Simp No More and He Lost It

Verena Johnson was the wild card among the wealthy heiresses-bold, reckless, and fiercely radiant.

While other socialites were busy chasing arranged marriages, she was out winning street-racing championships on the notorious "Death Highway," rising to global fame as a jewelry designer, and leaving a trail of ex-boyfriends begging to get back together after she dumped them.

Verena once said, "Marriage? Never. Men are like lipstick-try a shade, move on. No need to keep the tube."

But no one expected that Verena would one day marry a cold, taciturn physicist with monk-level self-discipline.

"Mom, I fell for Lanny Williams at first sight. It took me forever to win him over. The wedding's in two weeks. I hope you'll come."

She set the invitation on the coffee table and walked out.

In the car, she glanced at her phone wallpaper-his handsome profile as he analyzed planetary trajectories-and her heart melted.

She had never liked anyone this much.

For the first time in her life, Lanny made her want marriage. Made her want forever.

Just as she was about to reach home, a black sedan pulled out of the driveway.

Verena froze.

Where would Lanny go this late?

Suspicious, she followed him straight to a hospital.

Lanny hurried into a ward, anxiety written all over his face as he looked at the sleeping girl in the bed.

Verena's eyes sharpened. It was her half-sister, Bethany Nash.

Verena's father had cheated while her mother was pregnant, and the marriage ended soon after.

Verena had barely kept contact with that side of the family, seeing them only at a few business events.

"The blood clot in her brain is almost gone. She could wake up any time now," the doctor said, then added playfully, "So... you're really marrying Verena?"

"Yeah, " Lanny replied flatly.

"Tsk, how touching. All this just because Bethany likes Vernon Blair, and you're clearing every obstacle for her. You even dated Verena while Bethany was in a coma just to break Verena's engagement with the Blair family."

Lanny's voice stayed calm. "As long as Bethany ends up happy, that's enough for me."

"And Verena-she's a famous beauty. You never felt anything for her?"

"No."

That single, indifferent word landed on Verena's heart like a hammer.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Lanny stared at her in shock, then quickly returned to his usual cool expression. "You followed me?"

"You're not planning to explain?" Verena asked coldly.

"You heard everything. What's left to explain?" Lanny replied, not the slightest guilt on his face. "You like me. I'm with you. Isn't that the outcome you wanted?"

Verena's throat tightened.

"Oh, right," he added casually, "I have to fly abroad on the day of the wedding for a symposium. Tell the planner to shorten the ceremony to one hour."

With that, Lanny walked away.

Verena felt as if a blade were carving through her heart over and over, leaving her gasping for air.

She had thought he was simply reserved. That one day, she would warm him up.

She never expected his heart belonged to someone else all along...

Watching his car disappear, she let out a bitter smile.

She had met him two years ago at a friend's get-together.

In the loud, chaotic private room, he sat quietly in a corner, accepting a drink with a polite smile but not taking a sip, turning a Saturn-ring pendant between his fingers, as though he couldn't wait to leave.

Her heart had thudded wildly the moment she saw him. She couldn't look away.

It wasn't until her friend waved five fingers in front of her that she finally snapped back.

"He's my brother's friend, Lanny. Thirty years old and already an associate professor at Stannford. Last month, he discovered a celestial object outside the solar system, causing a big stir in astrophysics. If you want to shoot your shot, I can introduce you. But my brother says he's never dated. Not into women. Might be impossible."

Verena smirked. "There's no man I can't get."

But she underestimated how rigid and icy a genius academic could be.

He wasn't moved by her bold advances at all.

"Pull your dress up," he said once, eyes sweeping over the strap slipping off her shoulder, completely devoid of desire.

She had snapped her dress back into place, annoyed but not discouraged. Instead, she doubled down.

She brought him lunch and desserts at the research center. She pretended to faint in his arms. She even studied physics so she could talk to him...

But this iceberg wouldn't melt, and frustration slowly crept in.

One night, drunk out of her mind, she stumbled to him. "Lanny... I'm not gonna bother you anymore. I said yes to my family's marriage plans. I'm marrying Northvale's golden boy, Vernon Blair. Happy now?"

