"Is that smile a form of celebration, huh?"
Landen's heavy voice suddenly sounded behind the wide-open walk-in-closet door. Darlene gasped. Her face instantly turned pale. She stood rigid. That man... must have misunderstood her. "You've managed to raise your family's status by deceiving me," he continued. "Then what, you plan to poison me and inherit my fortune, is that it?!" A loud voice echoed in the room, so sharp and accusatory. "M. Landen... you misunderstand. I-" Before she could explain Landen pushed her against the wall and gripped her cheek firmly. Their faces almost touched until their breath seemed to merge. The clinking sound of the stick he threw to the floor was so loud, it made Darlene's heart seem to stop for a moment. Her eyes widened as she realized one thing; Landen's leg was... fine. "So... it was all a lie?" whispered Darlene to herself. Landen grinned hatefully. "I'll show you how to properly celebrate a victory." In no time, Darlene was dragged into the bathroom. Under the rushing shower water her body lay limp. Her dress was torn, her wet hair stuck to her face and her wounded lips began to sting. "Mr. Landen, w-what are you going to do...?" she asked in a trembling voice - as she watched Landen quickly remove his shirt and pants. "You think?" replied Landen sarcastically. "A lowly woman like you wants to live in luxury, right? Then show me your worth!" he said, taking the belt and rolling it in his hands. Darlene's body shook violently. Fear seeming to envelop her body and soul, she fell to her knees and begged for mercy. But suddenly her wet eyes caught something- that looked familiar. She slowly approached Landen- kneeling down with one hand touching the ten centimeter long wound, which was on Landen's waist. "This wound...." Her voice was hoarse, barely audible. "Mr. Landen... you-" Landen didn't let her finish her sentence, the body was lifted suddenly and brought into the bathtub. "Mr. Landen, h-help... I beg-akh!" An hour passed. Landen rose slowly, grasping the towel and looking at her sharply. "This is just the beginning. Get ready for the next punishment," he said, before leaving the bathroom without another look. "You're... so cruel." Darlene sobbed softly, gripping the side of the bathtub as if seeking strength. "If you only knew I was that girl...." Outside, Landen grabbed his cell phone and dialed someone. *** "You're crazy, man!" Doctor Andrew threw his briefcase on the table. "You know what you're doing? She's a virgin!" Landen just sipped his drink with a cold expression, completely unconcerned with his friend's ramblings. Meanwhile, his other friend looked curious. "What's going on? You hired a woman?" "Wow, this isn't the usual Landen." They were currently in the VIP room of a nightclub owned by one of them. "No, it's not. This looks like... she's Landen's girlfriend. Guys... finally our president director can move on!" Doctor Andrew laughed as he clapped his hands. "Olivia, she'll definitely-" He immediately covered his mouth when he realized that his words were wrong. Instantly the atmosphere of the VIP room turned tense. "Can't you shut your mouth?" The dim lights couldn't hide the anger on Landen's face. "I only told you to look into it, not meddle in my business." He took a check from his wallet and gave it to Doctor Andrew. "This is to pay for your services and your... mouth. Next time, only open your mouth when I tell you to." Landen got up, picked up his cane and walked away. Before closing the door, he said flatly, "She's a nobody. Olivia will never be replaced. You should know that." "Landen, I didn't mean-" Doctor Andrew scratched his head and chased after Landen. "Alright, I'm sorry! Don't forget to remind her to apply the ointment... and the pills you wanted are on your desk!" Landen ignored his friend's shouting and called his secretary to get the car ready. Arriving home. "Mr. Landen, you're drunk. You'd better take the elevator, I'll help you to your room." Theo- Landen's secretary, chased after him. But Landen refused and told the man to rest, as they were going out of town tomorrow. As his feet began to climb the stairs, he remembered Darlene's screams and cries - as she begged him to stop - which did little to break his bad opinion of her. But her father's sly smile - as he approached and threatened him - suddenly appeared, making his anger return and his sympathy vanish. "She's a virgin?" he muttered sarcastically. "Nonsense. It's all just her tricks. She even crawled up to me like a street bitch." Once inside the room, he saw Darlene sitting on the floor. Her body was wrapped in a thick blanket, and she was... crying. But instead of feeling guilty, Landen sneered. "Are you waiting for round two?" Darlene shook her head. This time she wasn't going to let him misunderstand her again. She tried to get up, but the pain and stinging all over her body sent her crashing to the bed. Landen laughed sarcastically. "Cut the theatrics. I know what you want." He threw the blanket off Darlene's body and pressed against her. The smell of alcohol was palpable. Darlene feared a repeat of what happened a few hours ago. She tried to remove Landen from her body. "Mr. Landen, please let me go..." "You refused me? Isn't this what you wanted? To fuck and drain a rich man's money." Darlene shook her head. "Please don't do that again. It... hurts so much!" She cried and screamed, begging for mercy. But Landen ignored her. As if possessed by alcohol and vengeance, he continued to touch and kiss her roughly. The body was like a doll to him, picked up and tossed around-repeatedly. But suddenly he stopped. The object around her neck caught his attention. His headache increased and his vision became blurry. "Tonight, this is your punishment," Landen said as he put on his clothes. He left Darlene to go to his office. "No..." Landen shook his head. "That woman is definitely not her. She's-"
