Episode 6

Kimmy sat lifelessly on the sofa with swollen eyes, while the image of Grayson who had just left still lingered in her mind. Her lips still stung from that rough kiss, and her phone shattered on the floor stood as a stark witness to the intensity of her husband’s anger.

The door was suddenly knocked lightly. A middle-aged man in a neat suit entered. Kimmy hurriedly wiped her tears, trying to appear normal.

“Madam,” the man said while bowing respectfully. “I was instructed by the Young Master. He ordered me to escort you home.”

Kimmy nodded slowly, her voice barely audible. “Alright.”

Arthur approached, then placed a small box on the table in front of Kimmy. “This is from the Young Master. A new phone, complete with an active number. All important data is already synced.”

Kimmy stared at the box with mixed feelings. Her hand hesitated before finally reaching for the new phone. “T-thank you.”

Arthur bowed once more. “Shall we, Madam?”

With slow steps, Kimmy followed Arthur out of the room. Each step felt heavy, as if her legs refused to move. She could still feel the remaining tension in her body.

Inside the luxurious black car, Kimmy sat in the back seat. Arthur was in the front, driving calmly. The city streets looked busy, yet Kimmy’s heart felt empty and chaotic. She looked at her new phone. Its screen lit up, displaying the new number that was now hers.

Not long after she held it, the ringtone sounded. The name that appeared on the screen made Kimmy freeze.

Roy Chandra, her father.

Kimmy’s hand trembled. She glanced briefly at Arthur, who remained focused on driving, then carefully pressed the phone to her ear. “H-hallo, Pa?”

Roy’s heavy voice came through immediately, blunt and direct. “Kimmy! Why are you so hard to reach?”

Kimmy swallowed. “I was just given a new phone, Pa. What is it?”

“What is it?!” Roy’s voice rose. “Have you forgotten, huh? You are now officially the wife of Grayson Blackwood. All of Blackwood Corporation’s assets have been placed in your name. And you ask, ‘what is it’?”

Kimmy fell silent. Her heart raced.

“Papa needs one billion. Send it now,” Roy continued without mincing words.

Kimmy was stunned. “O-one billion? Pa, I don’t have that kind of money.”

A loud scolding came from the other end. “Don’t be stupid, Kimmy! Do you think Papa doesn’t know? You were just announced as the heir to all of Blackwood! One billion means nothing to you!”

Kimmy closed her eyes, gripping the phone tightly. “But I really don’t have it, Pa. Yes, those assets are in my name, but… that doesn’t mean I can access them. I don’t even know how.”

“Are you stupid or pretending to be stupid, huh?” Roy grew angrier. “If you don’t have access, ask Grayson! He’s your husband! Use your position as Kimberly! What good is marrying that man if you can’t help your own family?”

Tears welled at the corners of Kimmy’s eyes. She stared out the window, trying to hide her face so Arthur would not see. “Pa… don’t force me. I can’t—”

“Can’t?!” Roy shouted again. “Listen carefully, Kimmy. If it weren’t for Papa and Mama, you wouldn’t have the chance to live in that big house. You owe this family. So do your duty well! One billion, Kimmy. Send it immediately!”

The call ended abruptly.

Kimmy sat frozen, gasping for breath. Roy’s yelling still echoed in her ears. Her hands trembled; the phone almost slipped from her grip.

Arthur glanced briefly through the rearview mirror, his face still calm though clearly he had heard part of the conversation. “Madam, are you all right?”

Kimmy hurriedly wiped her tears. “I-I’m fine.”

But her voice quivered.

Arthur did not ask further and just kept driving. But Kimmy knew the assistant must have sensed that something was wrong.

Throughout the ride home, Kimmy’s mind was full of thoughts.

“What if Grayson finds out? What will he do? He’ll be furious if he knows my family used me to demand money. But… Papa is right too. I can’t pretend not to care, even though I know they never truly considered I existed.”

She bit her lower lip. The sting from Grayson’s kiss still ached, as if reminding her that he would not hesitate to punish if anything went wrong.

Kimmy hugged herself, her body shaking. “What should I do? I can’t ask Grayson… but I also can’t ignore Papa’s stubborn demand.”

Upon arriving at the Blackwood mansion, Arthur opened the car door. “Please, Madam.”

Kimmy got out with listless steps. She looked at Arthur and tried to smile though her face was pale. “Thank you for the ride.”

Arthur bowed. “You’re welcome, Madam. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Kimmy only nodded, then stepped into the large house. As soon as the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall, her tears falling uncontrollably.

Her phone vibrated again in her hand. This time a short message from Roy.

[Don’t take too long. Remember, one billion.]

Kimmy covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a sob. She felt trapped.

“My God… I really don’t know what to do.”

Meanwhile, Arthur had just closed the car door after escorting Kimmy inside. His expression remained calm, but his mind couldn’t stop replaying the conversation he had overheard. As Grayson’s personal assistant, he knew every little matter involving the Young Madam must be reported.

So as soon as he returned to the office, Arthur walked quickly to the Young Master’s study.

Grayson was standing in front of the large glass window when Arthur entered. His figure was upright, shoulders broad and arms folded. His sharp gaze stared at the cityscape filled with towering buildings. An aura of dominance clearly emanated.

Arthur bowed respectfully. “Young Master.”

Grayson did not turn. “How is my wife?”

Arthur hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. “The Young Madam did not look… well, Sir. During the ride, she received a phone call. From Roy.”

Grayson turned quickly, his eyes narrowing. “Roy?”

Arthur swallowed. “I didn’t hear everything clearly. But from fragments of the conversation… it sounded like the Young Madam was asked for money. I’m not sure about the amount. But from her tone, she was clearly under pressure.”

Silence pressed on the room. Grayson’s cold face darkened. His jaw tightened, and his voice came out low and threatening. “How dare they…”

Arthur bowed lower. He knew the signs when Grayson’s anger flared.

Grayson strode to his desk, then slammed his hand down on the surface. “I have already given enough compensation to the Chandra family! I saved their company, I paid off their debts. And they still dare to ask Kimberly for money?”

His tone was sharp, each word cutting.

Arthur remained silent, awaiting instructions.

Grayson took a long breath, yet his eyes still burned. “Arthur.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Transfer five billion to the Chandra family’s account. Immediately.”

Arthur was shocked, but quickly bowed. “Yes, Sir.”

But Grayson was not done. His voice grew colder, like a blade. “And tell Roy and his wife, this is the last time. I don’t care what their reasons are. Never dare ask Kimberly for money with such demands again. If they do, I will handle them myself.”

Arthur could feel the threatening air in that tone. He knew Grayson’s threats were not mere words.

“All right, Sir. I will execute it immediately.”

Grayson stared blankly at the window again, this time with his jaw clenched. In his head, one thought circled, “Kimberly is mine. No one has the right to hurt her, not even her own family.”

Arthur bowed once more, then left with quick steps. He knew this task was not merely a money transfer, but also a warning that must be delivered clearly.

Grayson remained standing in his room. His hands clenched at his sides. “If they dare touch Kimberly, they will regret it.”