I Swapped His Fake Gift for a Real Life novel Chapter 31

Chapter 12: Truth’s Sting

Nova moved again.

This time, the small apartment was leased under a friend’s name. Her family helped erase all traces.

For now, Zane wouldn’t find her.

Sunlight flooded the new space. She stood at the window, watching the bustling streets below. Freedom, long forgotten,

warmed her skin.

She’d severed all ties. Only essentials remained: identification, a single bank card holding her savings. The glittering

jewels, the designer labels–all left behind. A clean start.

She dialed an old friend.

“Nova?!” Scarlett Rae Bennett’s voice burst with joy. “Where have you been? Three years! I knew about the Blackthorn marriage, then–poof! Gone. Did they lock you in a tower? I thought you’d vanished!”

Nova managed a soft laugh. “Long story. Still running your design studio?”

“Absolutely! Bennett Studios is making waves.” Pride laced Scarlett’s tone, then shifted to concern. “You reaching out… is

everything okay?”

Nova hesitated. The full story stayed locked away. “I need a fresh start. A job.”

“Be at my studio tomorrow!” Scarlett declared instantly.

Bennett Studios occupied a historic downtown building. Inside, minimalist elegance met vibrant creativity.

Scarlett rushed forward the moment Nova entered, engulfing her in a fierce hug.

“God. You’re all bones!” Scarlett’s gentle squeeze traced sharp angles, concern morphing into forced cheer. ‘Never mind! Starting today, you’re my lead designer!”

Nova frowned, shaking her head. “I should start from scratch.”

“Nonsense!” Scarlett waved a dismissive hand. “You were the design department’s prodigy. I always regretted you didn’t join me sooner. Now that you’re here? No way I’m wasting that talent.”

Nova couldn’t refuse.

Settling at her assigned workstation, Nova’s fingertips brushed the smooth surface of a new drawing tablet. It felt like touching a piece of her soul, long neglected. Before the marriage, this had been her world. Three years… she’d abandoned

1. it.

Chapter 12. Truth’s Sting

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She plunged into design.

Days were spent absorbing industry trends with the team. Nights blurred into refining sketches under lamplight. Her

style–a fusion of classical grace and modern minimalism–quickly captivated the studio.

Within a month, Scarlett burst into her office, brandishing an ivory envelope. “Nova! Your ‘Stardust‘ collection—it’s been

selected for the International Design Exhibition!”

Nova froze. Then, pure, unadulterated joy flooded her face. “Truly?!”

“Absolutely!” Scarlett vibrated with excitement. “Val–de–Rêve! Next month! You’re going!”

Nova took the invitation. Her hands trembled.

Her dream–seeing her work on a global stage–was suddenly real. How much had those three hollow years cost her?

But it wasn’t too late.

Unseen by Nova, at Blackthorn Group headquarters–Zane flipped through the latest Design Quarterly. His gaze snagged

on a page.

Beside the elegant lines of the featured “Stardust collection, the designer’s name glared- Nadia Sterling.

His fingers tightened. The page crumpled.

“Nadia Sterling… The name was a whisper, rough and low.

His assistant hovered nervously. ‘Sir, she’s a rising star. Her style is quite distinctive. They say-

‘Find her.” Zane’s voice was ice. “Full dossier. Everything.”

The assistant scurried out. Zane remained, transfixed by the designs.

Too familiar.

The flowing lines. The meticulous detail. The restrained power humming beneath the surface. It mirrored sketches he’d glimpsed years ago, tucked away in Nova’s old portfolio.

He’d gone back to her shabby apartment after their confrontation. She’d vanished into thin air. His searches hit dead

ends.

Now… a thread.

“Coincidence…? The word tasted hollow. A restless, gnawing energy ignited in his chest.

Outside, the city glittered like scattered stardust–a brilliance that couldn’t penetrate the hollow darkness within him.

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Chapter 13: Serpent’s Venom

The air in Blackthorn Group’s boardroom turned leaden.

The CFO slammed the report onto the conference table, hand trembling. “Mr. Blackthorn–‘Ivy’s Whisper‘ has bled $168

million USD. The banks just froze our liquid assets!”

Zane sat at the head, knuckles white on the armrests.

Three months ago. Ivy had pouted about launching her dream fashion label. He’d approved massive funding without due diligence. Now the project was a carcass–investors fleeing, Blackthorn’s financial arteries severed.

“Leverage our Swiss holdings. Mortgage non–voting shares,” Zane commanded, voice arctic.

“But those are the family’s last unencumbered assets!” The CFO’s temple gleamed with sweat. “The Board won’t-”

“Do it.” Zane’s gaze silenced the room.

Chaos reigned at Blackthorn Manor.

Anna Blackthorn stormed into the parlor, her porcelain face twisted with rage. She hurled bank statements at Ivy, who lounged on a velvet divan, polishing her nails.

“Aunt Anna! What a surpri-

Anna’s palm struck Ivy’s cheek with vicious force.

“You viper! You siphoned Blackthorn funds–for a private island?!” Anna shook the evidence–wire transfers, auction records for jewels purchased under Zane’s name. “These are generations of Blackthorn wealth!”

Ivy clutched her face, tears welling instantly. “Zane said I could–l‘

Anna staggered back, clutching her chest. “You’ve ruined us-

The butler caught her as she crumpled ‘Call an ambulance! Now!”

Amidst the wailing sirens. Ivy fired off a text:

[Zane, Aunt Anna collapsed! She misunderstood everything. I’m terrified |

Outside the hospital VIP suite. Blackthorn’s Board elders intercepted Zane.

“That leech triggered Anna’s heart attack!” Director Mitchell jabbed a finger toward the ICU window where Anna lay tubed and monitored “Now the Group hemorrhages cash–and you shield that parasite?”

Zane ripped his tie loose. “Ivy’s far too fragile for such schemes. The liquidity crisis is my responsibility

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