Third person's POV
When Tabitha uttered those words, her heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness, as if a dense cloud of gloom shrouded her soul.
She could never have imagined that the person she once despised so much, wishing never to see again, would now be the one she invoked to try to escape danger.
It was a tragic and absurd reality.
"If you don't believe me, look it up online. If you let us go, I'll pretend today never happened, and I promise I won't pursue this," Tabitha said, forcing back the humiliation inside and trying to make her voice sound calm.
But the slight tremor in her tone betrayed her anxiety and fear.
Matilda's henchmen, upon hearing Tabitha's words, began to persuade Matilda cautiously.
One of them spoke tentatively, "This woman really seems to have some background. Maybe we shouldn't mess with her. Those rich folks are not to be trifled with. Once you get entangled with them, it's hard to disentangle oneself."
"Yes, we shouldn't risk our own safety for the sake of revenge," another chimed in.
Matilda shot them a cold glance, her eyes filled with anger and disdain. "Shut up, you cowards. Just because she claims to be Derek's ex-wife, you believe her? I could say I'm Derek's sister."
Despite her tough talk, Matilda felt a nagging unease inside.
Her hands didn't stop moving as she quickly took out her phone and began an online search.
She typed Derek's name in the Google search bar, and soon, some information about him appeared on the screen.
There indeed was a person named Derek Greenwood, but his marital status only indicated 'married.'
Trying to find more details, Matilda found nothing—no reports of divorce or an ex-wife, not even a photo of his current wife.
"You lying bitch, trying to fool me! He's never been divorced. Where did this ex-wife come from? Look for yourself!" Matilda stormed over to the cage with her phone, shoving the screen in Tabitha's face, her expression a mix of fury and mockery.
Tabitha, seeing this information, was also puzzled.
That was weird. When she had searched before, Derek had removed all photos and news about Daphne and clearly stated that his spouse was herself.
Why had it all changed now? There was only the word 'married' with no names or photos.
Little did Tabitha know that after her faked death, some media had used her for sensationalism, which enraged Derek. He immediately used his influence to clean up all platforms and media.
He erased his past, leaving only the status of being married.
In his heart, his wife had always been Tabitha alone. He did this to prevent anyone from disturbing Tabitha again, never expecting that this action would lead to such a catastrophic disaster for her.
"No, I really am his ex-wife. I can prove it..." Tabitha explained urgently, but Matilda wouldn't listen.
"Ha, still trying to deceive me," Matilda's face showed her impatience. "Fine, let's assume you are his ex-wife. Who cares about a discarded woman after a divorce? I'll ask one last time. Will you drink this medicine or your daughter?"
Tabitha wanted to continue explaining, but Matilda didn't give her a chance. She directly grabbed Ayla's chin, holding the medicine bottle in the other hand, about to pour it into her mouth.
"No!" Tabitha shouted in horror, her voice hoarse, "I'll drink it! Spare her. Don't hurt her."
"Why didn't you do this sooner?" Matilda said coldly.
The moment Tabitha was forced to drink that bottle of medicine, tears welled up in her eyes.
Her heart was filled with despair and helplessness, and she kept asking herself, why her?
Why did she have to suffer such tribulations again?
Why was the Moon Goddess so merciless? Every time her life was just starting to improve, and she could see a glimmer of hope, fate would arrange another terrible ordeal.
If it was just her suffering, it would be bearable, but her daughter was so young. How could she bear to let her be harmed?
Tears slid from her eyes, falling down her chin, dampening her gorgeous yet humiliating clothes.
"What a pitiable face! It will drive those men mad," Matilda looked at the crying Tabitha, a twisted smile on her face.
Tabitha felt her consciousness gradually blurring, her body becoming heavier and heavier.
With the last of her strength, she clutched the bars, weakly saying, "Let us go, you can still turn back..."
"Do you really think you're Mrs. Greenwood? If you were really his woman, would you be here?"
Matilda circled in front of the cage, as if admiring a product about to be auctioned, "Those who appear here are either filthy or perverted, a group of monsters dancing in the dark, and you, which kind are you?"
Tabitha's body could no longer hold on and slowly collapsed. In the last moment of consciousness, she said with all her strength, "You will regret it..."
Matilda waved her hand, her face filled with madness and triumph. "I never delay revenge. Send them to the auction block."
She took a mask handed to her by her henchmen and smiled seductively, "Tonight's merchandise will drive everyone wild!"