Chapter 1

At 2:00 pm, the ground temperature reached 168 degrees Fahrenheit, and the scorching sand was hot enough to roast a person alive.

Yet, Luke Ward and Sandy Cramer were both dressed in long sleeves and lounging in the air-conditioned off-road vehicle.

The comments in the live stream were buzzing with excitement at the spectacle.

"Clifford's going to die out there, isn't he? People die from the heat in this uninhabited desert every year."

"So what if he dies? A freeloader like Clifford Blanc dares to make unreasonable demands? Serves him right!"

Sandy was positively smug as she pointed her phone at my bare upper body.

"Oh, Clifford doesn't feel the heat at all. After all, he thinks even getting heatstroke is just being dramatic. That's why he's proving himself by taking on the challenge of crossing this uninhabited desert alone, with his hands bound, and without food or water."

In just those few moments, my vision had already begun to blur. The skin on my back went from stinging to numb, then gradually lost all sensation.

Luke seemed to feel cold. He slowly draped a jacket over his shoulders before putting on a show of kindness.

"Sandy, let it go. Clifford just loves you too much. I don't mind suffering a little—just don't let me come between you two."

His words only made Sandy angrier, and she became even more determined to stand up for him.

"You're still thinking about him? Have you forgotten how awful you felt when you suffered a heatstroke yesterday? Don't worry, I won't let you suffer for nothing."

She rolled down the window and shouted at me, "Get down on your knees and apologize right now, and I might spare you."

My heart instantly sank, but I still clung to a sliver of hope. Sandy just wanted to save face. Once she was done throwing her tantrum, surely she wouldn't actually leave me stranded out here.

The next second, Luke hurriedly jumped out of the vehicle.

"Clifford, this is all my fault. I'm just a broke loser—I never should've dreamed of going on a graduation trip. I'm sorry. I was arrogant and shameless. Can't you just swallow your pride and apologize to Sandy?"

With his back to the camera, he kicked me hard.

I crashed to the ground, only to writhe helplessly as the scorching heat seared my body. The metallic taste of blood mingled with sand, filling my throat.

Luke panicked even more. As he helped me up, he secretly pinched me hard.

"Clifford, I didn't mean to do that. I'm just so clumsy. It's all my fault." Then, he pretended to raise his hand to slap himself as an apology. "I'm sorry!"

Before he could do it, Sandy's expression darkened. She rushed over and shoved me violently aside.

"How dare you bully Luke so brazenly right in front of me? You're absolutely beyond redemption! Still refusing to apologize, eh? Let's see how long you can keep that up!"

Sandy gestured to Harvey Reid, the bodyguard standing behind her.

"Show him the way. Clifford, don't you love traveling? Well, I'll make sure you get your fill of it!"

The comments in the live stream grew even more vicious.

"Sandy is so gorgeous. She's standing up for her man without a second thought."

"Come on, guys, send more gifts to show your support. One Super Chat for every mile. A piece of trash like Clifford should be taught a lesson."

"Way to go, Sandy! Men and women can be just friends, you know. Only people with filthy minds jump to dirty conclusions."

My heart lurched. Before I could even process what they meant by "every mile", Harvey had already tied me to the rear wheel of a motorcycle.

"Sandy, have you lost your mind? I'll die out here! Untie me right now!"

I stared at the shameless couple in front of me in utter disbelief.

I had spent a month planning our honeymoon and had booked the best campsite for stargazing. Yet, Luke had insisted on coming along. Wanting some alone time with Sandy, I had politely turned him down and even wired him two thousand dollars so he could go somewhere himself.

And now, somehow, I was the one bullying him? Where was the justice in that?