Chapter 2

Nicholas heard the bathroom door open and shut as he let the cold water from the shower run down his too-hot body. On the floor was a mess of fallen toiletries and broken mugs, but the butterfly-shaped hair clip in the corner was the most eye-catching.

It was quite a fancy and elegant hair accessory.

An urgent voice came from outside the door. "Mr. Montgomery, how are you feeling?"

The next second, a man in a suit barged into the bathroom with the antitoxin for whatever drug now coursing through Nicholas' system. Nicholas took the antitoxin, ate it, and grabbed a towel to wrap around himself. His handsome, impassive face was devoid of any warmth.

"Did you find anything?" Nicholas asked.

Marcus Montgomery handed Nicholas a tablet. "You caused quite a stir when you barged into the Youngbloods' business dinner party. This woman set her sights on you and spiked the wine delivered by the hotel."

The image of the woman with thick, dramatic makeup discomfited Nicholas. Without sparing the image another glance, he picked up the black-tailed dart on the table, fiddling with it as he said, "Have her taken care of."

With a flick of his wrist, the dart flew through the air with a whoosh and struck the dartboard on the opposing wall.

Marcus looked uneasy. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Mr. Montgomery. She's the eldest daughter of the Youngblood family. You know the Youngbloods dominate Glenhallow's social hierarchy—it'd be bad for us if we stirred up trouble in their territory.

"However, the Youngbloods intend to bid on the Aster Avenue project. If you want to teach the Youngbloods a lesson, you can always sabotage their chances of getting the project."

"In that case, bring the bidding forward to tomorrow night," Nicholas said.

"Tomorrow night's too soon, don't you think?" Marcus didn't think it was a wise move. They'd come to Glenhallow because of the tender conference in three days. If they brought it forward, the contenders would not have time to prepare, which might affect the bidding outcome.

"Those who are capable will find a way to cope with the sudden change. Bring the tender conference forward," Nicholas said, waving his hand.

Marcus was about to turn and leave when Nicholas stopped him. "Who was that woman earlier?"

Marcus froze. "What woman?"

After Nicholas was drugged, Marcus escorted him to the room and left to search for an antitoxin. He certainly hadn't let any woman get close to Nicholas.

Nicholas tossed the hair clip into Marcus' hand. "I want all her details."

…

Elena had only just entered the front door of Youngblood Manor when a hand grabbed her and pulled her into a corner.

"Where did you go just now?" Joel Youngblood had a savage look about him as he gripped Elena's shoulders. Just then, Talia entered without a hair out of place, even as she cursed Elena under her breath.

Elena clutched her skirts tightly. Talia had gotten away unscathed despite the scene she'd made. It seemed Joel had covered up for Talia like a devoted older brother would. But did he really think that was enough to keep Talia safe?

"Why is there another man's smell on you? Who were you hanging out with?" Joel demanded with near-maniacal rage when he detected a strange scent on Elena. "Speak!"

"I'm injured and far too drained to go around seducing men," Elena pointed out. "You're jumping to conclusions, Joel."

At the mention of Elena's injuries, hurt and sympathy flashed in Joel's eyes. "You could have asked me for help when Talia picked on you. Why did you run away?"

Elena laughed softly. "What would you have done if I'd come to you, Joel?"

Joel always bristled whenever she took such a patronizing tone with him. "I've already taught Talia a lesson. She won't dare to hurt you after this."

Naturally, Elena didn't believe him. This wasn't the first time Talia had attacked her, and Joel always sided with Talia. It seemed whatever superficial affection he had for Elena was eclipsed by his brotherly love for Talia.

"I'm tired. I'm going up to rest," Elena said.

She was about to walk away when Joel suddenly pinned her to the wall and forcefully kissed her. "Do I get on your nerves so much that you refuse to talk to me for even a second longer?"

"I suggest you let go of me, Joel. Wouldn't want Dad catching us and getting the wrong idea," Elena reminded, turning her head to the side to dodge Joel's kiss, her expression neutral.

Angered, Joel clutched her lower jaw. "Are you threatening me?"

She gave him an obedient smile. "I was only reminding you that Dad is the head of the family."

Her words found their mark. Joel was the eldest scion of the Youngblood family. He graduated from a prestigious college at 20 and took over Youngblood Corporation afterward. He was a renowned wunderkind in Glenhallow's business scene.

However, behind Joel's glorious facade hid the cold, hard truth of Youngblood Corporation—Remus Youngblood was still running the company from the shadows.

Although many years had passed, Remus still did not trust Joel fully to completely hand over the reins to Youngblood Corporation, a fact that stung Joel. While both father and son appeared amicable, the seed of resentment had been sown between them long ago.

Elena shoved Joel aside and headed for the staircase.

Joel watched her leave, the bitterness of unreciprocated love brewing in his eyes. "Elena, I'm the only one you can depend on in this family!"

A snort bubbled up in Elena's throat. What a bold statement for Joel to make when the Youngblood family was made up of crooks!

Elena was originally the heiress of the Salvatore family, the formerly wealthiest family in Glenhallow. She'd enjoyed a happy family life, and her parents doted on her. But 15 years ago, the Youngbloods sabotaged them.

Edgar Salvatore, Elena's father, leaped to his death from the 32nd floor of a building. Amber Grant, Elena's mother, slit her wrists to escape the humiliation and bullying she'd endured.

Elena lost her entire family overnight.

After that, the Youngbloods adopted her and changed her last name to Youngblood. She had no one to rely on, which made her an easy bullying target and plaything for others.

Her adoptive mother and Talia picked on her. Joel wanted to claim her for himself. And Remus, the man who had as good as murdered Edgar and Amber, treated Elena as a replica of Amber and harbored illicit feelings for her.

Elena headed upstairs, step by step, without looking back.

She was living under someone else's roof. More specifically, she was living in the Youngbloods' attic, the darkest and tiniest space in the manor. Her meals consisted of the Youngbloods' leftovers, and even her outfits were chosen by Remus.

Elena hadn't lived freely for over a decade; she was no better than a prisoner.

She opened the rusty door and was greeted by the single, yellow lamp that shone dimly within. When she first moved into the attic, she was terrified. But after a while, she gradually got used to it.

"I don't remember permitting you to come home so late." A cold, menacing voice sounded behind Elena. Remus stood by the door and adjusted his gold-framed glasses, which glinted maliciously.

Elena's spine stiffened. Since she was a child, Remus never allowed her to appear in public aside from attending school. Everyone knew the Youngbloods had an adopted daughter, but had no idea who she was.

Remus was watchful and paranoid. He wouldn't believe Elena had disappeared for several hours that night without a good reason.

"I wasn't feeling well and dozed off at the hotel." She subtly revealed the injuries on her arm—the bruises and the cuts left by the dinner knife. The sight of them was jarring, indeed.

Remus saw the injuries when he inched forward. "What happened to your arm?"

Elena bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "Talia was in a bad mood. She didn't mean to stab me with a dinner knife."

Remus looked grim when he heard this. He turned toward the door and roared down the corridor, "Bring Talia to the study!"

With that, he stormed off, the promise of violence rolling off his frame. Before long, pleas for mercy rang out from within the study.

Elena perched before the mirror and stared at herself, a faint smile curving her lips. She looked demure and amenable, but a terrifying cruelty lay beneath her pleasant facade.

She picked up the brush and removed all the accessories from her hair, letting it cascade down her back like a velvet curtain.