Chapter 4: A New Identity

Elaine never expected that her reunion with Aaron would happen under such circumstances, in a hotel restroom, facing each other. She could clearly see the subtle changes in his expression, and it was evident that he could see hers too.

Clutching her palms tightly, she quickly lowered her gaze, and when she looked up again, her eyes were filled with indifference and detachment. Her voice was faint as she said, "You've mistaken me for someone else."

Turning around, she intended to leave.

Her arm was grabbed, and the man's grip was strong, causing her hand to ache as he squeezed her hand bones. She frowned, glared at him sideways, and spoke with an annoyed tone, "Sir, please let go!"

But that firm grip on her hand didn't loosen. Elaine felt a sense of unease, but quickly dismissed her own concerns. After all, it was Aaron who owed her. Should she be afraid of him?

Wouldn't that be ridiculous?

Her lips curved into a mocking smile, and she emphasized her words, "If you don't let go, I'll call for help."

In the next moment, she felt her arm loosen, but before she could breathe a sigh of relief, her waist tightened. Suddenly, everything spun around, and she found herself being lifted horizontally by Aaron. The man's clean scent was as familiar as before, and she couldn't help but take a deep breath before yelling, "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

Aaron's face revealed madness as he held the woman tightly in his arms. With a kick, he forcefully barged into the men's restroom, and with a click, he locked the door behind them. Elaine's stubborn face showed a hint of panic, but Aaron eventually let her down. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she turned to leave, only to be stopped by the man as he pinned her against the door.

His handsome face shamelessly leaned in close, and Elaine, who was in such close proximity, could see her reflection in his eyes. Her disheveled hair reflected a desolate image. How could she allow herself to appear weak in front of this man?

She raised her chin defiantly, looking directly into his deep, unfathomable eyes, and spoke coldly, "I said, let go of me!"

The man remained motionless, staring fixedly at her face. "Are you really not her?" he asked.

"I don't understand what you're talking about!" Elaine turned her face away.

This action exposed the soft contours of her profile to the man's gaze. The graceful curve of her neck, the delicate skin behind her ears, everything seemed identical to the person he remembered.

Aaron's gaze grew deeper.

As if possessed, his hand reached out and touched that delicate spot. The warm sensation overwhelmed Elaine, and her delicate body trembled. Unable to suppress the anger within her chest any longer, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

"Smack!"

Aaron took the slap, his handsome face turned to the side, and he was stunned. He reached up to touch his cheek, not returning to his senses for a while, his gaze fixed on the tiled floor beneath his feet.

Elaine's whole body trembled with excitement. This slap seemed to have stirred up the boiling anger within her. She had to tightly clench her fists to restrain herself from slapping him again.

With a resolute turn, she opened the door to leave.

But once again, she was held back by the man. Aaron tightened his long arms around her, pressing her against the door. His handsome face approached recklessly, and Elaine, filled with shame and anger, looked him in the eye and spoke coldly, "I said, let go of me!"

The man didn't flinch, but stared intently at her face. "Are you really not her?"

"I can't understand what you're saying!" Elaine averted her gaze.

This action exposed her delicate profile to the man's eyes. The graceful curve, the elegant neck, and even the delicate skin behind her ear bore a striking resemblance to the person he remembered.

Aaron's eyes grew even darker.

As if under a spell, his hand reached out to touch that delicate spot. The warm sensation overwhelmed Elaine, and her delicate body trembled. Unable to suppress the anger within her chest any longer, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face!

"Smack!"

Aaron took a solid slap, his handsome face turned to the side, and he was stunned. He reached up to touch his cheek, still unable to recover, his gaze fixed on the floor beneath his feet.

Elaine trembled with excitement. This slap seemed to have unleashed the surging anger within her. She had to tightly clench her fists to restrain herself from slapping him again.

Turning around angrily, she opened the door to leave.

But this time, Aaron didn't chase after her. He stood there, staring at the small dent on the tip of his shoe, feeling the burning sensation on his cheek. Suddenly, he burst into laughter. He must have gone crazy. Emily was already dead. How could she be Emily? It was impossible, completely impossible.

Elaine quickly ran out of the restroom and collided with Sylvia, who was coming to find her. Seeing Elaine with disheveled long hair and a wrinkled dress, and noticing the panic and confusion in her eyes, Sylvia hurriedly approached her and grabbed her hand, asking, "Elaine, what happened?"

