Chapter 1

The biggest bombshell of the year at the Ivy League university was that the first sex tape of Chloe from the art department was posted in the campus group chat.

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

Chloe was completely naked, pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window by a man a head taller than her, the intimate rhythmic sounds non-stop.

When it was over, the man whispered in her ear, "Good girl."

Those two simple words were like a bombshell, causing a huge uproar in the group chat.

[That voice... could it be Liam?]

[Chloe really has her ways, managing to hook up with our school's trustee!

No wonder her bullies haven't been bothering her anymore.]

[I always thought Chloe was some innocent girl, but it turns out she's a scheming bitch. Just what you'd expect from a mistress's daughter!]

When the news reached Chloe, she was in her dorm room knitting a scarf for Liam.

Her roommate turned the video's volume to max, passing the phone around with a sneer, deliberately drawing out her words:

"Chloe, you sound so skilled. You must have done many times, huh?"

Laughter erupted around her. Chloe froze, her face pale, the half-finished scarf slipping from her hands as she got up and bolted out the door.

She stumbled towards Liam's office, wanting to ask him what the video was all about.

But as soon as she got to the door, she heard mocking voices from inside.

"Liam, you really showed Chloe no mercy. You deliberately made sure her face was so clear. She doesn't even have a chance to clear her name."

Hearing this, Chloe's mind went blank, and a chill instantly spread through her entire body.

"Well, it's her own fault for pissing off the woman Liam love most. She deserves it."

"It was just tough on our Liam, having to spread rumors about Chloe's mother being the mistress, and then playing the savior to deal with her bullies, acting all in love in front of her."

"By the way, Liam, when are you going to tell her the truth?

If she finds out the guy she's liked for so long is actually her future brother-in-law, she'll probably cry herself out on the spot, hahaha..."

Liam, lounging on the sofa, tapped the ash from his cigarette on the edge of the ashtray, his expression unreadable.

Seeing him silent, his buddy next to him quickly asked, "Feeling sorry for her?

Back then, she went to great lengths to send Serena abroad for two whole years, leaving her to starve and freeze. I can't just let her get away with it!"

Hearing Serena's name, Liam finally reacted.

He stubbed out his cigarette and said flatly, "Wait until Serena returns."

"That day also happens to be an anniversary Chloe has been looking forward to for a long time. I'll give her a 'surprise' and make her pay back everything she owes Serena."

Chloe's breath caught. Her gaze cut through the smoke to Liam's cold, stern face, and she felt as if her heart had been ripped open, the pain so intense her vision went blurred.

So it was Liam who spread all those rumors slandering her mother!

Liam pursued her and protected her, all just for revenge.

The person he truly loves is her half-sister, Serena.

Chloe couldn't bear to hear any more and turned to flee in a panic.

But she hadn't gone more than a few steps when a group of women blocked her path.

"Well, well, the girl in that explicit video?!"

"Just came from the office? Couldn't wait to offer yourself up again?"

Chloe's face was pale as she tried to get away, but the group just pushed her back and forth.

Just then, Liam's icy voice came from behind her—

"You dare touch Chloe right under my nose? Do you have a death wish?"

Liam had left the office at some point, and his tall, imposing figure was now strolling toward them.

The girls scattered the moment they saw Liam.

Liam came to Chloe's side, reached out to smooth her disheveled hair, and as he leaned down to look into her eyes, he gently caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"Didn't I tell you? If anyone bullies you again, just drop my name."

The familiar smell of tobacco filled her nose, stinging her eyes and making them burn.

The Liam before her now merged with the memory of the man who had protected her so many times, feeling like an old dream.

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

Later, rumors flew around school that her mother was a mistress, and that Serena was the true, legitimate daughter of the Carter family.

As "a mistress's daughter," she was inevitably bullied.

It was Liam who rescued her from her misery. Using his position on the school board, he effortlessly carved out a safe haven for her.

Yesterday was Liam's birthday, and emboldened by alcohol, they slept together. He dropped his usual elegant and refined facade, forcefully pinning her against the bare floor-to-ceiling window, watching her body tremble with nervousness.

As Liam claimed her, Chloe felt like a long-lost bird finally returning to its nest.

Little did she know, her return to the nest was built on one scheme after another.

