Awake, Rise, And Counterattack After My Husband's Betrayal

Five years ago, Kyla Spencer was a top lawyer in the legal business. To save Gerald Spencer, who was then just a poor medical student in a PhD study, she risked her career and managed to clear his name from false accusations by a global medical giant.

The cost was high; she offended the influential people and was secretly poisoned, losing her voice forever, making it impossible for her to stand in court again.

Kyla hid her talent and quietly became Gerald's quiet girlfriend.

After five years, Gerald had become a leading figure in the medical field, but his tenderness and patience now belonged to another woman.

Wearing a white dress to look innocent and pure, his junior schoolmate mocked Kyla, "I heard you were a formidable lawyer back in the day. You certainly don't look like it now."

Gerald, with a voice as cold as ice, defined Kyla's sacrifice as a burden. "Kyla, I need a partner who can stand by my side, not a patient I have to care for."

As the love of the past turned into a piercing blade, Kyla thought she would drown in silent despair until an email from her former colleague was received. "Do you still want to know why that company was willing to spend a fortune to falsely accuse a penniless student back then?"

It turned out she had lost more than her voice and love. What she had once protected with her life was a meticulously orchestrated scam from beginning to end.

This time, Kyla would no longer remain silent.

...

Gerald's celebration banquet was held at a luxurious revolving rooftop restaurant atop the tallest building in Harppek.

The chandeliers sparkled like a sea of stars, amidst the fragrance of perfume and the clatter of glasses and lively chatter.

Gerald stood at the center of the crowd in a perfectly tailored suit, engaging in lively conversation with several business tycoons.

He was undoubtedly the star of the evening, as the new drug developed by his team would bring billions in profits to the Paragon Group behind him.

Kyla sat quietly in a booth in the corner, like a shadow in the background, completely out of place with the surrounding buzz.

She wore a simple black long dress, her unadorned face appearing somewhat colorless under the dazzling lights.

She simply watched Gerald, her gaze penetrating the crowd to rest on his confident profile.

Five years had passed, and he was no longer the helpless and stubborn, poor student in a faded shirt standing in court.

"Gerald, Brineprist University called again just now, inviting you to give an academic talk next month," a sweet female voice rose beside him.

It was Aubrey Sullivan, Gerald's most valued junior schoolmate, and a core member of his team.

Aubrey wore a white gauzy dress today, her long hair cascading down, her face showing the perfect amount of admiration and affection, naturally standing closest to Gerald, as if she were the hostess of the party.

Gerald leaned over to whisper a few words to her, and Aubrey nodded with a smile, turning around to raise her glass, deftly mingling on his behalf, embodying his spokesperson.

Kyla cast down her eyes, silently rotating the glass in her hand.

In five years, she had accompanied Gerald from having nothing to achieving great success, yet she watched herself transform from a sharp-tongued, world-turning star lawyer in the courtroom to a silent observer from a corner.

Just then, Aubrey approached her with a glass of wine, smiling brightly. "Kyla, why are you sitting here all alone? On such an important day for Gerald, you should be happy for him." With that, she naturally sat down beside Kyla.

Kyla forced a smile as a response.

Aubrey, seemingly oblivious to her aloofness, leaned in closer with even more enthusiasm, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, laced with innocent curiosity, "Kyla, Gerald told me you used to be a particularly impressive lawyer, commanding the courtroom with authority. I really wish I could have seen you back then. You must have been captivating."

Kyla's grip on her glass tightened, her knuckles turning pale.

Aubrey continued, her tone shifting to one of regret, "Ah, it's such a pity... How did you suddenly lose your voice? Now, you are nothing like what Gerald described."

Each word pierced precisely into Kyla's most painful wound. She was about to pick up her phone to type a message for Aubrey to leave her alone when Aubrey suddenly let out a small cry, her hand slipping and spilling the red wine all over Kyla's black dress.

"I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry, Kyla. I didn't mean to." Aubrey immediately stood up, hastily pulling out tissues to wipe Kyla's dress, her actions exaggeratedly sincere.

Her exclamation successfully drew the attention of everyone nearby, including Gerald not far away. He walked over, frowning.

Aubrey's eyes instantly turned red with tears when she saw him, and she almost sobbed, "Gerald, I... I didn't mean to. I accidentally spilled the wine on Kyla... Kyla, are you alright? Please don't be mad..." She turned to Kyla, her face full of innocence and concern. "Are you upset because I dirtied your dress? But... but I forgot you can't speak, and if you're angry, I can't hear it..."

That sentence exploded in Kyla's mind like a bolt from the blue. Her face turned deathly pale as she looked up, gazing intently at Aubrey.

Gerald's gaze lingered on Kyla's soaked dress for a moment before turning to the tearful Aubrey.

He extended his hand, not to help Kyla up, but to gently pat Aubrey on her shoulder, his voice a softness that Kyla had never heard before. "It's alright. Don't cry. I know you didn't do it on purpose." He didn't even ask Kyla if she was okay.

He simply used that soothing tone with Aubrey, then turned to Kyla, his brows slightly furrowed, his tone carrying a hint of impatience. "Your dress is wet. Just go home and change. Don't ruin everyone's mood here."

Ruin everyone's mood? To him, her public humiliation was merely an inconvenience to others.

Kyla's heart felt as if it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain so intense she could hardly breathe.

She looked at Gerald, seeing the protection he offered Aubrey and the indifference he showed her, a chill seeping from her feet to her core.

Without another glance at them, Kyla picked up her purse, stood up silently, and walked out of the suffocating celebration banquet, step by step, under the gaze of sympathy, regret, and amusement.

As she stepped out of the revolving restaurant, the cold wind hit her face.

Leaning against the icy railing, Kyla trembled all over. She remembered five years ago, on a night like this, she had won that almost impossible case. Gerald, impoverished, hugged her tightly at the courthouse door, as if clinging to the only lifeline, his voice choked with emotion. "Kyla, wait for me. I will give you a life beyond your dreams."

She believed his promise. For him, she suffered retaliation, was poisoned, lost her voice, and lost her entire world.

And Gerald, while giving her a life beyond her dreams, also gave her the deepest humiliation and the coldest betrayal.