4
Lily started to run towards Arthur.
But Ethan lunged forward, clamping a large
hand over her mouth, his face contorted with
rage.
“You little brat! Grabbing the first random guy
you see and calling him ‘Daddy‘ just to get
help?”
く
“You’re just like your slut mother!”
“Don’t you ever think I’ll acknowledge you!”
Lily trembled violently, her face pale with
terror, tears streaming down her cheeks.
I threw myself towards her. “Let her go!”
But Ethan’s buddies grabbed me.
Strong hands clamped over my mouth,
silencing my screams.
Chloe’s two little shits ran over and started
spitting on Lily.
“Shorty! See? You can’t steal our Daddy!”
く
I could only watch in helpless horror as they
dragged my daughter away.
I fought and screamed, but they just held me
tighter.
Then, they started dragging me away too,
rough and brutal.
Ethan’s friends threw me into a dark, dusty
storage room.
One pinned me down, grinding his foot into
my back.
The other pulled off his belt.
He started whipping me across my back, my
thighs, again and again.
“Bitch! You asked for this!”
The leather strap bit into my skin, tearing my
dress, drawing blood.
It pooled on the dirty floor beneath me.
I struggled to lift my head. “I never did.
anything to you… Why… why are you doing
this?”
The other one sneered, pulling out a thick
rope.
“You kept Ethan tied down back then.”
“You ruined our fun.”
“Chloe told us to give you a proper welcome
<
paun.
He grabbed my arm violently, yanking it
behind me.
He tied the rope tight, so tight it cut into my
skin.
Blood dripped down my arm.
My head swam. A horrifying thought started
to form.
Meanwhile…
Back in the ballroom, Ethan practically
sprinted over to Arthur Ford, plastering a
huge, fake smile on his face.
“Mr. Ford, happy birthday! I’m Ethan Cole,
drating Manager from the subsidien
<
Marketing Manager from the subsidiary
branch.”
“I’ve admired you for so long, sir. It’s such an
honor to finally meet you.”
He practically bowed in half, eagerly holding
out a beautifully wrapped gift box with both
hands.
Arthur didn’t even glance at him, his
expression ice–cold.
Ethan scurried to keep up as Arthur walked,
still smiling like an idiot.
“Mr. Ford, you simply must accept this gift.
It’s just a small token of my esteem.”
Still no reaction. Ethan tried again.
く
“Mr. Evans mentioned Mrs. Ford adores South
Sea pearls? I went to great lengths to acquire
this rare strand. I’m certain she’ll love it.”
He held out a second gift box, his face
beaming with anticipation.
Arthur Ford stopped walking.
He turned his head slowly and looked directly
at Ethan.
Ethan’s heart leaped. He thought he’d finally
gotten through. His smile became even more
sickeningly sweet.
“What makes you think trash like that is
worthy of my wife?” Arthur said, his voice
laced with contempt.
<
Ethan froze.
A wave of whispers went through the nearby
guests.
“Doesn’t he know who Mrs. Ford is? Does he
think she’d want his cheap junk?”
“Everyone knows Mr. Ford spoils his wife
rotten. Compared to what he gives her, that
stuff is garbage. How embarrassing for him.”
Ethan’s face flushed crimson. He wished the
floor would swallow him whole.
But this was his one chance to impress Arthur
Ford. He gritted his teeth, forced his smile
back on, and tried again, changing the
subject.
“Mr. Ford, there was a bit of a disturbance
earlier. Luckily, I handled it before it could
disrupt your birthday celebration.”
Chloe immediately sidled up, her voice soft
and concerned.
“Mr. Ford, that woman… she was even
pretending to be your wife! She stole Mrs.
Ford’s jade pendant! And shamelessly told her
daughter to call you ‘Daddy‘!”
Ethan puffed up his chest, eager to claim
credit.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Ford. I’ve taken care of that
bitch, Sarah. Locked her up tight. She won’t
be causing any more trouble.”
Arthur’s expression shifted instantly.
<
A terrifying, murderous rage flared in his
eyes.
He grabbed Ethan by the throat.
“Where is she?” he demanded, his voice
dangerously low.
The onlookers thought Arthur was furious
about the impersonation. They leaned in,
waiting for the fireworks.
“Wow, she really crossed the line. Mr. Ford is
pissed.”
“Serves her right. Pretending to be Mrs. Ford?
She’s digging her own grave.”
Just then, the head butler pushed through the
aroud frantically
<
He fell to his knees in front of Arthur, his face
white as a sheet.
“Sir, it was my fault… I failed… I failed to
protect Madam and Miss Lily. Please, punish
me, sir.”
Ethan saw Arthur’s fury and felt a knot of
dread tighten in his stomach.
But he still clung to a sliver of hope, forcing a
laugh.
“Mr. Ford, please, calm down. She’s awful,
but maybe not worth getting this worked up
over? How about you let me handle her? I can
teach her a lesson for you…”
Arthur’s face was a mask of cold fury.
<
He drew back his fist and slammed it into
Ethan’s face.
“Take me to her. Now!”