Chloe was in a daze.

By the time she snapped out of it, Liam had already led her out of the office building and she was in the passenger seat of his car.

Chapter 2

Liam leaned over to fasten her seatbelt as usual. Noticing her red-rimmed eyes, he said softly, "The video was an accident. I'll handle it. You're not yourself today, I'll take you home so you can rest."

Chloe bit her lip. As she recalled his words in the office, tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Liam froze for a second, then raised his hand to wipe her tears. A moment later, as if remembering something, he opened his door and said, "Wait here, I'm going to buy something."

The door closed, and only then did Chloe realize Liam had taken the wrong phone.

His phone was in the slot by the armrest, and on a strange impulse, Chloe picked it up and typed Serena's birthday as the password.

The phone unlocked, and Chloe saw Serena's name in the pinned chats on WhatsApp.

In their recent chat history, Serena asked him if he could end their relationship with her before she returned to the country.

Liam replied: Just a plaything, I never wanted to be with her.

Chloe's heart clenched, and fighting back the sting in her nose, she kept scrolling up.

During the two years Serena was abroad, Liam called her every single day without fail, always around eight in the evening.

This was also the time he claimed to have board meetings, telling Chloe not to disturb him no matter what.

On top of that, he would transfer money to Serena every month, amounts as high as six figures, so straightforward that there was never even a memo.

Serena was also very good at being cute, occasionally sending a few selfies looking for praise, and Liam would reply with cute emoji Chloe had never seen before, reminding her not to wear too little and catch a cold.

Looking at these chat logs, Chloe finally understood that she had never really known Liam at all.

The tenderness and consideration he showed was just the tip of the iceberg of his overwhelming love for Serena.

When Liam returned to the car, he placed a box of morning-after pills in her hand.

Liam gently stroked the top of her head and said in an incredibly gentle tone, "Last night was a bit rushed, I wasn't careful. Take this, just in case."

Chloe clutched the pill box tightly in her hands, biting her lip so hard it almost bled.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would probably still be foolishly thinking that Liam genuinely had her best interests at heart.

Now, she was wide awake.

After the car stopped in front of the villa, Liam leaned in to kiss her goodbye out of habit, but Chloe dodged his kiss and fumbled to unbuckle her seatbelt.

The man's eyes darkened, and he forcefully pulled her into his arms.

"Still upset about the video?"

"..."

"I didn't record the video, and the hotel manager has already been fired."

Liam lifted her chin, "Chloe, I never meant to hurt you, and I never will.

Our anniversary is coming up soon, and I'll make it up to you properly then."

Lies disguised as kindness are often more hurtful than the truth.

Chloe's nose stung, and she pushed Liam away, saying, "I'm going inside."

She practically ran into the villa.

But as soon as she got through the door, she ran right into Mr. Carter.

Mr. Carter's face was grim, and before Chloe could speak, he raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

"Chloe, I really underestimated you. Dating is acceptable, but you even made that kind of indecent video—you've completely ruined my reputation!"

"No wonder those people at your school are always targeting you. It's because you're so filthy and disgusting yourself, you attract all the flies!"

After his tirade, Mr. Carter threw a plane ticket in front of Chloe.

"I've booked you a flight for seven days from now. Get as far away as you can and never come back!"

Chloe picked up the plane ticket from the floor, her fingers trembling slightly, as if it were a verdict sentencing her to be completely abandoned by the world.

Her father found her disgraceful and wanted her to leave.

Just as well, she didn't want to stay anymore either.

"I'll go."

Chloe's tone was calm. "And I'll do as you say. I'll never come back."

Mr. Carter was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

He had arranged for Serena to study abroad and tried to persuade Chloe to go with her, but Chloe refused. Only after repeated questioning did he learn that she was in dating and was head over heels in love.

He thought Chloe would refuse again.

But he didn't expect her to agree so readily this time.

Mr. Carter's anger subsided a little, and he said coldly:

"Serena is coming back this weekend. I'm throwing a welcome-home banquet for her, and you'll be there too."

"The video is already out. If you don't show up, it will only confirm all the rumors."

Chloe nodded, "I know."

...

Chloe took three days off from school.

She spent those three days packing up everything Liam had ever given her and sold them all online for the original price.

