An explosive scandal rocked New York University when a video of Josephine Reynolds's first intimate night was leaked to a group chat.

The video was filmed in a presidential suite of a five-star hotel.

In it, Josephine was naked, pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window by a man a head taller than her, the sound of their movement echoing nonstop.

When it ended, the man leaned close to her ear and said, "Good girl."

The two words hit the group chat like a ton of bricks and instantly caused a huge commotion.

"That voice... Could the man be Nathaniel?"

"Josephine is so scheming. She actually hooked up with our school's board director! No wonder her bullies have backed off."

"I always thought Josephine was a sweet, innocent girl. Turns out she's a calculating slut. Well, she's the daughter of a mistress after all!"

When the news reached Josephine, she was in her dorm, knitting a scarf for Nathaniel.

Her roommate cranked the volume to the maximum. With a smirk, she passed her phone around and spoke in a slow, deliberate drawl.

"Josephine, that's some practiced moaning. You must do this a lot, huh?"

Mocking laughter rang in Josephine's ears. She froze, her face pale. The half-knitted scarf slipped from her hands as she stood and rushed out.

She stumbled her way toward Nathaniel's office, demanding answers.

But just as she reached the door, she heard mocking voices from inside.

"Nathaniel, you really didn't show any mercy to Josephine, did you? You made her face so clear on purpose so she couldn't even explain herself."

Josephine was stunned, coldness spreading through her body.

"She deserved it. She messed with Dorothy, the woman Nathaniel loves the most."

"I just feel bad for Nathaniel. He's been through so much—hiring people to spread rumors that Josephine's mom was a mistress, dealing with those who bullied her to gain her trust, and even putting on an act of affection toward her."

"Oh, right, Nathaniel, when do you plan to tell her the truth? If she finds out the man she's been in love with all this time is actually her future brother-in-law, she'll probably cry her heart out. The thought alone is hilarious."

Lounging on the sofa, Nathaniel slowly tapped his cigarette against the ashtray's edge, his face an impassive mask.

As he remained silent, one of his buddies asked, "Feeling pity for Josephine? She's the reason Dorothy has been suffering for two long years, exiled so far from home. You can't just let her off the hook!"

Hearing the name "Dorothy," Nathaniel finally reacted.

He ground out his cigarette and said flatly, "I'll tell Josephine the truth the day Dorothy returns.

"That day happens to be the anniversary she has been waiting for. I'll give her a 'surprise' and make her pay back everything she owes Dorothy."

Josephine's breathing hitched, and her eyes fell on Nathaniel's stern face through the smoke. She felt as if a big hole had been opened in her heart, and the pain made her vision go black.

So the rumors about her mother had all been spread by Nathaniel!

He had pursued and protected her just for revenge.

The one he truly loved was her half-sister, Dorothy Reynolds.

Josephine couldn't take it anymore. She turned and ran away in panic.

But before she got far, a few girls blocked her path.

"Well, well, if it isn't the star of that exciting video!"

"You just came out of Mr. Gordon's office. Did you go offer yourself up again?"

Face pale, Josephine tried to escape but was shoved back and forth by the group.

Just then, Nathaniel's cold voice came from behind them.

"Bully her right in front of me? Do you have a death wish?"

He had walked out of his office unnoticed and was walking toward them.

The girls instantly fled.

Nathaniel came up to Josephine and fixed her messy hair. When he bent down to meet her eyes, his fingertip brushed gently across her cheek.

"I told you, if anyone bothers you again, you tell them you belong to me."

The familiar scent of cigarettes filled Josephine's nose, making her eyes sting.

As the countless memories of his protection replayed in her mind, a hazy, dreamlike feeling washed over her.

After her mother's suicide, her father, Edward Reynolds, got back together with his first love, leaving Josephine to live a life far worse than an orphan's.

Soon, a rumor swept through the school: Josephine's mother was a mistress, and Dorothy was the rightful heir of the Reynolds family.

As "the mistress's daughter," Josephine naturally became a target for bullying.

It was Nathaniel who came to her rescue. Using his authority as a board director, he shielded her effortlessly, providing a warmth she desperately needed.

