Chapter 1

The sedative hadn't fully worn off. I lay slumped in the back seat, too weak to lift even a finger. Gabriel Caldwell and his parents spoke in low voices, their words muffled and hard to make out.

Gabriel and I had been together since college. Our relationship was steady, and we never had any conflicts.

Before Christmas, he looked at me with a sincere expression and said he wanted to bring me home to meet his parents and discuss our future together.

Hoping to make a good impression, I had spent several days preparing meticulously. I bought a brand-new cashmere coat, had my hair done, and brought two bottles of fine wine along with a stack of gift boxes.

But the moment I sat down and drank half a glass of water poured by Gabriel's mother, Zoe Callahan, my vision began to blur.

Gabriel looked aggrieved. "Evelyn, don't blame me. I had no choice. I owe them five million dollars. How could I ever pay that back? They'll really cut off my hands."

I tried to curse at him, but my tongue wouldn't cooperate. All I could manage was a string of garbled sounds.

He continued, "Don't be upset. Being with Mr. Kensington isn't a bad thing. You're his type. You'll be living in luxury with him. Isn't that better than staying with me? I'm doing this for both of us. It's a win-win, you know?"

A win-win? What a joke.

The car sped through the darkness as the scenery blurred past the window. I struggled to focus, trying to figure out where we were heading.

The car gradually slowed and finally stopped in front of a massive iron gate etched with intricate patterns. This place, this gate, this estate… it couldn't be.

My heart jolted, and my foggy mind instantly cleared a little.

Gabriel and Zoe hauled me out of the car, one on each side, dragging me across the front courtyard of the estate. My cashmere coat was pulled askew, and my high heels were long gone.

Two men stood at the entrance, their backs straight and their faces blank as they watched us approach.

Gabriel's father, Benjamin Caldwell, leaned forward and gave them a flattering smile.

He said, "Gentlemen, please let Mr. Kensington know that we really couldn't come up with the money, so we found a new way to settle the debt. We've brought him a Christmas gift. He'll definitely like it."

One of the men shone a flashlight on my face, making me squint. His voice was flat. "You mean this woman?"

Zoe quickly chimed in, grabbing my chin and forcing my face up. "Yes. She's my son's girlfriend. Look at her—doesn't she resemble the woman Mr. Kensington visits at the cemetery every year? We asked around and found that out.

"Plus, she studied dance, so she's very flexible. She'll definitely know how to please a man in bed."

My stomach churned.

The man stayed silent for a few seconds, then gestured to the person beside him. "Go inform Mr. Kensington."

He turned back to us. "Whether this works out isn't up to me. Come inside and wait."

Gabriel immediately nodded and lowered his head. "Thank you very much!"

Then they led me toward the main building.

When they dragged me into the reception room on the first floor, my legs were too weak to stand, and I collapsed onto the cold floor.

"Mr. Kensington is meeting someone. Wait here."

With that, the man left.

Once the door closed, Gabriel crouched in front of me, his face a mix of anxiety and calculation. "Evelyn, please help me, just this once."

He grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "When Mr. Kensington gets here, tell him you came willingly. Please, I'm begging you. I won't look down on you for this. I'll treat you well from now on!"

I stared at him, unable to make a sound.

Zoe moved closer, her nails nearly digging into my arm. "Say something. If the Caldwell family goes under, you're not going to have it easy either. Gabriel is your boyfriend, so you should help him!"

"Mom, don't scare her."

Gabriel pretended to calm her down, then turned back to me and softened his tone. "Evelyn, I know you're angry, but I truly have no way out. I owe them five million dollars… They'll kill me."

The sedative slowly wore off. Sensation returned to my limbs, and I could move the tip of my tongue.

I took a deep breath and forced out a few hoarse words. "Get lost… I won't help you."