Three days later, Serena returned from abroad.

Mr. Carter threw a welcome-home banquet for her at the biggest hotel in Los Angeles, inviting all the big names in the business world.

That included Liam.

Chloe didn't expect to run into Liam there. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a deserted corner.

Liam pinned her against the wall, his hands firmly planted on either side of her, his hot breath fanning against her ear.

"You haven't been to school these past few days, you're not answering my messages, and you were silent even on our anniversary."

"Chloe, you know how worried I was about you?"

Chapter 3

His eyes were locked on her, clearly unhappy about her disappearance.

Chloe pressed her lips together, mustering the courage to meet Liam's gaze. "So, Liam actually worries about an insignificant sex buddy?"

The usually docile and obedient Chloe suddenly showing a temper surprised Liam a little.

A rebellious feeling surged through him, and he yanked Chloe closer, his arm wrapping tightly around her waist.

"Sex buddy?"

"Once in two years, and you call that a relationship only with sex?"

Chloe didn't know what had gotten into Liam, as he grabbed her chin and was about to kiss her.

Just then, a voice sounded nearby.

"Liam, you are here. Serena's looking for you."

Liam frowned slightly, let go of Chloe, and said to the person, "Got it, I'll be right there."

Chloe pretended to be surprised and asked Liam, "You know my sister?"

"Know her? Their relationship is more exciting than you think."

Liam's friend had a teasing look on his face. "Chloe, just you wait. You will be shocked."

After the two had walked away, a flash of mockery crossed Chloe's eyes.

These people thought she was still in the dark, planning to stage a grand humiliation for her today.

But they didn't know she had already composed herself, ready to make a clean break with Liam.

As the banquet was in full swing, the lights went out.

An instant later, a spotlight hit the stage, revealing a sharply dressed Liam with Serena, who was in a white gown, on his arm.

Mr. Carter, beaming, raised his hand for silence and announced loudly:

"I've invited you all here today for two reasons: first, to welcome Serena home from her studies, and second, to announce some good news."

"The Carter and Sterling families are friends for generations, and years ago, we arranged a marriage for Serena and Liam."

"Now, they are deeply in love, and the formal engagement banquet will be held at the end of the month. I hope you will all come to witness their happiness!"

​

After Mr. Carter finished speaking, Liam's friends all turned to look at Chloe, waiting to enjoy the sight of her breaking down.

But Chloe just stood quietly in the crowd, her expression calm, as if everything on stage had nothing to do with her.

Liam frowned slightly.

In his mind, Chloe was supposed to lose control when she found out about his relationship with Serena.

But right now, she was a little too calm.

A strange restlessness stirred in Liam's heart. Serena, sensing something was off, quickly asked, "Liam, what's wrong?"

Liam subtly averted his gaze. "It's nothing. I just zoned out for a second."

He knew very well that Chloe's feelings for him ran deep; it was impossible for her to have no reaction.

She was just putting on a brave face.

...

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

Thinking back on her past infatuation with Liam, she felt utterly foolish.

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

It wasn't because he cherished her, but because he couldn't even be bothered to touch her.

And the first sex she had always treasured was, to him, just perfect material to ruin her reputation.

Just as Chloe returned to the banquet hall, Mr. Carter called her over.

"Chloe, come here. This is your brother-in-law."

Chloe walked up to Liam, a perfect smile playing on her lips. "Brother-in-law."

Hearing the words "brother-in-law," Liam's expression tightened.

But Serena didn't seem to notice, smiling brightly. "Chloe, I just heard that Liam is on the board of directors at your school. What a coincidence! If you run into any trouble in the future, just ask your brother-in-law for help. After all, we're all family."

Chloe gritted her teeth and said, word by word, "I won't cause my brother-in-law any trouble."

She didn't look at Liam's face, but she could feel his piercing gaze, like a freezing wind in the dead of winter, making her tremble.

After a few simple pleasantries, Chloe prepared to leave.

But Serena stepped forward and took her arm, feigning intimacy. "Chloe, we haven't seen each other in so long. I have so much I want to tell you."

Without another word, she dragged Chloe to a lounge.

The moment the door closed, Serena dropped her smile, her expression turning cold and sinister.

