Meeting My Destiny in Flames

When people in J City talk about me, Nicole Scott, it's almost entirely negative. Addicted to smoking, drinking, and clubbing, often caught by paparazzi leaving nightclubs late at night, surrounded by a constant stream of male companions, my reputation has long been in ruins. "Ms. Scott, another drink?" In the dimly lit private room, the man handed me a glass of liquor, his eyes revealing undisguised ill intent. I was upset and distracted, casually reaching out to take it and down it in one gulp. After a few drinks, my whole body went limp, my consciousness quickly blurred, and a heavy sinking feeling gripped my chest—I realized in an instant that I'd been set up. "What do you think you're doing?" I supported myself on the table, barely able to stand, my voice trembling uncontrollably. The man leading them sneered, closing in step by step: "Ms. Scott is such a player—why pretend to be innocent? Have some fun with us; you won't come away empty-handed." The others started jeering and reached out to grab me. I fought desperately to dodge, but my whole body was weak and I couldn't resist at all. In my moment of despair, the door to the private room was suddenly kicked open, the loud bang ringing painfully in my ears. Alex Green stood silhouetted against the light at the doorway, his black suit emphasizing his upright posture, his gaze cold as ice, radiating an intimidating presence. "Get lost." He spat out the two words, his voice low and hoarse, yet filled with undeniable authority. "Who are you? How dare you interfere in our business?" The leader of the men shouted defiantly. Alex Green didn't waste any words; he stepped forward a few paces and decisively took down several of them. He struck hard. The men howled in pain as they scrambled up, crawling and rolling as they fled the private room. Silence finally returned to the private room. Alex Green crouched down, looking at my trembling form, his voice softer than before: "Come with me." I looked up at him, my eyes filled with confusion and dependence, reaching out to hold his arm as I struggled to stand, my legs still trembling uncontrollably. In the car, Alex Green took a clean men's jacket from the back seat and handed it to me. "Put this on, don't catch a cold." I wrapped myself tightly in the jacket, the fresh scent of cedar lingering at the tip of my nose, and my tense nerves eased slightly. "Thank you." I whispered my thanks. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." Alex glanced at me sideways, a trace of subtle tenderness hidden in his eyes. I was silent for a moment, but I couldn't help asking, "Aren't you afraid? My reputation is so bad; being with me will only drag you down." Alex Green kept his eyes on the road, hands gripping the steering wheel firmly. "I don't care what others say," he said resolutely. He paused, then turned to look at me, his gaze deeply serious. "Nicole Scott, I'm going to marry you." Those words struck hard against my heart, frozen for so many years. Over the years, everyone avoided me—no one ever overlooked my reputation to offer me a promise of marriage. My eyes reddened. Choking back tears, I nodded, "Okay." I quietly made up my mind: as long as Alex Green doesn't despise me, I will turn over a new leaf and live well with him. A few days later, I got up early and prepared lunch, carrying a thermos flask to Alex Green's company. I wanted to surprise him and also show him how much I had changed. Just as I reached the office door, I heard Alex Green and his friend Chris Lynn talking inside. Their voices were low, but every word pierced clearly into my ears. "Are you really going to marry Nicole Scott?" Chris Lynn's voice was full of disbelief and confusion. "Her reputation is terrible. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you for marrying her?" Alex's voice was tinged with indifference, his tone emotionless: "What else? If I don't marry her, how could I legitimately get close to Lucy Scott?" Lucy Scott, my half-sister sharing the same father, the adored and cherished childhood sweetheart beloved by all. My footsteps froze instantly, as if all the blood in my body had thickened, leaving only a cold numbness. "But Nicole is still the Scott Family's eldest daughter. If you marry her and then neglect her, aren't you afraid the Scott Family will have objections?" Chris Lynn asked again. "What grievance?" Alex Green chuckled lightly, his tone dripping with disdain. "She's just a pawn. Once I get Lucy Scott, I'll naturally divorce her and dispose of her. In my heart, there has only ever been Lucy." With a clatter, the thermos flask slipped from my hand, the lid popping off as the food spilled everywhere—just like my heart, shattered into pieces right now. The conversation in the office abruptly fell silent. I didn't have the courage to confront him; I turned and quickly walked away, tears streaming down my face. It turned out all the tenderness was nothing but a carefully crafted lie—I was merely a tool he used to get close to Lucy Scott.