"Who are you marrying?"

For the first time, his calm voice showed emotion.

"Vernon... mm-hmm. He's hotter than you, richer than you. When I marry him and have his babies, you'll regret it..."

She was barely conscious, until something cool brushed her lips.

Then a scorching kiss nearly devoured her.

"Don't marry him," Lanny said, eyes burned with warning. "You like me, right? Fine. I accept. Don't go through with that engagement."

"R-Really?"

Her eyes lit up with drunken joy.

"Really," he said. "From now on, we're together."

In the two years that followed, Verena became clingier than ever.

Lanny felt like he had been designed by God specifically to match every one of her tastes.

She loved all of it-his face, his personality, his intellect.

Except one thing-he was ice-cold in bed.

At most two or three times a month, and even then his rhythm felt calculated. Whenever she reached her peak, he would pull away instantly, as if one more second would kill him.

Thinking of that, she laughed bitterly.

Why did it take her this long to see it? He really didn't like her. Not even a little.

And a man who didn't love her wasn't worth holding onto.

Verena pulled out her phone and called the wedding planner. "I want to cancel the wedding on the 28th."

When Verena loved, she loved like a wildfire. When she stopped, she cut clean.

A man whose heart belonged to someone else? She couldn't care less.

That night, she drove to a bar.

On the crowded dance floor, she moved freely to the beat. A young model with a fresh face walked up to her. She lifted his chin and led him to a booth.

"Kid, how old are you?" she asked.

"N-nineteen..." he stammered.

Verena was just about to touch his lips when a hand clamped around her wrist.

Lanny's cold voice sounded above her. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Pre-wedding indulgence," she said, taking a sip of alcohol and meeting his angry eyes. "Thinking about being trapped in a marriage for the rest of my life, I figured I should have some fun while I still can, don't you think?"

Hearing Verena's words, Lanny's expression darkened. "You're drunk."

Before she could react, he moved as if to lift her in his arms.

"Don't touch me!" Verena shoved his hand away, then lazily traced her fingers over the model's abs. "Professor Williams, I had no idea you're such a romantic. You'd go this far for the one you love?"

Lanny's gaze fixed on her hand. "Verena, don't push me."

She sipped her drink, ignoring him.

"Bethany saved my mother's life. That's the only connection we have," Lanny said, the patience on his face fading. "This is the last time I'll ask you-are you coming home or not?"

Since they had gotten together, Lanny had set strict rules. Verena had to be home before nine, no gatherings with her friends, all her sexy clothes discarded.

If she slipped up, he would sleep in the guest room and go a month without speaking to her.

Verena had always feared Lanny's silent coldness. Sometimes she would arrive just on time and feel her chest tighten under his sharp gaze.

When she loved him, she tread carefully.

But now? She was ready to let go, and his words meant nothing.

She said calmly, "Just so you know, you don't need to show up for the wedding on the 28th."

"Repeat that after you've sobered up," he said, expression blank, then lifted her over his shoulder.

"Lanny! You jerk! Let go of me!"

Verena struggled, punching his chest. "I'm serious! You're with me only because you're afraid I'd go after the man Bethany likes? Relax. Even if we break up, I don't care about arranged marriages..."

"Shut up, you're too noisy," Lanny said, tossing her into the back seat.

The ride left her head heavy, her body tingling with chills.

By the time they got home, she was feverish. Lanny placed her on the bed and fed her a pill.

The next morning, she woke to an empty side of the bed.

"You're awake," Lanny said, pushing the door open and brushing her forehead with the back of his hand. "You're still running a fever. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Verena opened her mouth to refuse, but his phone rang.

"Hello?"

After a brief conversation, Lanny's neutral expression shifted, first to surprise, then to relief. "I understand. I'll head there now!"

Hanging up, he added, "Bethany's awake. I'll go check on her. You take a cab."

Watching him leave, Verena felt a chill creep into her chest.

Suddenly, she didn't want to tell him about the wedding cancellation.

Why not string him along, toy with him, and make him chase an empty wedding day?

A sly smile curved Verena's lips.

...