"Chloe, I heard you slept with Liam, and the video is all over the place. Did you think you could cling to hm with such a cheap trick?"

"Let me tell you the truth. He doesn't like you at all. Not only does he not like you, he's utterly disgusted by you!"

"I asked him to spread the rumor that your mom was the mistress. I told him to pursue you. I just wanted to watch you fall in love with him, only to be destroyed by him personally!"

Chapter 4

Chloe: "Why?"

"Why?

Because you have no shame, of course. Your mom's been dead for years, and you're still clinging to the Carter family's things?"

"All of that was supposed to be mine! What right do you, the daughter of a mistress, have to enjoy the Carter family's wealth and luxury!"

Chloe could tolerate anything, but she could not tolerate her mother being insulted.

She lunged in front of Serena, her voice squeezed through her teeth:

"My mother was not the mistress. When she married my father, she didn't know he has married your mother."

"It's you! Drove her to death!!"

Serena hadn't expected Chloe to talk back to her, and raised her hand to slap her.

Just then, the door to the lounge was pushed open.

Catching sight of Liam, Serena quickly grabbed some nut pastries from the table and stuffed them into her mouth.

The next moment, she went limp and collapsed, mumbling, "Chloe, why did you force me to eat this? I'm allergic to nuts..."

Liam rushed over to Serena and pushed Chloe away.

Chloe stumbled backward, her back hitting the coffee table hard.

With a crash, the cups on the coffee table shattered, and Chloe's hands were pierced by the shards, dripping with blood.

​

Liam didn't even glance at her. He quickly knelt and pulled Serena into his arms.

"Serena, are you okay?"

With tears in her eyes, Serena helplessly grabbed Liam's arm. "I just wanted to catch up with Chloe. I don't know what I did to offend her, but she just forced me to eat those pastries..."

"Look at me, am I breaking out in a rash?"

Liam looked down and saw large red hives rapidly breaking out all over Serena's skin.

"What should I do?

The banquet isn't over yet. I can't embarrass you. Makeup... yes, I need to cover it with makeup!"

Liam gripped Serena's wrist tightly. "How can you be thinking about that now?

Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital."

Liam picked Serena up, and before leaving, he shot Chloe a cold glare.

Fighting through the intense pain, Chloe struggled to her feet. Blood gushed from her hands, instantly staining the hem of her dress red.

But she couldn't feel the pain. It was as if all her senses had been stripped away the moment she fell into a bottomless abyss.

She called for a server to bring a first-aid kit and shakily managed to bandage her wounds.

Exhausted from the ordeal, Chloe dragged her feet, preparing to leave.

Just as she entered the hallway, several figures lunged out and dragged her into a nearby storage room without a word.

Then, a large hand gripped her chin hard, forcing her to look up as highly concentrated Chili Oil was poured into her mouth.

Chloe's eyes widened in terror.

Like Serena, she had allergies, and she was born allergic to chili peppers.

This much Chili Oil was enough to kill her!

"Mmph... let..."

Chloe struggled desperately.

But the men gave her no chance to resist, pouring cup after cup of Chili Oil down her throat.

She choked, her face turning beet red, and her body began to convulse violently. Her injured hands clawed feebly at the floor, making an unsettling sound.

Instead of stopping when they saw her wretched state, the men only grew more vicious, hurling insults at her:

"Serena is the woman Liam treasures. You dare to lay a hand on her? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I heard you got bullied a lot in school. You must be completely used up by all kinds of guys by now. A man with standards as high as Liam would never want a filthy slut like you."

"Just drink all this Chili Oil. Consider it an apology to Serena. Or else, we'll make you suffer!"

Chloe's vision grew increasingly blurry, and her consciousness began to fade.

She used the last of her strength, almost unconsciously murmuring that person's name, "Liam..."

The moment she spoke, a piercing laugh came from above her.

"Hahaha!

You don't actually expect Liam to come save you, do you?"

"He told us to pour this Chili Oil on you. You hurt Serena, he'd be happy if you were dead!"

"Come on, let's rip her clothes off, take pictures, and send them to Liam. Let him get some satisfaction too!"

Several men swarmed her, tearing Chloe's dress to shreds in an instant.

They frantically took pictures of the barely breathing, disheveled Chloe until she couldn't hold on any longer and passed out completely.