 1 128 Vexchers "I've already withdrawn the police report . Record a video , make a public apology , and Wendy gets her surgery . " She can stay a vegetable , or she can die . The choice is yours . " His voice was calm and deep , but his eyes were steely , leaving no room for refusal . Florence's bloodshot eyes widened , her whole body trembling . She could barely force out a single word . " Why ? " She didn't understand . She was his wife . But why was he siding with Isabella ? Tears spilled down her cheeks . It was only the second time she'd ever cried in front of Gregory . The first was on their wedding day . Guilt and pity flickered in Gregory's eyes . He instinctively reached out to wipe her tears , but soon , he froze , then awkwardly pulled back . " Florrie , Bella and I grew up together . The surgery was an accident . Even if she hadn't tried the one - handed stunt , there was no guarantee Wendy would have survived . " Right now , the internet is tearing Bella apart . Just be good , record the video , clear her name , and this will all be over . The doctors are already waiting in the OR . Afterward , I'll get Bax out , okay ? " His tone was gentle , but his gaze was hard and unyielding . Could Florence refuse ? Did she even have the right ? Chapter 1 If she said no , would she be the next one in prison , or worse , the next one in a coma ? A cold emptiness spread through Florence's heart . For seven years , Gregory had always spoiled her . He'd never raised his voice at her , never denied her anything . Anything she so much as glanced at or mentioned , no matter how expensive or rare , would show up at her doorstep the next day . She thought he would always be her rock . But after Wendy's accident , Florence had begged Gregory countless times for help . He always looked torn , as if he wanted to say something but couldn't . She'd thought he was just caught in a difficult position . Only later did she realize he'd only stayed out of it because he couldn't bear to see Isabell hurt . As the silence dragged on , Gregory's patience wore thin . " If you refuse , your mother won't make it through the day . Your brother will rot in prison . " Florrie , don't blame me for being cruel . Bella grew up with me . She pulled me out of autism . I promised to protect her forever . Not even you can stand in my way . " } No sooner had he finished speaking than Wendy's body began to convulse on the bed . The alarms screamed . Doctors burst into the room and wheeled Wendy's bed away . " Mom ! " 13.21 Chapter 1 Florence leapt up , trying to chase after them , but Gregory blocked her path . " Record the video , and Wendy gets her surgery . " Florence stared at him in disbelief . " Gregory , how could you be so heartless ? " He shook off her hand , his brows furrowed , the weight of his presence pressing down on her . " You have 30 seconds to decide . " A chill seeped into Florence's bones . For the first time , he felt like a stranger - someone terrifying . It was as if all the love she'd ever felt from him had been a lie . Florence used to be Gregory's secretary . Back then , to win her heart , he wrote 99 love letters and sent 999 bouquets before she finally agreed to give him a chance . They dated for two years . To keep her , he'd done everything he could think of . The Vouchers When she was mocked by socialites for her humble background , he bought every single item at a charity auction and gifted them all to her , publicly declaring her as his girlfriend . Whenever she was bullied , he'd drop multimillion - dollar business deals to stand up for her himself . If she felt unwell , he'd fly thousands of kilometers just to take care of her . Florence's family was too ordinary for the Rumford family . The Rumfords asked Gregory to break up with her and get engaged to his childhood Chapter 1 friend , Isabella . 298 Vouchers He fought back - was grounded , sent abroad , but refused to give up . He even gave up his right as heir to force his family to accept Florence . Finally , his family relented , and they got married . Florence thought that after everything they'd been through , nothing could tear them apart - until Isabella returned from studying abroad a year ago . Isabella was spoiled and arrogant . Gregory indulged her every whim . He managed her work and her life , helped her through every crisis . After several failed surgeries , Gregory personally drove Isabella to and from her night shifts every day , worried she might get caught up in a medical dispute . He even brought her to live with them without asking Florence . Three months ago , Wendy had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital . Isabella insisted on performing the surgery herself to prove her skills , even betting her fellow returning doctors she could do it one- handed . That night , Wendy was wheeled into the operating room . By the time Florence arrived , Isabella was running out of the hospital in tears , while a team of doctors scrambled to save Wendy . But it was too late - Wendy was left in a vegetative state . Florence begged Gregory for help . He avoided the topic , watching her break down . For three months , Florence fought desperately , but Isabella paid no price . Wendy was still in a coma , and Baxter ended up behind bars . " Florence , have you made up your mind ? " Chapter 1 1 Gregory's impatience showed in the tight set of his jaw . He glanced at his watch . " Wendy doesn't have much time . " Florence felt utterly defeated . The tears she'd been holding back finally spilled over . Her hands shook as she reached for the phone , her voice trembling . " I'll record the video . I'll drop the charges . I'll do whatever you want . Please , just save my mom . She can't die . " Her hands were shaking so badly she could barely hold the phone . Gregory gently wiped her tears , opened the app , and started recording . During the thirty - second video , she gave up all claims and admitted everything was an accident . She handed the phone back and asked weakly , " Can you get the doctors to operate on my mom now ? " . Gregory finally relented . " The operation's beginning- " But before he could finish , a cry rang out from the operating room ; it was Isabella's . " Oh , my head ... I feel so dizzy ... " She collapsed on the spot . At the sound , Gregory panicked , rushing to her side and carrying her out . The doctors swarmed around them , leaving Wendy alone on her hospital bed . The alarms kept blaring . Florence's tears streamed down her face as she screamed , " Don't go ! Please , save my mom ... " Gregory , you promised ! You said you'd save my mom ! You can't just Chapter 1 leave ! " Vouchers She threw herself in front of him , but his gaze was fixed on Isabella . He didn't spare Florence a single glance as he rushed into the next room with the doctors . Footsteps pounded into her body , and the agonizing pain made it impossible to form a coherent sentence . It was too late . Florence wept , her cries raw and desperate , throwing herself at Gregory's feet , only to be kicked aside . " Don't worry , Bella . You'll be fine , " he said , frantic . Gregory's kick sent Florence flying , her head slamming into the wall . From where she lay , she could see Wendy , barely clinging to life . Florence's heart shattered into pieces . " Mom ... Mom ! " The sound of her head hitting the wall caught Gregory's attention . He glanced back , pointed at the room , and sent two interns to check on Wendy . " Your mom won't die . I'll make sure to do what I promised . " But right now , nothing will stop me from saving Bella . " Florence's vision went black . As she lost consciousness , only one thought remained - she had to leave ! She would disappear from Gregory's life forever ! Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!