Upon seeing a familiar face, Elaine finally breathed a sigh of relief and tightly held Sylvia's hand. Her voice still trembled as she spoke, "I ran into him in the restroom."

"Him? Who?" Sylvia asked out of curiosity, but her expression suddenly changed, "Are you talking about Aar..."

"Yes," Elaine nodded.

Sylvia quickly glanced behind Elaine to make sure no one was following them and protected her by saying, "Let's go back to the lounge first."

"Okay."

The two of them hurriedly supported each other and returned to the lounge. Elaine sat down on the sofa, while Sylvia poured a cup of hot water and handed it to her. Elaine held it in her palms to warm herself, and the panic in her eyes gradually subsided.

"Sylvia, am I useless? I kept thinking about seeking revenge, but when I actually saw him, I panicked," Elaine said with a trembling voice.

Sylvia shook her head, "No, you're not. Don't overthink it. These are normal reactions. You hate him, but you also have to conceal your true identity. It's natural to feel anxious. It will get better in the future."

"Really?" Elaine whispered, suddenly unable to control her laughter. She looked up at Sylvia and said, "I hit him."

Sylvia laughed too, "Did it feel satisfying?"

"Yes," Elaine nodded honestly, "It was indeed satisfying. Beating him up was letting him off too easily, don't you think?"

"Absolutely," Sylvia agreed for that day, because she also wanted to beat Aaron to vent her anger on Elaine's behalf. However... she had no reason to do so, so she could only think about it.

"Look at you, your hair is a mess. Let me comb it for you again. It'll be your turn soon," Sylvia changed the subject and brought a comb from the nearby cabinet, gently tidying up Elaine's hair.

"But on the other hand, I was a bit nervous before. Now I feel relieved. I don't need to be on edge anymore. Besides him and the Garcia mother and daughter, there probably won't be anyone else at the event who recognizes me," Elaine said casually.

She spoke lightly, but Sylvia couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Elaine used to be Aaron's wife, a fact that was hardly known in this city, at least not by their Smith family. If Uncle hadn't suddenly asked them to rescue someone, Sylvia probably wouldn't have had a chance to meet her.

Unable to hold back, Sylvia said, "You were also foolish. When you're sick, you seek treatment. He doesn't love you, so why did you use your perfectly healthy heart for that deal? You just gave those two schemers a free gift."

"I know, I was foolish at that time," Elaine self-mockingly smiled.

At that moment, a service staff member knocked on the door and reminded them, "Miss, it's time. Please proceed to the venue."

"Oh, alright," Sylvia agreed, putting down the comb. She helped smooth out the wrinkles on Elaine's dress and asked her, "Are you ready to embrace your new life?"

Elaine nodded firmly.

"Then let's go."

The banquet hall.

Bowie Smith was delivering a brief speech on the stage, while below, numerous wealthy businessmen and influential figures from the entire city had gathered. Even some popular celebrities, who were currently in the limelight, were present.

Sarah wore a long, stunning wine-red gown, with her long hair loosely tied up, and a bright smile adorned her beautiful face. She moved through the venue, becoming a rather eye-catching sight.

Her watery gaze kept looking towards the entrance, and finally, she saw Aaron walking in with his head down. Sarah's smile became even brighter as she rushed towards him, tightly wrapping her arms around his arm, and complained playfully, "Aaron, why were you gone for so long?"

Aaron responded with a perfunctory "Hmm" and instinctively scanned the venue but didn't spot the tall and elegant figure in white that he was searching for. His gaze dimmed, and Sarah asked beside him, "What are you looking for?"

Aaron was about to shake his head.

Then, Mason's steady and mellow voice came through the speakers, "Please give a warm round of applause to Elaine, my uncle's daughter."

The applause resounded throughout the venue.

Under the eager gaze of everyone, a slender figure slowly walked onto the stage through a side door. Wearing a pure white gown and with dark hair like ink, even as a silhouette, she was already breathtaking.

"Is she... Emily?" Sarah couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at the woman who slowly appeared in the sight of everyone. She was shocked, losing her composure, and tightened her grip on Aaron's arm. When she turned her head, she saw Aaron staring at the woman on the stage as if he were enchanted...