Chapter 1

Caleb's POV

Bile mixed with blood flooded into my nose. My breathing grew more and more difficult as I coughed mouthfuls of blood.

I tried to struggle down, but the ropes around my wrists only tightened. It felt like my bones were about to snap.

The crashing sound drew the housekeeper over.

Mrs. Ward strolled in, cracking sunflower seeds, and looked at the filthy mess on the floor with disgust.

"Honestly, Ms. Warren isn't even home. Who are you putting on this show for?

"Even if you died here today, no one would care. Ms. Warren specifically sent me to watch you. Every day, all you know how to do is compete with Mr. Quinn for attention. Have you ever looked at yourself and realized what you're worth?"

After saying that, she covered her nose and backed away.

I suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood onto her.

My consciousness was fading. Instinctively, I begged, "Mrs. Ward, take me to the hospital..."

She shrieked, punched me several times, then called Felicity Warren.

Felicity had just arranged for Simon Quinn to be admitted to the emergency department. When she picked up, her voice was full of impatience.

"Hospital? He just wants to steal Simon's doctor! If he takes Simon's specialist appointment today, don't even think about getting paid this year."

Mrs. Ward raised her eyebrows at me triumphantly.

As if to destroy the last bit of hope in me, she added, "But Mr. Bowman is vomiting blood."

I coughed again. My painful groan made Felicity hesitate.

"Take him down first. I..."

Felicity was still choosing her words when a wounded male voice interrupted her.

"Felicity, I think my stomach doesn't hurt anymore.

"Gastroenteritis is like that. It hurts one moment and stops the next. Even vomiting blood can be a minor issue. Didn't the doctor just say I'm fine?"

He had no stomach illness at all.

I was the one who had ruined my stomach by drinking myself half to death at Felicity's business dinners.

Now I had just come out of surgery, and he had drugged me with something vicious. How could I possibly be fine?

Felicity believed his nonsense and snapped coldly again.

"Hospital, my ass. Watch him. Until I get back, no one is allowed to touch him. He's always trying to compete with Simon. It's disgusting."

Felicity hung up. Mrs. Ward looked at me with gloating delight.

"See? I told you Ms. Warren only has Mr. Quinn in her heart. Why would she care whether you live or die?"

The next second, she glanced at a message on her phone and smiled with malicious pleasure.

"Mr. Quinn is so kind. He was afraid you'd be lonely by yourself, so he specifically told me to bring his favorite pet over to play with you."