At the Rehab Center.

Lanny rushed in and saw Bethany sitting up on the bed, dazed.

Their eyes met.

Her face lit up. "Lanny..."

He had barely stepped closer when Bethany wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

"I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered through sobs.

Lanny's mother, Marilyn Williams, who had arrived just then, watched the scene unfold.

"Bethany, you're finally awake!" Marilyn's eyes glistened with tears. "We were worried sick these past two years while you were in a coma. And you don't even know, Lanny's wedding is in ten days."

"What?"

Bethany looked at Lanny, stunned.

"He's marrying your sister, Verena. Our family has always valued refinement and proper manners. Verena's bold, reckless nature makes her completely unsuitable for Lanny," Nash sighed. "You saved my life once, and I've always hoped you'd be part of our family. But your heart belongs elsewhere..."

"Mom," Lanny interrupted gently. "Bethany just woke up. She needs rest."

He led his mother out. When he returned, he saw Bethany staring at him with a strange expression.

"Are you okay? Do you feel unwell?" he asked, moving to call a doctor.

"Lanny, about my accident, it actually had something to do with Verena."

Lanny's eyes narrowed.

"She always claimed I took away the love our father was supposed to give her..." Bethany continued, her face turning pained. "Even while I was in a coma, I could hear things. Dad said he wouldn't press charges, because the person who caused it was Verena. Mom even argued with him about it."

Lanny fell silent.

He knew Verena could be wild and headstrong, but he never expected her to be this cruel to her own half-sister.

"I'll make Verena answer for it," he said, clenching his fists.

Bethany shook her head. "It's in the past. She's my sister. You can't really send her to jail..."

The word "jail" made Lanny's brow tighten.

He hadn't planned on punishing Verena so harshly, just holding her accountable.

"Mom said if Verena admits her mistake and apologizes, she won't pursue it any further," Bethany continued with a bitter smile. "You know Verena, she won't apologize easily..."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it," Lanny said in a cold voice.

Back at home, the house was empty.

It wasn't until evening that Verena returned, looking exhausted, her hand still bearing the IV bandage.

She snapped at the person on the phone, "She woke up-what's it to me? That illegitimate brat can never be my sister."

Hanging up, she headed upstairs.

"Bethany's accident was your fault," Lanny said coldly.

Verena froze, then laughed incredulously. "Are you serious?"

Lanny didn't reply.

He walked over, grabbed her hands, and shoved her into the guest room next door.

"You-"

Before she could react, the door clicked shut.

A sharp, heavy floral scent hit her nose.

She turned, seeing the room packed with fresh flowers.

"You're crazy! I'm allergic to pollen!" Verena shouted and pounded the door as her skin began to itch.

"Apologize to the cameras in the room," Lanny's deep voice said through the crack. "Admit that you caused Bethany's accident, and promise never to bother her again."

Verena's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why should I apologize for something I didn't do? Open the door!"

She pounded on it, thumping again and again, feeling suffocated by the overwhelming scent of pollen in the room.

Her skin was already flushed, red rashes spreading across her arms.

"Lanny, you bastard! Let me out! I can't breathe..." Verena screamed, her body slowly going limp.

In the living room, Lanny watched the surveillance feed on the phone, his expression unchanged.

"Why are you so stubborn, Verena?" he asked, taking a deep breath. "If you apologize, Bethany will drop any legal claims. Do you want to go to jail?"

"I didn't hit Bethany... why won't you believe me..." Verena's weak voice drifted out.

Lanny's brows knitted slightly, but he didn't soften.

"You're reckless and headstrong. If I don't let you learn your lesson now, you'll end up in even bigger trouble later."

He thought of all the complaints his mother had about Verena and decided this would be a good opportunity to discipline her.

"You'll come out when you admit your mistake," he said, then went upstairs.

In his study, Lanny worked while glancing at the surveillance every now and then. Verena was still lying on the floor, muttering curses under her breath.

He shook his head in exasperation.

At midnight, after finishing a sudden meeting, he realized he hadn't checked the feed in hours.

Picking up his phone, he saw that Verena had passed out.

