Seeing Adrian York lose his composure at the sight of her face, Summer Watson's lips curved into a mocking smile. That smile made her look even uglier.
Adrian instinctively took a step back, as if wanting to distance himself from the monstrous-looking woman in front of him.
When Summer saw that small movement, her heart suddenly ached. She knew that pain wasn't her own—it belonged to the original Summer's emotions toward Adrian. After all, he was someone the original body had loved deeply for two years.
"Forget it, I'm in a hurry. Let's just talk here," Adrian said, his guarded eyes fixed on Summer, ready to bolt if she dared to move closer.
Summer stood quietly in the distance, completely still. Seeing she wasn't approaching, Adrian's tense shoulders finally relaxed.
"I'm still young, and my studies are demanding…" he began, his tone growing proud as he mentioned his schooling.
Adrian had light blue eyes, the corners shaped like peach blossoms that naturally tilted upward. His nose was sharp and elegant—a model-perfect face.
With such striking looks, an unfathomable family background, and his status as a Beast Tamer and student of the Divine Academy, he truly stood among his peers as someone who looked down upon the world.
Back when he was chasing Summer, Adrian had deliberately restrained his arrogance to win her heart. But now, with the situation reversed, his old pride had returned.
"You know," he said, "I was just accepted into the Divine Academy. The studies there are extremely demanding, and I have no time for romance."
He paused and glanced at Summer meaningfully. She understood what he meant.
"Summer," he said coldly, "our engagement… let's call it off."
Call it off.
Summer felt a sharp sting in her chest—the remnants of the original body's emotions. Her soul hadn't fully merged with the original body yet, so those lingering feelings still affected her.
Adrian's words were like a knife, stabbing straight into the heart of the girl who had once loved him sincerely, tearing it apart.
Inwardly, Summer cursed the original owner for being so weak.
Three-legged frogs might be rare, but two-legged men were everywhere. Why waste tears over a spoiled brat like him? If he doesn't love you anymore, fine—end it and move on.
That was Summer's thought.
But the original Summer had truly loved Adrian and had even gotten engaged to him. Now, with her face ruined and still recovering in the hospital, her fiancé came rushing in to break off the engagement—it was undeniably cruel.
Summer gazed at Adrian coldly, as though looking at a pile of garbage.
"Adrian York," she said flatly, "when you pursued me, it was the talk of the entire city. Back then, you were full of patience and passion. And now, just a single 'forget it'—and it's all over?"
"It seems the young master of the York family's love isn't worth much after all."
Adrian's handsome face darkened with fury.
He had once genuinely liked Summer. But after entering the Divine Academy, he met many beautiful and talented girls and realized that Summer, aside from her looks, had nothing else to offer.
A shallow vase like her didn't deserve to stand beside him.
And now, that "vase" had become a piece of trash.
Thinking of this, any last trace of pity he had vanished.
"What? You don't agree?" Adrian sneered. "Do you want to force me to marry you? I'm a man of status! The woman who stands by my side doesn't have to be a goddess, but she should at least be decent and come from a respectable family."
He gave her a contemptuous look. "Look at yourself now—do you really think you deserve to be my wife?"
Summer almost laughed in anger. "So the proud young master of the York family is nothing more than a shallow man obsessed with appearances."
"Tell me, Adrian—what do you think will happen if I hold a press conference right now and expose your disgusting true colors? What would the public say about you? And what would they say about your precious York family?"
"Oh, and if I'm not mistaken," she added mockingly, "you're not even Lady York's biological son, are you? You're just your father's bastard, born of another woman."
Adrian's expression changed drastically. "You dare threaten me!"
Summer smiled calmly. "Yes. I'm threatening you."
Her frankness startled him. Adrian had thought Summer would collapse after her disfigurement and that ending the engagement would be easy.
But he hadn't expected her to change so much. She wasn't broken—she was stronger. This was not going to be simple.
Adrian suddenly took a bank card from his pocket—a card he had prepared long ago.
Paying her off was his last resort. He'd hoped to avoid spending money, but given her attitude, there was no other way.
Seeing the card, Summer frowned.
Holding back his disgust, Adrian stepped closer without looking directly at her scarred face. He handed her the small bank card and said in a low voice, "Summer, there's five hundred million on this card. Take it."
Summer let out a cold laugh, staring at the card with ridicule. "Ah, so I misunderstood you. It seems your so-called love isn't completely worthless—it's worth five hundred million."
Adrian ignored the sarcasm. To him, Summer was like a piece of chewed gum—something to be discarded as soon as possible.
"Trust me," he said coldly, "you'll need the money. You're the Watsons' adopted daughter. I know exactly what kind of people your parents are. To them, you're nothing more than a money tree. Now that you're disfigured, useless, and dumped by me, you've lost all value."
"Do you really think Victor and Clara will still want you?"
"Your beauty is gone. Your career is over. You'll have no income, no future. Five hundred million—for my freedom and for your comfort. Isn't that a fair trade?"
He shoved the card into her hand.
Summer had the urge to use its sharp edge to carve holes in his smug face.
But then again… if a fool wanted to hand her money, why refuse?
She extended her slender fingers, holding the card between them, eyes glinting with thought.
Adrian mistook her silence for hesitation. His temper flared. "Don't act all noble, Summer! You were only with me because of my background! Now that I've dumped you, you're just a worthless woman! Who else would want you?"
"With one word, I can make sure there's no place for you anywhere in the God Moon Kingdom!"
As the young master of the York family, a Beast Tamer, and now a Divine Academy student, Adrian indeed had the power to back that threat.
Summer's eyes darkened, and Adrian grew more arrogant.
"You want to act pure?" he sneered. "Before, you were a pretty vase at least. Now? You're a cracked, broken one—completely worthless!"
"I am the moon in the sky," he said proudly. "You are the mud on the ground. How could you ever be worthy of me?"
Having finally spoken his true thoughts, Adrian felt an immense sense of relief.