Thorns Beneath Her Feet

The protagonist, Jade Jiang, and her twin sister Luna Jiang were once inseparable. Five years ago, Luna fell in love with the wealthy playboy Leo Li, became pregnant, and was heartlessly abandoned when she sought marriage. The Li family forced her to take abortion pills, driving her to suicide in a bathtub. Devastated, Jade swore revenge. Disguising her identity, she reinvented herself as Vera Gu, a sophisticated nutritionist who had studied in Chicago. She set her sights on Victor Li, Leo’s powerful older brother and the true authority in the Li family. At a family banquet, Victor introduced Vera as his lover—her first encounter with Leo since Luna’s death. Leo, shocked, mistook Vera for Luna. But Victor coldly dismissed the idea, defending her as his well-vetted girlfriend. Seizing the moment, Vera flirted with both brothers, weaving a web of deception. Her goal? To destroy Leo—first by driving a wedge between the brothers, then by sabotaging his marriage, stripping him of his support. Victor had planned to name Leo vice president at the upcoming board meeting. But after catching Leo making advances on Vera, he flew into a rage. Vera further manipulated the situation, making Leo believe his wife was secretly involved with Victor. The brothers’ bond shattered—just as Vera intended.