Millie's heart skipped a beat.Pierce intended to consummate their marriage and protect her for the rest of his life.Did he love her or was he doing this because of his sense of duty? Was he choosing her because he knew things were impossible between him and Samantha?Numerous thoughts flooded Millie's mind in that brief moment. She almost nodded in agreement, but upon remembering the situation they were in, she immediately came to her senses."No. I don't want you to be responsible for my life. I can take care of myself. There's no need for others to bear my burden," Millie responded."I'm willingly doing this. I decided that you would be my responsibility since the moment I rescued you," Pierce explained."Your sense of responsibility is unfounded. I'm not worth the trouble," Millie retorted."No, you're worth it," Pierce insisted with great stubbornness while meeting her gaze, each of his words spoken solemnly."Are you going to sleep? If you're not sleeping, then go home.
Stefan was at a loss for words. Pierce had hit the nail on the head. However, Stefan did not intend to hurt Millie this way.He started, "That's why I'm willing to have Wanda make a public apology. Isn't that enough? Pierce, you should know that if this incident escalates, both our families would be implicated—there's no need to do so. Can't we reach a compromise? "Furthermore, if both our families worked together, the others wouldn't dare say anything unless they want their future in Arbelton ruined.""I can't make this decision. I'll ask for Millie's opinion," Pierce simply replied."Pierce! This matter only requires our decision. Why do you have to get her opinion?" Stefan countered."That's because Millie is directly involved. She's the victim here!" Pierce then emphasized each word clearly, "She's like this because of your selfishness. You deserve it."He then added, "Stefan, I'll make sure you pay for every bit of suffering Millie went through.""Pierce, be straight with
In that instant, Millie's sense of security seemed to manifest itself physically as Pierce. She felt her heart skip a beat and forgot to breathe.She thought that Pierce had gone off to work, but even if he didn't, he shouldn't be waiting at her door. Much to her surprise, he had been waiting there the entire time it took her to make that decision.She couldn't help but approach Pierce and tightly hug him.Pierce hesitated for some time before stiffly moving his arms to caress Millie's back. "What's wrong?" he gently asked."I've come to a decision…" Millie closed her eyes and let out a long breath. "I won't make things public… I'll let that despicable couple off this time!" she resolutely stated. Her original plan was to stand her ground and go down with her enemies in flames. She wasn't afraid of going down that dark path, nor did she care about the consequences—she had less to lose compared to everyone else.However, the moment she saw Pierce, she suddenly felt that she sho
If it weren't for Wanda's stupidity, she could have avoided the trap.All she had to do was apologize in public. However, she had to bring up the incident of Millie getting raped, which caused the situation to spiral out of control.Requesting a public apology from Wanda at this juncture was akin to a slap in her face. Despite that, Stefan understood that they were at fault, so he was willing to accept that level of humiliation.However, demanding that Wanda cry publicly crossed his bottom line. Wanda was officially Mrs. Leach. If she were to cry while apologizing to Millie, the level of humiliation was beyond what he could accept."That's impossible," Stefan flatly refused.Millie wasn't surprised by his response at all. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leach would have to suffer through the same humiliation, after all."There's no need for further discussion then. Let's just go down in flames together," Millie replied indifferently."Millie, won't you think about your own reputation? Aren'
However, Millie merely gave Stefan an indifferent glance and turned away. After all, Wanda's expression at the moment was too good to miss out on.Wanda was white as a sheet, and even her lips were colorless. She blankly stared at Stefan, unable to regain her composure for quite some time.Millie found it somewhat ridiculous.Wanda truly overestimated her value. She would be Stefan's priority so long as his interests weren't at stake. But once it involved Leach Group, Stefan would abandon her with no hesitation. Millie understood that from her three years with Stefan, yet Wanda didn't. She most likely thought that since she was Stefan's first love and was of great importance to him, she was an exception to the rule.But reality proved that there were no exceptions.With this in mind, Millie couldn't help but look at Pierce.Why was it that Stefan would put Leach Group's benefits above everything, while Pierce was willing to gamble everything for her and shoulder risks that were
Millie slowly withdrew her foot and said, "You apologized, but I will never forgive you. Remember this, Wanda—we didn't fight over this man. You only picked up trash that I no longer wanted.""Millie—" Stefan clenched his fists. If Pierce hadn't been watching closely, Stefan most likely wouldn't have held back.Millie continued, "That's right, I haven't given you my blessings at the wedding, have I? "Stefan, I wish that you'll be infertile and blessed with no descendants. And Wanda, I wish you a happy second, third, and fourth marriage in advance!"Finally, Stefan couldn't control himself and flung the coffee cup in his hand at Millie. Pierce was prepared and immediately pulled Millie into his arms.Meanwhile, Millie was caught off guard and lost her balance. Fortunately, she fell right into Pierce's arms instead of tumbling to the ground.However, some coffee still splashed onto the back of her hand. Though her tender skin reddened immediately, it was nothing serious.Pierce
