Chapter 2

"I thought she was rich, but she's just spending some man's money. What a little tramp!"

Just then, my mother-in-law came limping out, clutching her back and glaring angrily at Jack.

"Let go of her hand right now! When my son gets back, you'll be sorry!

"Wendy, don't be afraid. Mom will protect you."

Hearing this, Jack wasn't intimidated at all. Instead, he dragged me along the ground, making me slide slowly.

"You old hag, you dare threaten me? It doesn't matter who you think you are—you're still squatting in MY villa. Pack your things and get out!"

The small stones on the ground tore at my legs, leaving two trails of blood behind me.

"Jack, this villa is mine! Go home and ask your parents what really happened back then!

"I'm warning you to let me go, or you're dead!

"This woman isn't my housekeeper. Be careful who you offend!"

Just as Jack was about to speak, Annie interrupted him.

She pushed angrily through the crowd and kicked me hard in the chest.

"You little slut, why are you crying and putting on this act? Are you trying to seduce the rich men around here?

"Wasn't it enough to seduce some pretty boy behind Jack's back? Now you're flirting with everyone!"

Her kick left my chest aching, like a ball of cotton was stuck in my throat.

When Evelyn saw Annie hit me, she rushed over to shield me with her body.

"Wendy, are you okay? Hold on a little longer while I find a way to save you!"

Annie, seeing someone dare to stop her, angrily grabbed her hair and slapped her face several times.

"You old fool! Just because you moved in, you really think this villa is yours?

"Never mind that Wendy Chancer is trash—I'd beat your pretty boy son too if he were here!"

My mother-in-law lost her balance from the blows and fell to the ground, not moving.

Seeing her covered in dirt, I cried out in anguish, "Mom!"

I turned and shouted at Annie and Jack.

"If you have a problem, take it out on me! Don't hit my mom! She's over sixty years old—have you no conscience?”

This comment provoked Jack. He grabbed my hair and pulled his belt off, whipping me over and over.

I lay on the ground, unable to move, barely making out the shadows of people moving around me.

I closed my eyes in despair, thinking I might die right there.

Just then, a man in the crowd couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward, shouting, "Stop!"

Jack looked up at the bald man and sneered.

"Are you one of Wendy's lovers too? Why do you care so much about her? She must be good in bed if so many of you like her!

"You rich wives better be careful! This woman will sleep with anyone—don't let her steal your husbands!"

His words made the wealthy wives in the crowd look at me with suspicion. Their once sympathetic eyes turned cold, as if they wanted to spit on me.

The man stood in front of me, facing off with Jack.

"Sir, please watch what you say. No matter what, you can't beat a woman in public like this!"

Hearing this, Jack's eyes darted between us, then he punched the man in the nose and straddled him, beating him repeatedly.

"You think I'm scared of you? I'll kill you both, you adulterous couple!"

Through my hazy vision, I could see the good Samaritan's face becoming bruised and swollen from the beating.