William Brooks was greatly surprised and asked, “You don’t hate me? You don’t blame me for destroying you at the happiest moment of your life?”

　　Emily Brooks had her back to him and stopped in her tracks. She turned around, her expression still calm, a hint of mocking smile at the corner of her lips, and said, “The happiest moment? Hahaha, William Brooks, how ridiculous. Do you know? Not only do I not hate you, but I’m grateful to you, truly grateful!”

　　William Brooks scratched his head and frowned. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

　　A sorrowful smile appeared on Emily Brooks’s face as she said, “Will, do you know? After framing you back then, I had nightmares for a whole year. When I opened my eyes, you were in front of me; when I closed them, you were still there. Do you know? I was nearly driven mad by your torment. I snuck out to see you many times, but I never dared to show myself in front of you; I was afraid, afraid to see the contempt in your eyes. Now, I feel relieved. What I owed you, I’ve finally repaid. I no longer have nightmares; this feeling is wonderful.” As she spoke, a relaxed smile appeared on Emily Brooks’s face.

　　William Brooks was stunned. After a long while, he finally said, “So, you feel guilty too.”

　　Emily Brooks’s expression was serene as she said, “No need to mock me. Now, we’re the same. However, even though I’ve repaid that debt, I still owe you, hehe…” Emily Brooks gave a charming smile and continued, “Heaven knows how unwilling I was about this marriage, how much I loathed it; and how much I disliked that Sarah Cooper! Now, I finally don’t have to endure any of it. I’m so happy! Truly, so happy!”

　　William Brooks showed a thoughtful look and said, “If you were unwilling and didn’t like him, why did you agree to marry him?”

　　Emily Brooks seemed surprised that William Brooks would ask this question. She glanced at him in astonishment and said bitterly, “Why? For the family! For the family’s ambition! As a direct daughter of the family, my fate was already decided—I had to sacrifice for the family. I didn’t have the courage to betray my family!” As she spoke, a mischievous smile appeared. “Luckily, I had you—one bomb solved everything! Hahaha, if there’s a next life, I’d rather be born in the remote mountains, the daughter of a poor hunter, than ever be born into such a noble family again.”

　　William Brooks fell silent, and the two stood facing each other without a word. After hesitating for a while, Emily Brooks finally raised her head. “Will, thank you. If there’s a next life, if we can be in the same family again, I’ll definitely be your most devoted little sister. I… am leaving.” She turned and walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped, her back to William Brooks, and said softly, “Will, I’m sorry!”

　　William Brooks suddenly looked up, but Emily Brooks’s figure had already disappeared. In the distance, the crowd was still surging forward. William Brooks stood there in a daze, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his heart.

　　Perhaps, from Emily Brooks’s perspective, although the way she framed him was a bit despicable, as a direct member, how could she bear to see the power gradually fall into the hands of the collateral branch? Once the power was lost, the entire direct line would be suppressed by the family! Such consequences were absolutely unbearable for the pride of the direct line.

　　In that instant, the deep hatred in William Brooks’s heart for Emily Brooks suddenly vanished… This girl, for her family, bore a lifetime of infamy; for her family, she sacrificed the marriage and love every girl dreams of, and in the end, he gave her a world-shaking explosion! Instantly, the hatred in his heart turned into deep pity.

　　Little sister Xue’er, if there’s a next life, I hope you live in an ordinary family, fall in love freely, marry freely, and freely enjoy your own life. Looking in the direction where Emily Brooks had gone, William Brooks sincerely sent his blessing.

　　For the first time, William Brooks felt lost, not knowing whether his revenge was right or wrong. He recalled Emily Brooks’s parting words: Will, thank you. If there’s a next life, if we can be in the same family again, I’ll definitely be your most devoted little sister!

　　William Brooks felt a pang in his heart and thought to himself: Xue’er, if there’s a next life, if we can be in the same family again, I’ll definitely be a good brother to you and never let you suffer even a little.

　　Next life! William Brooks suddenly remembered this phrase. Since there really is a Yellow Springs Road, and really a Bridge of Forgetfulness, then there must be a next life! Thinking of this, William Brooks became excited, turned around and ran, striding quickly in the direction Emily Brooks had left, shouting as he ran, “Xue’er, wait for me! Let’s go together. In the next life, I’ll still be your brother!”

　　With a burst of strength, William Brooks’s soul drifted forward at a speed far faster than anyone else’s. In the blink of an eye, he had rushed far ahead, but still couldn’t find any trace of Emily Brooks, and for a moment, he couldn’t help but feel lost. Ahead, a white arched bridge shimmered with a cold, faint light—this must be the famous Bridge of Forgetfulness. Beside the bridge, a stone platform three or four zhang high stood, with several people craning their necks, faces full of sorrow. That must be the Terrace of Longing for Home.

　　Once you cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness, you must drink the Soup of Oblivion. William Brooks grew anxious. He wanted to turn back and look for Emily Brooks, but found he couldn’t take even a single step backward.