Vicky tightly grasped the icy iron bars. "Do you know the reason Tyler and I broke up?""I heard you lost your memory, and I guess it's true," the maid said, standing against the light, her expression obscured by darkness."Ms. Shaw, back then, you were truly too naive and were completely deceived by Missus Hart. You thought she'd treat Tyler well and love him...but you couldn't be more wrong."She took a few steps back, surveying the cage before her and whispering softly, "Back then, Tyler was locked in a cage by Missus Hart, just like you are now..." A peculiar smile appeared on her face. "You painfully sacrificed your love and broke up with him, unaware that you were pushing him into a treacherous abyss and a realm of despair."Vicky was shaken. "What are you saying?"The woman crouched down to meet Vicky's gaze, her voice slow and gentle. "Mister Tyler suffered a great deal here... Missus Hart was afraid of leaving any evidence, so she couldn't resort to obvious means. To tort
"Yeah." The maid nodded. "Mister Tyler searched the entire mansion and didn't find you anywhere, so his attention will be drawn elsewhere.""Do Mister and Missus Hart plan on killing me?""They want to but are both hesitant about it. Right now, they don't want to worsen their conflicts with Mister Tyler. If they kill you and Mister Tyler finds out, he might not stop at severing all ties with the Hart Family... Who knows what cruelty he'll be capable of?"Vicky frowned and wanted to argue but decided against it in the end."I can't stay here for too long. If Missus Hart finds out that I'm a spy, I can only imagine what'll happen to me," the maid continued. "She doesn't want Mister Tyler to find out about any of this, so no one is allowed to get out of the mansion. All communication devices have been confiscated, so I can't seek help from the outside world for you."She glanced at her watch and sped up her speech. "The most dangerous place is often the safest as well. You've been tr
"Tyler, I agree to leave with you... I like the ocean, so let's settle down somewhere near the ocean, okay?""Can you remove my cuffs? I want to design our home.""How does this design look? Do you want to make any amendments?"Vicky put up a great act and appeared to be dreaming of their future together, so Tyler eventually started envisioning their lives together as well.He had always been composed and realistic, so he was never one to fantasize about the future.He let his guard down and found himself drowning in the idealistic picture she painted for their future, only to find out that everything was merely an act.She escaped when he went outside and came close to truly getting away.He was furious like he never was before, in a way that he had never felt even when he was tortured by his mother.When Tyler caught her once again, Vicky stared at him with despair in her eyes."Why does it have to be me? Why?"Tyler never asked why things were the way they were and had not
The night was as dark as ink when the door to the mansion flew open.Before the guards had time to react, they were all restrained by the intruders.Tyler glanced at Harry and ordered, "Gather everyone in the mansion. Quickly."Harry instantly realized that Tyler wanted to prevent anyone from leaving through the secret passages.Everyone who worked for Tyler was professional and quick on their feet. Soon, every person in the mansion was gathered in one place and guarded.Orion and Valencia, who were informed about the intrusion, hurried over."Tyler, how dare you barge into your parent's house in the middle of the night like this?!" Orion questioned furiously.Tyler shot them a cold look. "I'll ask you one more time: Where is Vicky?"Orion and Valencia both guessed why Tyler was there and managed to keep their composure.Valencia frowned. "How would we know where she is? You didn't believe us and searched the mansion once before, didn't you? What do you want now?""I think yo
There were secret passages in the mansion, so none of them understood why the maid was found.Before Orion and Valencia could comprehend the situation, Tyler was already standing before the maid."Everyone was gathered in the yard, so where were you going?" he asked.The maid kneeled on the ground, panicking. "I... I...""Speak up." Tyler narrowed his eyes sharply.The maid trembled under his glare and glanced at Orion and Valencia for help.Tyler instantly caught onto the look she directed at the couple and glanced at Harry, who immediately stepped forward to stop the maid from looking at Orion and Valencia."Miss, you should know that you're in Zendonia, as well as who it is that rules over this land." Harry's voice was soft but steady, so everyone could hear him. "Missus Hart has gone missing right now, and if Mister Hart finds out that someone knows Missus Hart's whereabouts yet fails to report it...do you really need me to spell out the consequences for you? Naturally, if y
Vicky stopped and glanced around before spotting the elegant ladies sitting under the pavilion in the distance.Vicky stepped over and the ladies immediately stopped chatting to stare at her in contempt.One of the women said, "Are you Vicky Shaw?"Vicky looked at her. "Yes. And you are?"The woman lifted her chin with a prideful look on her beautiful face. "I'm Tyler's mother."Vicky jolted in shock.Tyler rarely mentioned his parents, and all Vicky knew was that his relationship with them was astringed. She also knew that the status of the Harts had been falling in recent years.Sensing her confusion, Valencia said, "I'm Tyler's biological mother. The couple you're probably thinking of is merely his adoptive parents."Vicky was shocked for a few moments but soon accepted it.'It's no wonder that Tyler isn't close with his parents. So they aren't related after all,' Vicky thought, feeling happy for Tyler as she thought that this was Tyler's chance of being loved by his true f
Vicky's status was not considered low, but compared to the Hart family, the difference was indeed immense. Even with the support of her family, she was hardly worthy of being wed to the likes of Tyler.During that time, Tyler was busy resolving his company's crisis, so they rarely saw each other.As a result, Vicky was constantly invited by Missus Hart to accompany her, under the guise of teaching Vicky proper manners and etiquette. In reality, she did not learn much about etiquette, and Missus Hart simply took her to numerous banquets and social gatherings.At first, Vicky thought Missus Hart wanted to broaden her horizons, but as she faced more and more ridicule and gossip, Vicky finally realized the truth.Missus Hart was a force to be reckoned with and managed to hide her true intention all along. Despite all the difficulties, mockery, and grievances, Vicky did not admit defeat. She silently endured and kept herself from mentioning any of the events to Tyler."Vicky. Vicky..."
Orion glanced at the servant and said, "Tyler, your mother and I had no idea why she'd say something like that. Besides, she's brought from the Harts' old mansion…so who knows, she might be a spy sent by another relative to drive a wedge between us."Although Vicky was found here, the words of a servant alone were not enough evidence to pin the crime on them. What could Tyler do to them as long as they denied, denied, denied it repeatedly? No matter what, they were his biological parents, which meant they could do no wrong.There was nothing Tyler could do even if they killed Vicky. If he did, he would be labeled as 'the unfilial and ungrateful son' for the rest of his life.Tyler narrowed his eyes, which were overflowing with coldness. He was about to say something when he felt someone tugging on his arm. He turned around just in time for Vicky to pass out gently into his arms.Tyler drew his lips into a thin line and lifted Vicky. Then, he took one glance at Orion and Valencia be