Yesterday was Nathaniel's birthday. The two of them, drunk, crossed the line. He, usually so gentle and dignified, pressed her against the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring her trembling body.

The moment he slid in, a deep sense of solace settled over Josephine, like a lost bird finding its way home at last.

Little did she know, this had been nothing but a trap.

Josephine felt her mind spin.

When she came to her senses, she found herself settled into the passenger seat of Nathaniel's car.

Nathaniel leaned in as he always did to buckle her seat belt. Seeing her eyes red, he spoke softly, "The video was an accident. I'll find someone to deal with it. You're not in good shape today. I'll take you home to rest first."

Josephine pressed her lips together. Thinking of what he had said in the office, her tears flowed uncontrollably.

Nathaniel froze for a moment, then reached up to wipe her tears. As if remembering something, he opened the car door. "Wait for me a bit, I'll go buy something."

When the door closed, Josephine realized Nathaniel had taken the wrong phone.

His phone was sitting in the slot by the armrest. Without knowing why, Josephine picked it up and entered Dorothy's birthday.

The phone unlocked. At the top of his chat list on WhatsApp, she saw Dorothy's name.

In their most recent chat, Dorothy asked him to cut ties with Josephine before she came back.

Nathaniel replied, "Just a plaything. I was never with her."

Josephine's heart sank suddenly. Fighting the sting in her nose, she kept scrolling.

In the two years Dorothy was overseas, Nathaniel called her every night at eight o'clock.

That was the time he had said he had board meetings, when Josephine must not disturb him.

On top of that, he transferred Dorothy tens of thousands every month—so fast he didn't even leave a note.

Dorothy was good at acting cute, often sending selfies to ask for praise. Nathaniel replied with pet emojis Josephine had never seen, telling her not to wear too little and to stay warm.

Looking at these chats, Josephine finally realized she had never really understood Nathaniel.

The gentle care he showed her was only a tiny piece of the love he had for Dorothy.

When Nathaniel came back to the car, there was now a box of morning-after pills in Josephine's hand.

Nathaniel gently patted her head, his voice soft as ever. "Last night was too rushed; I didn't prepare. Take this, just in case."

Josephine's fingers dug into the box, her lips bitten so hard they nearly bled.

If she hadn't overheard him earlier, she might still believe he was truly thinking of her.

But now, she was wide awake.

When the car stopped in front of the villa, Nathaniel leaned in as usual to kiss her goodbye. But Josephine turned away, fumbling to unbuckle her seatbelt.

His eyes darkened. He pulled her into his arms.

"Still upset because of the video?"

"..."

"The video wasn't recorded by me. The hotel manager has already been fired." Nathaniel tilted her chin up. "Josephine, I never wanted to hurt you, and I never will. Our anniversary is coming up soon. I'll make it up to you then."

A white lie disguised as kindness is often more hurtful than the truth.

Josephine's nose stung. She pushed him away. "I'll go inside first."

She almost ran into the villa.

But the moment she stepped in, she bumped into Edward.

His face was dark. Before she could speak, he raised his hand and slapped her hard.

"Josephine, I really underestimated you. Date if you want, but to record that kind of shameless video? You've ruined my reputation!

"No wonder those people at your school targeted you. You're so filthy you attract flies!"

After shouting, Edward threw a plane ticket at her.

"I booked you a flight in seven days. Go as far away as you can and never come back!"

Josephine picked up the ticket from the floor, her fingers trembling, as if it were a sentence declaring the world had abandoned her.

Edward thought she was disgraceful and wanted her gone.

Fine. She didn't want to stay anyway.

"I'll leave," Josephine said flatly. "I will listen to you and never come back."

Edward froze, thinking he had misheard.

Back then, when he arranged for Dorothy to study abroad, he had urged Josephine to go too. But she refused, and after pressing her, he found out she was deeply in love.

He thought she would refuse again.

He never expected her to agree so quickly this time.

Only then did he ease a little, his voice cold.

"Dorothy is coming back this weekend. I'm hosting a party for her. You'll attend too.

"The video has already spread. If you don't show up, it'll only make the rumors worse."

