LOGINRowan's POV I peeled my eyes open, only to find myself back in my tiny old room. It was originally a housekeeper's room, but after Owen arrived and took a liking to my old room, this place became mine. Elaine was sitting on the chair beside my bed. Realizing I had come to, she visibly relaxed. "You're finally awake! You almost gave me a heart attack." Her voice was slightly nervous. I looked at her silently. "The company's about to go public. If I take you to the hospital, it could hurt both our families' reputations. So, I had the family doctor take a look at you first," she explained.Mom and Dad immediately chimed in. "That's right, Rowan. Ellie was just a little too anxious. Once the dust settles, we'll take you to the hospital for a comprehensive checkup." I nodded numbly and remained silent. My life was probably worthless to them. It paled in comparison to the company's reputation.It didn't matter, though. I was going to die soon anyway. Just then, Quinn walked in
Rowan's POV Before I could even process the news, a sharp, blinding pain shot up from the bridge of my foot. The village chief, Martha Campbell, spat in my face as she viciously warned me, "Rowan White, I'm sure you know exactly what to say and what to keep to yourself. If you don't keep your mouth shut, we'll gladly air all your dirty laundry. When that happens, you, the scion of the White family, won't have much of a reputation left."I lowered my eyes numbly. Did she honestly think Elaine Sinclair would give a damn? If she actually cared about me, she wouldn't have left me in this godforsaken hellhole for over a year without checking in on me. I shrank back, pulling my tattered clothes tightly around myself. I shuddered when I caught the fleeting glint of greed in Martha's eyes. I had already seen through these people's greedy, ugly mugs over the last year. So long as I could leave this place, I would stay as far away from Elaine and my adopted younger brother, Owen White,







