"Eat something first, then take a bath and get some rest. I've had someone prepare clothes and everything else for you. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow."Hank's words gave me a sense of security I had never felt before.Once he had made sure everything was in place, he left.Before he walked out, his final words to me were, "Don't worry. I'll make sure to get to the bottom of this. Stay here and don't be afraid."I wanted to say something in response, but I couldn't find the words. Instead, I silently thanked him in my heart.It wasn't long after Hank left when my phone rang, and it was Lonnie."Olivia, where are you? Do you have any idea how much Maxine drank? She was kind enough to offer you a job, and this is how you repay her?"Lonnie was furious, and I could almost picture him gritting his teeth.But what he didn't know was that, back when I was struggling alone in the entertainment industry, those same people had forced alcohol down my throat because they knew Lonnie w
As soon as I stepped downstairs, I saw dozens of reporters crowding outside the door. Then, I received a message from Maxine.[Didn't expect this, did you, Olivia? I've installed a tracker on your phone.[Those reporters are really interested in the washed-up former star being supported by the Vargases' only grandson.[No need to thank me. Just enjoy my gift!]Sure enough, before anyone had even found any concrete evidence, the rumor about me being 'kept' had already spread online.I gripped my phone tightly, my mind running wild with thoughts of how I wanted to tear Maxine into a thousand pieces.But right now, the overwhelming emotion was fear.I was terrified of the reporters, of the flashing cameras, and of the way they would coldly expose my past and ask why I chose to be a sugar baby after everything that had happened.Almost instinctively, I dialed Hank's number.But there was no answer. Then I remembered, he had mentioned being busy with work at the company, so his pho
After comforting me, Hank turned his attention to Lonnie, who was sprawled on the floor. Lonnie got up and looked like he was about to make another move, but Hank had at least twenty men with him, and two burly bodyguards quickly pinned Lonnie to the ground."Heh, so you're that the Vargases' only grandson? Do you have some kind of fetish for taken women?"Lonnie spat bitter words, but Hank wasn't fazed. "Mr. Vaughn, Olivia hasn't married you yet, right? Do you have a problem with me pursuing her?"Lonnie fell silent, and even I was momentarily stunned.Then Hank reached over and took a few documents and a USB drive from his bodyguards."Would you like to see the video from three months ago, Mr. Vaughn?"A chill ran down my spine, but I knew that the original video wasn't of me, and the voice had been altered.Lonnie sneered at me. "So this is your kink, huh? Do you two often watch this kind of stuff together?"Even now, he was still slandering me.Hank said, "Maybe this video
Lonnie reached for my hand, but I quickly stepped back."Olivia, I-I'm sorry..."Was an apology still worth anything now?When he saw I was ignoring him, he seemed panicked. "Actually, I do love you. I just got too proud, and I misunderstood. I'll make sure Maxine gets what she deserves. Please, can you forgive me?"I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Was he really expecting me to forgive everything just because of a few words?I hadn't forgotten the coldness in his voice when I called him, nor the insults and humiliation he'd thrown at me during my return."And what about you? Don't you think you deserve any punishment?" I asked him.Lonnie was speechless."I can't live without you, Olivia. Please, if you just promise me you'll never associate with Hank again, we'll get married right away, and we can forget everything that happened before. What do you say?"His words tumbled out unthinkingly."Forget everything? That's only something I can say, not you. I'm the victim here.
