Chapter 1

The glow of my phone screen illuminated my pale face.

In a private group chat called The Domestication Project, the group admin, who went by the alias "The Tamer", was busy sharing her latest results.

"The test subject was emotionally stable today. Looks like switching his medication worked. His reactions are getting slower. Ladies, remember this. If you want to destroy a man, you have to break him down mentally first. Make him believe he's such a worthless loser that no one but you could ever love him."

The other group members instantly flooded the chat.

"Godmother, you're incredible! That's exactly how men like him should be handled. Make him think he's too sick to function, and in the end, he'll have no choice but to kneel and beg for mercy."

"Post that medical report already! I want to see just how far gone he is!"

The Tamer soon sent a photo.

"Here's the latest report. He's one step closer to being committed to a psychiatric hospital. The company will be mine in no time."

My own name stood out on the document.

"Lucas Vaughn. Severe depression. Inpatient treatment recommended."

That was the exact medical report Sophie Hayes had brought back yesterday after taking me to a private clinic. At the time, she held me in the car, crying her eyes out.

"Honey, no matter what happens, I'll be right by your side," she reassured me. "Don't worry about the company anymore. Leave everything to me. All you need to do is take your medicine and focus on getting better."

At that moment, I was so moved that I would've handed her my life if she asked for it.

But now, that same woman who had sobbed in my arms was sending a voice message to the chat.

"You guys should've seen him. He's almost at the point where he can't even control his own bladder anymore. A waste of space like him is just taking up air. He might as well sign his shares over to me and spend the rest of his life in a psychiatric hospital."

Just then, the sound of keys turning rattled at the front door of our mansion.

I scrambled to lock my phone and lay back down on the couch.

"Honey, I'm home! Did you take your medicine today like a good boy?"

Sophie's voice was practically dripping with sweetness as she walked over, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead.

"I did," I replied, my voice raspy.

Sophie let out a heavy sigh.

"Look at you. You're only 30, but you're already such a wreck. What would you even do without me?"

As she spoke, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a bottle of white pills.

"Here, take two more of these," she coaxed. "The doctor said we need a stronger dose to keep those hallucinations of yours under control."

She popped two tablets out and held them to my lips. Her fingertips still carried a lingering warmth from whoever she had been intimate with.

I obediently opened my mouth.

"Such a good boy, Lucas. You're so cooperative now."

Sophie smiled, unlocking her phone to type a message right in front of me.

I knew she was giving the group chat a live update.

"See? He's taking his medicine again. So obedient."