Now, Millie was left in only her pure white lace lingerie.Pierce then applied rubbing alcohol to her joints to help her feel better. Once he was done applying the rubbing alcohol to her chest, Millie lazily lay on her front, too drained to feel embarrassed. She was already blanking out, so she couldn't be bothered with anything else.Pierce continued to apply a bit of alcohol along her spine. The icy cool sensation from the alcohol was very soothing.Suddenly, Pierce paused and gently stroked a scar near the base of her spine."Where did this come from?" he asked in a low voice.Millie's head was spinning as she thought for a moment. "I think… it was from an injury I got during my childhood.""How did you get hurt?""I can't remember. I hit my head when I was little, and I don't remember what happened that year. My mom said that I was being naughty and knocked my head when I fell from an elevated place. Apparently, some metal sheet pierced my back."The doctors said that it
The bitter liquid slid down Millie's throat in a flash, and she reflexively coughed as tears welled up in her eyes. It made her look even more pitiful.Pierce immediately took another mouthful of the herbal remedy. With practiced ease, he gently pried Millie's mouth open and fed her the mixture as he had done so before.In her delirium, Millie couldn't help but mutter, "It's so bitter…"Pierce fed her the rest of the brew in a mouthful. Then, he suckled and kissed Millie's lips until there was no taste of the medicine left in her mouth.…Millie's fever finally subsided in the early morning after she finished the medicine, but she remained unconscious.Time passed by, and there was still another medication that needed to be taken before breakfast. So, Pierce repeated the process from earlier and slowly fed her the medication.By then, Millie was more alert. She could feel someone pressed against her lips as a warm liquid seeped into her mouth.She subconsciously furrowed her br
Millie's mind was completely addled. Before Pierce could answer her, images started popping up into her brain. "There's not enough time to get a doctor…""No…""Please, please help me. I can't hold on any longer!"Millie froze in place. She was the one who cried and begged Pierce again and again to take care of it for her. He never actually went all the way, and instead used other methods to help her so she could still keep her virginity intact. Today was indeed their actual first time!"How? How can this be? This isn't how I remember it! Why are my memories all jumbled?" That was when Millie recalled how the doctor had mentioned how a human's brain had the ability to protect itself. When experiencing certain trauma or fear, the brain would subconsciously forget or alter certain memories.Moreover, the drug that day was especially potent. It not only charged one's sexual need into hyperdrive, but could also cause hallucinations. That was why she remembered hearing Pierce's v
"Mills… I… I can still hold on…" whispered Pierce in a small, pained voice. Millie saw how he was holding himself back and felt her heart break. "This is your only chance. There might not even be a next time.""Please, just go," he forced out."Silly, I'm telling you to just get on with it!" Millie was livid."But I'm worried you'll get mad…" Pierce groaned. He was worried that he might do something that crossed Millie's boundaries, and that she would never forgive him when she came to her senses. He would much rather just hold it in and do nothing, even if he was the one who would end up suffering.Millie coaxed him patiently. "I won't get mad. Please, Pierce… I want you to. I really do." She even took the initiative and gave his earlobes a gentle nibble. And with that, Pierce took the reins back and kissed her fiercely.At first, Millie assumed that things would be more successful this time round since Pierce was experienced. However, it seemed like he continuously missed
"Get out!" Pierce bellowed. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he tightly gripped Millie's wrist, trying to push her out of the room. However, Millie refused to leave."Go!" Pierce growled, his voice strained with urgency. Just the sensation of her cool, delicate skin against his was enough to make him lose control."I… I don't know who drugged me, but you're in danger if you stay here with me. Please just leave me alone for now," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady."If it gets worse, knock me out. Just knock me out," he begged, his rationality slipping away.He reached for the desk lamp and placed it in Millie's hands. "Hit me!" he desperately yelled.Millie's mind was in a mess. How could she possibly hurt him?"Go to the bedroom first. I'll come and check on you later," she said before rushing out of the study.She quickly instructed the house staff to leave the premises, not wanting them to overhear or witness anything they shouldn't. Then, she returned to