Her pale cheeks and neck were covered in dense red rashes...

Lanny's heart twinged sharply.

He rushed downstairs and opened the guest room door. A suffocating floral scent hit him immediately.

"Why... won't you behave?" he sighed, lifting her into his arms and driving swiftly to the hospital.

Verena was rushed into the ER.

An hour later, a doctor emerged.

"The patient went into severe anaphylactic shock from a respiratory allergy. If she had arrived an hour later, she wouldn't have made it."

Lanny stiffened.

He had only meant to give her a small lesson. He hadn't expected it to be this serious.

In the hospital room, Verena remained unconscious.

Lanny tucked the blankets around her and stayed by her side all night.

When dawn broke, he rubbed his temples and went downstairs to get her breakfast.

Passing a VIP ward, he paused..

"Bethany, your cousin didn't do it on purpose. And now he's overseas, so there's no way we can pursue it legally..."

"I deserved to be hit and end up a vegetable?!" Bethany's shouted reply echoed.

Lanny pushed open the door and met her tearful eyes. "So Verena didn't hit you?

The room fell silent for a second. "...I... must have misheard while I was unconscious," Bethany stammered.

Seeing her guilt and helplessness, Lanny nodded. "Rest well."

He decided not to tell Bethany about Verena's allergic shock, or she would only blame herself.

Returning to Verena's room, he saw that she had awakened.

"About last night-"

Smack!

Before he could finish, Verena slapped him hard across the face.

"Get out!" she yelled, grabbing a vase from the bedside and smashing it against his head.

Crash!

Glass shattered.

Blood ran down Lanny's forehead.

He winced at the sharp sting. "Last night was a misunderstanding. As compensation, I canceled my symposium. Everything for the wedding will follow your plan."

Verena scoffed.

How many simps had she tolerated before he got so arrogant?

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Finished? Then get out already."

"I'm leaving for a business trip in a few days. Behave and don't cause trouble."

Lanny, knowing she was still angry, turned and walked out.

The room fell silent.

Verena shivered at the memory of being suffocated by pollen the night before, heart still racing.

She couldn't believe Lanny could be such a brute.

But how did he already know it was a misunderstanding after just one night?

Never mind.

Verena didn't want to think too much.

Over the next few days, she stayed in the hospital, working on her designs with her laptop.

Three days later, a charity gala hosted by a world-renowned jewelry brand was set to showcase the latest works of designers.

"Finally..." Verena exhaled, satisfied with her final designs. She changed clothes and prepared to check out.

Returning to her room, she saw Lanny and Bethany together.

"Lanny, I lied back then when I said I liked Vernon," Bethany said, stepping forward to hug him. "You don't need to marry someone you don't love for me."

Then she tiptoed and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. "Can we be together?"

Lanny fell silent.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

His hand hesitated as if he wanted to push her away, but he didn't.

With a loud bang, Verena kicked the door open.

She sneered at the two of them clinging together. "Couldn't afford a hotel room, so you have to get frisky everywhere in my room?"

Almost instinctively, Lanny stepped in front of Bethany. "Watch your words."

"What? Am I wrong?" Verena scoffed, shoving them toward the door. "Stop disgusting me!"

Bethany stumbled and hit her head on the doorframe.

"Ah!" she screamed, then passed out.

"Verena! Her brain already has a clot. You're trying to kill her?!"

Lanny's voice shook with fear and anger.

He scooped up the unconscious girl, glancing at Verena with utter disappointment. "You really are hopeless."

Verena froze.

Seeing the cold sharpness in Lanny's eyes, the kiss between him and Bethany, her heart slowly cooled.

Once she decided to let go, she realized she wouldn't hurt or mourn over a man anymore.

One man wasn't worth all that pain.

Verena drew a deep breath and packed her laptop into her bag.

Then she froze.

Why was her laptop open to her jewelCAD software?

She was sure she had closed it before leaving the ward.

Did she misremember?

She scratched her head and didn't think too much of it.

Just as she stepped out, her phone rang. It was the wedding planner.

"Miss Johnson, we've canceled the wedding scheduled for five days from now. Would you like to reschedule?"