Back then, Evelyn left without saying a word and went abroad, leaving Vincent devastated. He drowned himself in alcohol daily and developed severe bipolar disorder.
One day, while he was drinking at a bar, he saw me being harassed by some men while I was working part-time.
I resisted and those men tried to drag me into a private room by force. Vincent, holding a wine bottle, charged at them, resulting in a bloody brawl.
To express my gratitude for saving me, I insisted on taking care of him at the hospital.
When Mrs. Cross saw that he didn’t reject me and that his bipolar episodes hadn’t recurred for several days because of my presence, she consulted a doctor. Afterward, she decisively brought me an employment contract.
"I will give you 700 thousand dollars for three years to stay by Vincent's side as his personal caretaker."
Coincidentally, my adoptive father had recently passed away from a serious illness, leaving behind a pile of debts to be repaid.
Desperate for money, I didn’t hesitate to sign the agreement.
In order to take good care of Vincent, I followed the terms of the agreement and taught myself nutrition management and health psychology, all to help him recover from the pain of heartbreak as quickly as possible.
One time, after another drunken episode, he mistook me for Evelyn and lost control in a night of wild passion.
When he sobered up, Vincent looked at the glaring red stain on the bed and held me in his arms, apologizing, "Diana, I will take responsibility for this. When the time is right, we’ll make our relationship public."
From that day on, he clung to me every night, showering me with bags and jewelry, sparing no expense to fill my room with gifts.
Especially in bed, his sweet words never repeated themselves.
I gradually lost myself in this false affection, waiting for five long years. Yet, I never saw the "right time" he spoke of. Instead, I uncovered the truth behind his being with me.
The reason Evelyn initially stormed off abroad was to force my biological parents to abandon their search for me.
Vincent saved me and didn’t reject me because his investigation revealed that I was the true daughter of the Carter Family.
He thought that keeping me under his watch, confining me within the Cross Family’s sphere, would help Evelyn solidify her position as the true heiress.
But he also resented my existence, hated me for driving away the woman he loved.