Chapter 2

I curled up tightly, trying my best to keep myself out of Lonnie's sight.

I was filthy, unworthy of being seen by him.

He looked down at me, his brows furrowed. "Still not speaking? Three months, and you're still the same pathetic mess, huh?"

I frantically shook my head. "No, no, Mr. Vaughn. I-I'll change. I promise…"

Three months ago, I swore I hadn't done any of those things. But now, after enduring endless torment, I could only nod and admit to whatever they accused me of.

"Hmmph." Lonnie flicked his cigarette aside. "You'd better. Get in the car. Don't keep Maxine waiting at home."

With that, he turned and walked toward the car without another glance at me.

Maxine Dittman. The mastermind behind everything. How could I forget?

When we returned to the Vaughn estate, I stepped out of the car, intending to head to the main hall and pay my respects to Lonnie's grandfather, Cedric Vaughn, who had passed not long ago.

But Lonnie's bodyguard grabbed my arm, keeping me from moving forward.

"Olivia, with how filthy you are, do you think you're worthy of paying respects to Grandpa? Don't taint his memory."

So, I wasn't even allowed to pay my respects to Cedric.

Lonnie decreed that from now on, I was forbidden from approaching the main hall or entering the Vaughn estate through the front door. I was a disgrace to the Vaughns and all of Antevia—a shame that only deserved to use the side entrance.

The Vaughn family was known for its strict traditions. Having lived here for over a decade, I knew this all too well.

And so, while Lonnie walked proudly through the front door with his hands in his pockets, I was forced to sneak in through the side entrance under the watchful eyes of his bodyguards.

By the time I reached the dining room, Maxine had already set the table with an impressive spread of dishes.

The moment she saw Lonnie, she quickly removed her apron and darted into his arms like a delicate butterfly.

"Lonnie, why did you take so long?" she whined playfully. "Your favorite fish stew is practically overcooked!"

Her voice was sweet and coquettish, as though she were the lady of the house.

But Maxine was nothing more than a girl I had rescued from a bar a year ago—a girl I had thought I was helping.

After teasing Lonnie for a while, she finally turned her gaze to me.

"Olivia, you're back?"

Her innocent, harmless smile was almost convincing, but I knew better. That expression concealed the greed and cunning that had orchestrated my downfall.

Three months ago, I had groveled in Lonnie's study, begging him to hear me out—to verify if the scandalous videos had been doctored with face-swapping technology.

Maxine had brought tea into the room, looking at me with feigned concern as I groveled.

Back then, I had clutched her pant leg, pleading with her to help me convince Lonnie to look into the matter.

But when Lonnie wasn't looking, she had stomped on my arm with cruel force.

Then, with her trademark innocent smile, she said softly to Lonnie, "Lonnie, a woman like Olivia needs to be taught a lesson. If not, she might cause serious trouble."

She crouched down and gently wiped the tears from my face. "Olivia, don't try to argue anymore. It's okay if your body is tainted, as long as your heart stays pure."

A chill ran through my body, making every hair stand on end.

The moment she glanced at me with triumph in her eyes, I knew my nightmare was about to begin.

Not long after, I was kidnapped by a group of men.

When they called Lonnie to demand ransom, Maxine had been by his side, her voice calm and cutting as she said, "Olivia's tainted. She needs to be taught a lesson."

Lonnie's response was cold and indifferent. "I never want to see her again."

Those words drove my captors to torment me even more brutally.

Now, seeing Maxine's face again, my entire body trembled uncontrollably.