Josephine nodded. "Got it."

***

Josephine asked the school for three days off.

In those three days, she packed up everything Nathaniel had given her and listed them online at the original price.

Three days later, Dorothy returned.

Edward held a party for her at the biggest hotel in New York, inviting all the big names in business.

Nathaniel was among them.

Josephine hadn't expected to see him there. She turned to leave, but Nathaniel grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a quiet corner.

He pinned her to the wall, hands braced firmly on her sides, his hot breath brushing her ear.

"You skipped school these past days, didn't answer my messages, and even ignored our anniversary.

"Josephine, do you know how worried I was about you?"

His eyes locked on her, clearly unhappy with her loss of contact.

Josephine pressed her lips and forced herself to meet Nathaniel's gaze. "So you're worried about a meaningless sex partner?"

Usually obedient and compliant, Josephine suddenly got angry, which surprised Nathaniel.

A flash of defiance rose in him. He yanked Josephine close and wrapped his arm tight around her waist.

"Sex partner?

"It only happened once in two years. You call yourself a sex partner?"

Josephine didn't know why Nathaniel suddenly went mad, and he grabbed her chin to kiss her.

Just then, a voice came from nearby.

"Nathaniel, so you're here. Dorothy's been looking for you."

Nathaniel frowned slightly, released Josephine, and said to that person, "Got it. I'll be right there."

Josephine acted surprised and asked Nathaniel, "You know my sister?"

"More than just know her. Their relationship is more intense than you think," Nathaniel's friend said mockingly, "Josephine, you're in for a big surprise."

After they walked away, a hint of scorn flashed in Josephine's eyes.

They thought she was still in the dark and wanted to put on a show to shame her.

But they didn't know she had already sorted out her feelings and planned to cut Nathaniel off for good.

During the party, the lights suddenly went out.

In an instant, a spotlight hit the stage, and Nathaniel, wearing a suit, and Dorothy, wearing a white dress, appeared in front of everyone.

Edward smiled and raised his hand for silence, then announced loudly.

"I invited everyone here today to welcome Dorothy home after completing her studies abroad, and to share some good news.

"The Reynolds and Gordon families have been close for years. They arranged an engagement between Dorothy and young Mr. Gordon long ago.

"Now the two are in love. The engagement party will be held at the end of the month. Please come witness their happiness!"

When Edward finished, Nathaniel's friends looked at Josephine, waiting to see her break down.

But Josephine simply stood quietly among the crowd, her expression calm, as if everything on stage had nothing to do with her.

Nathaniel frowned.

In his plan, Josephine would lose control when she learned about him and Dorothy.

But she was unnaturally calm now.

A restless feeling rose in him for no clear reason. Dorothy noticed his oddness and quickly asked, "Nathan, what's wrong?"

Nathaniel casually withdrew his gaze. "Nothing. I just got distracted."

He knew well that Josephine loved him deeply and couldn't possibly have no reaction.

She was only forcing herself to stay strong.

***

Josephine went to the restroom and splashed her face with cold water.

Thinking back on her old longing for Nathaniel, she felt utterly foolish.

No wonder he had touched her only once in two years.

It wasn't because he treasured her. He simply couldn't be bothered to touch her.

And the first night she had cherished was just perfect material for him to ruin her reputation.

When Josephine returned to the banquet hall, Edward called her over.

"Josephine, come say hello to your future brother-in-law."

Josephine walked up to Nathaniel and put on a perfectly measured smile. "Hello, Mr. Gordon."

At the word "Mr. Gordon," Nathaniel's face tightened.

Dorothy didn't notice and smiled brightly. "Josie, I just heard Nathaniel is a board director at your school. What a coincidence. If you ever have trouble, you can ask your brother-in-law for help. We're family after all."

Josephine clenched her teeth and said slowly, "I won't want to trouble my brother-in-law."

She didn't look at Nathaniel, but she could feel his cold gaze, and it made her shiver.

After some small talk, Josephine prepared to leave.

Dorothy stepped forward, looped her arm through hers, and pretended to be affectionate. "Josie, it's been so long. I have so much to tell you."