I had been trapped in this pitch-black room for three excruciating months. It wasn't until the leader of the kidnappers received a call that I saw a glimmer of hope. A woman's voice came through the line. "She's not dead yet, is she? Let her go." Only then was I released. But before they let me leave, I endured yet another round of inhumane torment. By then, such treatment had become routine. My body was broken, my spirit numb. The man buttoned his pants after finishing, spat on me, and sneered, "How pathetic. Look at this ruined body. Let's see how you'll ever show your face again, Miss Privileged Superstar!" After they left, I lay motionless for three whole hours before finally mustering the strength to stand. I didn't know where to go—I just wanted to escape this nightmare. Somehow, my aimless stumbling led me to the heart of the city. But instead of salvation, I was greeted by a barrage of blinding flashes. Dozens of cameras were shoved into my face, their o
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, keepi
Lonnie's face twisted in displeasure as he looked at me. His voice was as cold as ice. "Didn't you hear Maxine talking to you? What kind of attitude are you trying to pull now? If it weren't for Maxine pleading on your behalf, I would've kicked you out of the Vaughns a long time ago."I forced a bitter smile. If I could go back three months, I'd beg Lonnie to throw me out of the Vaughns. But I didn't dare utter those words. Maxine's unwavering gaze was a clear warning not to say anything reckless. I feared that if she were displeased, she'd persuade Lonnie to have me taken away again. After all, in this household, she was the one Lonnie trusted most."I-I'm sorry. I promise I won't do it again…" I murmured, biting my lip as I cautiously apologized.Surely, if I apologized enough, I wouldn't be subjected to more torment. Maxine's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the table. "Olivia, I made a special dish just for you today. You have to
"Tubby was the only thing my parents left me," I sobbed. Lonnie's stern expression softened slightly as he cast a complex gaze my way. Maxine's voice, pitiful yet deliberate, broke the moment. "Olivia, Tubby was already on the verge of death. He was so old. I just thought… I thought it would be better for him to serve one last purpose and help nurse you back to health. It's for your own good. But if you're upset, I'll make it right—I'll trade my life for Tubby's!" As she spoke, she grabbed a knife from the counter, aiming it at herself. Lonnie was quick, snatching the blade from her hand. "Maxine! This isn't your fault!" "Let me die, Lonnie! It's the only way Olivia won't hate me anymore!" Maxine's anguished cries filled the room as Lonnie wrestled the knife away and pulled her into a protective embrace while she bawled her eyes out. Then, he turned to me, his eyes blazing. "Olivia! Do you even have a heart? Maxine's willing to go this far, and yet all you care
Lonnie reached for my hand, but I quickly stepped back."Olivia, I-I'm sorry..."Was an apology still worth anything now?When he saw I was ignoring him, he seemed panicked. "Actually, I do love you. I just got too proud, and I misunderstood. I'll make sure Maxine gets what she deserves. Please, can you forgive me?"I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Was he really expecting me to forgive everything just because of a few words?I hadn't forgotten the coldness in his voice when I called him, nor the insults and humiliation he'd thrown at me during my return."And what about you? Don't you think you deserve any punishment?" I asked him.Lonnie was speechless."I can't live without you, Olivia. Please, if you just promise me you'll never associate with Hank again, we'll get married right away, and we can forget everything that happened before. What do you say?"His words tumbled out unthinkingly."Forget everything? That's only something I can say, not you. I'm the victim here.
After comforting me, Hank turned his attention to Lonnie, who was sprawled on the floor. Lonnie got up and looked like he was about to make another move, but Hank had at least twenty men with him, and two burly bodyguards quickly pinned Lonnie to the ground."Heh, so you're that the Vargases' only grandson? Do you have some kind of fetish for taken women?"Lonnie spat bitter words, but Hank wasn't fazed. "Mr. Vaughn, Olivia hasn't married you yet, right? Do you have a problem with me pursuing her?"Lonnie fell silent, and even I was momentarily stunned.Then Hank reached over and took a few documents and a USB drive from his bodyguards."Would you like to see the video from three months ago, Mr. Vaughn?"A chill ran down my spine, but I knew that the original video wasn't of me, and the voice had been altered.Lonnie sneered at me. "So this is your kink, huh? Do you two often watch this kind of stuff together?"Even now, he was still slandering me.Hank said, "Maybe this video
As soon as I stepped downstairs, I saw dozens of reporters crowding outside the door. Then, I received a message from Maxine.[Didn't expect this, did you, Olivia? I've installed a tracker on your phone.[Those reporters are really interested in the washed-up former star being supported by the Vargases' only grandson.[No need to thank me. Just enjoy my gift!]Sure enough, before anyone had even found any concrete evidence, the rumor about me being 'kept' had already spread online.I gripped my phone tightly, my mind running wild with thoughts of how I wanted to tear Maxine into a thousand pieces.But right now, the overwhelming emotion was fear.I was terrified of the reporters, of the flashing cameras, and of the way they would coldly expose my past and ask why I chose to be a sugar baby after everything that had happened.Almost instinctively, I dialed Hank's number.But there was no answer. Then I remembered, he had mentioned being busy with work at the company, so his pho
