Chapter 2

Immediately after, I was hauled up by Kai and Eliana and dragged out of the suite like a dead dog. At the end of the hallway, more than a dozen bodyguards stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, their intimidating presence radiating an icy, oppressive air.

The man leading them strode toward us. I kept my eyes half-lidded, but I recognized him—Hugh Smith.

Seven years ago, he was merely a perimeter guard who wasn't even qualified to open doors for me. I had never expected Hugh to have risen through the ranks to become Dad's right-hand man while I had been wandering outside all these years.

The arrogant and domineering demeanor that Kai and Eliana had displayed just moments ago vanished into thin air, replaced by servile, obsequious smiles. "Hugh, we've brought her to you."

Hugh cast a condescending look at them. His gaze was like frost-tipped blades as it ultimately landed on me.

"I'm sure you know Mr. Harlan's rules. The women who are sent here must be virgins."

Kai nodded frantically, his waist bending until it was almost parallel to the ground. "We know! She's an obedient virgin!"

Hugh snorted before sizing me up. "It just so happens that Mr. Harlan's in a foul mood tonight and is looking for a plaything to pass the time. If this woman fails to satisfy him, the two of you will be buried alongside her!"

Kai flinched and abruptly shoved me forward. "Cat got your tongue? Answer him!"

I steadied my footing, a cold chuckle escaping my throat. "The three of you really have a death wish."

Kai flew into a rage, whipped his hand back, and struck me hard across the cheek. "I told you to answer him, you bitch! What the hell are you putting on airs for?"

The blow sent me staggering back several steps before my knees crashed hard against the ice-cold marble floor. The skimpy lingerie on my body tore, leaving me in a thoroughly disheveled state.

Kai gritted his teeth and snarled, "How dare you act high and mighty in front of Hugh, you useless bitch?"

Hugh watched the whole spectacle coldly and ultimately said, "Mr. Harlan despises disobedient playthings the most. The last one who dared throw a tantrum in front of him had her ashes scattered into the moat to feed the crocodiles ages ago."

The blood instantly drained from Kai and Eliana's faces. Even their breathing seemed to stop for a second.

I lowered my head, but from an angle they couldn't see, the corners of my lips slowly curled upward.

After Mom died, Dad had chopped up the woman who had provoked her and fed her remains to the fish. From then on, he had developed a love-hate relationship with women, subjecting them to all manner of torment.

Dad's methods were as brutal as ever. When that thought crossed my mind, a bloodthirsty thrill stirred in my eyes.

My abnormal reaction didn't escape Hugh's notice. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of imperceptible amusement flashing through them.

"You've got some nerve. Most women would've wet themselves the second they heard about the gators."

He looked me up and down, a hint of approval creeping into his voice.

"Mr. Harlan's burning with rage tonight, and he needs someone with a backbone to take it out on. This fearless disposition of yours might actually tickle Mr. Harlan's fancy. If you can help him blow off steam to his heart's content, the rest of us might get a little something out of it, too."

Kai's eyes instantly lit up when he heard that. He assumed that my half-dead appearance had genuinely caught Hugh's eye, and he felt emboldened.

He grabbed a handful of my hair, forcing my head up. Excruciating pain shot through my scalp, but I bit down hard on my lower lip, refusing to make a sound.

"Look at her face and figure, Hugh. I guarantee she'll satisfy Mr. Harlan!"

Kai's eyes darted around before he lowered his voice, attempting to curry favor and fish for information. "Hugh, if you don't mind me asking… why's Mr. Harlan in such a bad mood tonight? Also, I heard he's been searching for a woman he can never get over. What kind of divine person is she? Give us a hint so we know what kind of profile to look for when we're sourcing women for him in the future…"

The very next second, Hugh's gaze hardened, and he looked at Kai as though he were staring at a corpse. "Mr. Harlan's personal affairs are none of your damn business. Who do you think you are to pry into them?"

Kai's face instantly turned beet red. "You're right! It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked!" To mask his guilt and fear, he took out all his anger on me again.

He abruptly drove his foot into my lower abdomen. My stomach churned violently, and I doubled over in pain, curling into a tight ball.

"Get your ass in there and do your job, you whore! Once you're inside, even if you have to wag your tail and beg like a bitch in heat, you'd better make damn sure Mr. Harlan's satisfied!"

He shoved me hard, sending me stumbling forward. I endured the agonizing cramps in my abdomen, braced myself against the cold doorframe, and slowly straightened up.

Kai had just asked why Dad was in such a bad mood. I sneered inwardly. I suppose this was probably nothing more than pouring salt on an open wound.

Seven years ago, on the day Mom died, I had jabbed my finger in his face and cursed him, saying he would die without a child of his own. None of the women he had kept on the side had managed to bear him a child.

On one hand, he had his only flesh and blood, a rebellious daughter who wanted nothing to do with him. On the other hand, he had his deceased wife. Who could possibly be in a good mood with all that weighing on them?

Now, to please him, even his own biological daughter was being treated like a prostitute and shoved onto his bed.

I thought to myself, "Dad, I'd love to see how you plan to explain yourself once this door is pushed open."