Chapter 4

"No need to wait for your housekeeper. I've already had my people send him away."

My eyes widened instantly. I hadn't expected him to actually dare do something like this.

The next moment, Mabel escorted us out.

I was taken to a suburban villa owned by the Huxley family. That was where I finally saw Alistair.

"Alistair, do you even realize what you're doing?" I demanded. "This is illegal detention. If my parents find out, have you thought about how you'll explain this to them?"

In just a few short years, Alistair was no longer the timid boy who used to trail behind me, begging for resources and opportunities.

Now, he radiated the aura of someone in power. With a mere flick of his hand, Lisa obediently leaned into his arms.

Hearing my words, Alistair let out a disdainful chuckle.

"What's there to explain? You're about to become part of my family anyway. Our two families have worked together on so many projects over the years—you don't seriously think your parents would fall out with me over you, do you?

"Lisa may be a poor student, but she's taken care of me all these years in your place. She's never seen much of the world. Can't you just give her some leeway?"

"Alistair, you're disgusting!" I screamed, cutting him off. "Who gave you the nerve to say something so vile?"

He frowned impatiently. At once, the people beside him stepped forward and forced me to my knees.

"Looks like being sent abroad for all these years didn't teach you obedience after all.

"Lisa, how did she bully you? Return the favor."

Lisa walked over with a smile and slapped me hard across the face.

"If your face gets ruined," she said sweetly, "you won't be qualified to stand beside Alistair anymore, will you?"

After that, she ordered the bodyguards to slap me a hundred times.

Blood flowed from my ears and mouth. My head rang violently, my vision spinning.

Still not satisfied, Lisa told them to strip off my clothes.

I struggled desperately, but Lisa broke two of my fingers and ripped off several of my fingernails.

Alistair had brought many bodyguards. I had no strength to fight back. The countless invasive gazes fixed on me filled me with unbearable humiliation.

"Sheila," Alistair said coldly, "take these next few days to reflect properly. I'll come see you again in seven days. I hope by then you'll understand how to please a man."

He left after saying that.

I tried to make my way back to the city on my own, but in the middle of the night, I heard wolves howling. Terrified, I had no choice but to retreat back into the villa.

There was no food inside—no water either. After just three days, I collapsed in the living room, utterly drained.

Staring at my twisted fingers and battered body, I clenched my teeth hard enough to draw blood.

Then suddenly, the villa door was kicked open.

My housekeeper rushed in with a group of people.

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital room at my family's private hospital.

The housekeeper was sitting by my bed. When he saw me wake up, his eyes lit up with relief.

"Miss, you're finally awake! You nearly scared me to death. If something had happened to you, how could I ever explain it to Master and Madam?"

"Where are my parents?" I asked.

My throat felt torn raw. Every word carried the faint taste of blood.

"Master and Madam are already on the plane. They'll be here very soon."

"Good," I said softly. "Go tell the Huxley family—if Alistair can still stand tomorrow, then the Huxley family doesn't need to exist anymore."