Pierce frowned slightly, confused about why the doctor insisted on Millie joining him for the consultation. Nevertheless, he respected the doctor's advice and called her over."Your wife is very pretty," the doctor remarked."Yes, she's beautiful," Pierce responded, proudly puffing out his chest.Millie rolled her eyes upon hearing that."Doctor, is there something wrong with him? Is it serious?" she nervously asked. When she learned that the doctor had specifically requested her presence, she was worried that Pierce might have some kind of serious health issue."Do you two not have a healthy sex life? Look at him—he's clearly been holding back too much. There's nothing wrong with him physically. But he's young, full of energy, and at the age where he needs… a release. "Should I examine you too, miss?" the doctor asked.The comment left Millie's face burning with embarrassment, and even the tip of Pierce's ears turned a faint red.The elderly doctor was certainly not one to mi
"Mills, are you inside?" Pierce called out.He'd hurried back home after the housekeeper told him that Millie had retreated to her room early. He thought she'd gone to bed, but the lights were still on, and there was no sign of her.However, the bathroom door was tightly shut. Worried that she might have passed out inside from staying in the bath for too long, Pierce knocked on the door. "Mills?"Millie wanted to respond, but no sound came out of her mouth. Her body felt completely drained."Mills?" Pierce's voice grew more urgent. "If you don't come out, I'm coming in."After waiting for another minute and not getting a response, Pierce opened the door and found Millie slumped in the bathtub, completely soaked and looking utterly disheveled."Mills!" Pierce was alarmed to see her in such a fragile and exhausted state.He immediately assumed that it was the lingering impact of her family's recent visit. He thought that Millie was still trapped in sadness, unable to move past t
"Does our family have to end up in this state?" Mateo asked, bewildered. Everything had been fine before they came to Arbelton. Why had it all fallen apart after one short visit?He understood that Millie had suffered, but it was undeniable that she was heartless too. Wasn't she the one who had torn the family apart?"Think it over yourself. For now, come home with me," Emily said.After everything that had happened, Emily had made up her mind. She finally saw Frederick for who he was. She still had a shred of conscience and was willing to admit that the Jordan family had wronged Millie. But Frederick's chauvinistic attitude disgusted her. Why was it so hard for him to admit that Millie did better than him? She wasn't a stranger—she was family, after all.The Jordan family had arrived in Arbelton feeling wronged and self-righteous, but they left with their tails between their legs.Meanwhile, Agnes followed through on her promise to formally take Millie in as her honorary gr
"Why did you hit Mateo?" Emily immediately stepped forward to shield Mateo."Are you mocking me too? Try me, and I'll kick you out of the Jordan family as well!" Frederick snapped.Emily clapped back at him, her voice trembling with rage, "Maybe my son and I should leave together! That's all you have left to threaten us with, isn't it? Because we still rely on you financially. "But Millie is different. She's independent and far more capable than you think. She doesn't need your money, so you can't control her. You've lost your authority, and it frustrates you. You can't accept it, so you lash out like a petty clown. "You can't win anywhere, so you take it out on Mateo. Was he wrong in what he said just now? Also, you don't seem to have reflected on this entire situation at all. Do you realize how much Millie suffered to save this family back then? You're still enjoying a fine life now, and this is all thanks to her. "Why are you biting the hand that fed you?"Another loud slap
Mateo and Emily met Millie's gaze with guilt written all over their faces. They had finally come to understand the hardships that Millie had endured three years ago and realized just how over the line they had been.Still, Frederick was the head of the family, and their survival depended on him. They couldn't defy his authority."Mr. Jordan, what brings you here?" Millie asked, her tone calm and detached.Frederick had specially arranged for the book containing their family tree to be sent from their hometown. The old, yellowed book carried a significant weight, both physically and symbolically."Listen, Millie. You are being expelled from the family. Your name will be removed from the family tree! This is the Jordan family disowning you!" Frederick declared.He flipped to the page where her name was written and crossed it out in front of everyone present.He imagined that this grand and dramatic gesture would intimidate Millie. He then said solemnly, "From now on, the Jordan f
Frederick finally saw the light of day. Initially, he had been confident that Emily and Mateo would come to his rescue. He was certain that Millie wouldn't dare to keep him detained for long.Each day, he prepared to be released. But as the days passed, he watched others being bailed out while he was left to endure endless interrogations. His frustration turned into anger and defiance, but his resistance only led to his fellow detainees teaching him a harsh lesson with their fists.Humbled and bruised, he eventually fell in line. Fear began to consume him, and his thoughts drifted back to his time in prison. He'd been made to wake up at fixed hours, eat at designated times, and make his bed to perfection. He had to toil in the sun and endure the abuse of fellow inmates.Every day had been unbearable in there, and the desperation to escape grew stronger as time passed. He knew in his heart that he was innocent, and the injustice of it all only made him yearn for freedom.When