"Eat something first, then take a bath and get some rest. I've had someone prepare clothes and everything else for you. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow."Hank's words gave me a sense of security I had never felt before.Once he had made sure everything was in place, he left.Before he walked out, his final words to me were, "Don't worry. I'll make sure to get to the bottom of this. Stay here and don't be afraid."I wanted to say something in response, but I couldn't find the words. Instead, I silently thanked him in my heart.It wasn't long after Hank left when my phone rang, and it was Lonnie."Olivia, where are you? Do you have any idea how much Maxine drank? She was kind enough to offer you a job, and this is how you repay her?"Lonnie was furious, and I could almost picture him gritting his teeth.But what he didn't know was that, back when I was struggling alone in the entertainment industry, those same people had forced alcohol down my throat because they knew Lonnie w
Desperation clouded my judgment. Without asking him who he really was, I grabbed Hank's hand and pleaded, "Please, let me go! Lonnie's tormenting me to death—I'm begging you, just let me go! All you have to do is tell him I wasn't here when you came. That's it!"Frantically, I pulled a necklace from my bag and offered it to him. "Here! Take this. Please, just let me go!"Hank's expression grew complicated, a flicker of concern crossing his face."I'm serious. Lonnie will send me to the wolves. He'll let people torture me. I can't go through that again. I'm begging you—give me a chance to escape!"I was on the brink of collapse, barely clinging to hope.Hank sighed heavily and pushed the necklace back into my bag. "Where do you want to go?"It felt like a glimmer of salvation. "The beach! Cedric bought me a villa by the sea once—it's there!"He hesitated, mulling over my words. "Are you sure they don't know about that place? What if they find you?"He had a point. Lonnie knew ab
On the screen, Maxine wore a white dress adorned with gardenia patterns, her delicate makeup glowing under the camera flashes, making her seem even more endearing."Maxine, we heard you've hired Olivia as your assistant. Many online users think this could negatively affect your career. What's your take on that?"Maxine held the microphone, feigning a slightly nervous expression. Tilting her head as if deep in thought, she replied with a bashful smile, "Hmm... honestly, I don't think it'll have much of an impact. Olivia and I are really good friends. Even though she... did those things, I wouldn't abandon her. Besides, she wouldn't be able to find a job on her own right now, so of course, I want to help her out."Maxine's response aired, immediately earning waves of praise from the audience.[Aww, Maxine is just too adorable.][Olivia's so lucky to have a friend like Maxine.][Maxine is so kind-hearted! I just hope Olivia doesn't betray her someday.][Maxine, you're the best! I l
The next day, I woke up around noon to the sound of their return. Lonnie glanced at me as I came downstairs in my pajamas, his expression immediately darkening. "Sleeping until midday? Do you really think you're some kind of pampered princess?" He had no idea that last night was the first time in three months I'd actually slept soundly. Lowering my head, I stayed silent, trying not to provoke him. Any spark of his anger would only lead to consequences I couldn't bear. Maxine, ever the actress, chimed in with a sweetly understanding tone. "Oh, Lonnie, this is just Olivia's habit. Don't be so harsh on her, okay?" Lonnie's face softened as he turned to Maxine, his voice practically dripping with approval. "Now, this is someone who knows how to behave. Olivia, you should really take a page from Maxine's book." Maxine tilted her head, feigning shyness. "By the way, Olivia, can you teach me how to act?" I froze. What was Maxine playing at now? She hesitated for a mome
The two of them left together, arm in arm, leaving me alone to clean up the mess in the kitchen. After tidying everything up, I took the pot of soup and poured it into the garden. I dug a small hole in the spot Tubby had loved most when he was alive. In my heart, I whispered countless apologies to him, but no amount of words could erase the guilt that consumed me. All I could do was pray that in his next life, he wouldn't have a master like me—that he could live happily and carefree. Back in my room, I changed out of my tattered clothes. To hide the bruises on my body, I had found a discarded coat in a nearby garbage pile after escaping from that dark room. It was the only way to conceal the shameful marks etched into my skin. Even lying in bed, I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes. I was terrified that the moment I did, I'd wake up back in that nightmare, enduring the same torment all over again. If that happened, I wasn't sure I could keep my sanity. My phone buzze
"Tubby was the only thing my parents left me," I sobbed. Lonnie's stern expression softened slightly as he cast a complex gaze my way. Maxine's voice, pitiful yet deliberate, broke the moment. "Olivia, Tubby was already on the verge of death. He was so old. I just thought… I thought it would be better for him to serve one last purpose and help nurse you back to health. It's for your own good. But if you're upset, I'll make it right—I'll trade my life for Tubby's!" As she spoke, she grabbed a knife from the counter, aiming it at herself. Lonnie was quick, snatching the blade from her hand. "Maxine! This isn't your fault!" "Let me die, Lonnie! It's the only way Olivia won't hate me anymore!" Maxine's anguished cries filled the room as Lonnie wrestled the knife away and pulled her into a protective embrace while she bawled her eyes out. Then, he turned to me, his eyes blazing. "Olivia! Do you even have a heart? Maxine's willing to go this far, and yet all you care