She dragged Josephine into the lounge without asking.

As soon as the door closed, Dorothy dropped her smile and turned icy.

"Josephine, I heard you slept with Nathaniel, and the video is everywhere. Do you think you can win his heart with such despicable means?

"Here's the truth: he never liked you. Not only did he not like you, he hated you!

"It was me who had him spread the rumor that your mom was a mistress. I told him to pursue you. I wanted to watch you fall for him bit by bit and then have him destroy you with his own hands!"

Josephine asked, "Why?"

"Why? Of course, because you have no self-awareness. Your mother has been dead for years. Why are you still hogging the Reynolds family's things?

"Those things were supposed to be mine. You, the mistress's daughter, have no right to enjoy the Reynolds family's wealth!"

Josephine could endure anything except her mother being insulted.

She rushed at Dorothy and squeezed the words out between her teeth.

"My mother wasn't a mistress. When she married Dad, she didn't even know you or your mother existed.

"You and your family pushed her to death!"

Dorothy hadn't expected Josephine to snap back and raised her hand to slap her.

At that moment, the lounge door suddenly swung open.

Out of the corner of her eye, Josephine saw Nathaniel's figure. Dorothy panicked and quickly grabbed the nut pastries from the table and shoved them into her mouth.

The next second, she collapsed and mumbled, "Josephine, why did you force me to eat this? I'm allergic to nuts..."

Nathaniel rushed to Dorothy and shoved Josephine aside.

Josephine stumbled back and hit the coffee table hard.

With a crash, the cups on the table shattered. Glass cut Josephine's hands until they bled.

Nathaniel didn't even glance at her. He knelt and held Dorothy.

"Dorothy, are you okay?"

Dorothy's eyes filled with tears. She grabbed Nathaniel's arm helplessly. "I only wanted to catch up with Josie. I don't know what I did to offend her. She suddenly forced me to eat those pastries...

"Look at me. Do I have a rash?"

Nathaniel looked down and saw red rashes spreading across Dorothy's skin quickly.

"What do we do? The party isn't over. I can't embarrass you. Makeup... right, use makeup to cover it!"

Nathaniel gripped Dorothy's wrist. "This is not the time to think about makeup. Come on, I'll take you to the hospital."

He lifted Dorothy into his arms and, as he left, shot Josephine a cold look.

Josephine forced herself up through the pain. Blood flowed from her hands and quickly stained her dress.

But she felt no pain, as if she had fallen into an abyss and all her senses were gone.

She asked a waiter for a first-aid kit and, trembling, wrapped her wounds.

After that, Josephine was exhausted and prepared to leave with heavy steps.

She had just reached the corridor when several figures lunged out and dragged her into a storage room without warning.

A large hand gripped her chin and forced her head back. Highly concentrated chili water was poured into her mouth.

Josephine's eyes widened in terror.

Like Dorothy, she had allergies. She was naturally allergic to chili.

That much chili water could kill her.

"Ugh... stop..."

Josephine struggled wildly.

But the attackers gave her no chance. Cup after cup of chili water was poured down her throat.

She choked until her face flushed and her body convulsed uncontrollably. Her injured hands scraped the floor weakly, making a sickening sound.

Instead of stopping, they insulted her even more fiercely.

"Dorothy is Nathaniel's beloved. How dare you touch her! Don't you know your place?"

"I heard you got bullied at school and have probably been used by so many men. Nathaniel would never want a filthy woman like you."

"Drink all this chili water. Consider it your apology to Dorothy. Or else we'll make you pay!"

Josephine's vision blurred, and her mind began to drift.

She forced out the last of her strength and muttered almost without thought, "Nath..."

Before she finished, harsh laughter rang above her head.

"Hahaha! You really expect Nathaniel to save you?"

"He ordered us to make you drink this chili water. He wants you dead for hurting Dorothy!"

"Come on, rip her clothes off and take pictures to send to Nathaniel. Let him get some revenge!"

The men swarmed and tore Josephine's dress to pieces in an instant.

They took frantic photos of her, half-dead and barely dressed, until she couldn't hold on any longer and finally blacked out.