After her father died in a car crash, Sophie Williams became an orphan.

Her father's close friend adopted her. He said he was ten years older and told her to call him Uncle Alexander .

From then on, she got everything she wanted. Alexander Reed spoiled her so much and she became the most pampered little princess in New York.

Until her eighteenth birthday, when she stole his cherished bracelet and placed each bead into her secret place. The cool touch felt like his fingers tracing her skin.

The next second, the door opened. He saw what she was doing.

He couldn't believe it, and was angry with her. He yelled at her for crossing the line, and even daring to have such impure thoughts about her guardian.

The next day, The next day, he tore up her admission letter to Elite University and sent her to Reformatory—the most notorious institution for moral discipline in Washington. He ordered her to learn propriety from the teachers, to get rid of those dirty thoughts—only then could she come back.

But the first day she got there, someone poured mustard into her eyes.

On the second day, she was dragged down staircases for two hours.

On the third day, a stranger entered her room.

...

Three years later, Alexander came to pick her up.

Sophie stood at Reformatory's gates, watching the familiar black Maybach pull over slowly.

The car door opened. Alexander stepped out. He still looked cold and refined as before.

Unlike three years ago, there was a woman in his passenger seat now.

She had on an elegant white dress, with long hair flowing over her shoulders. She offered a gentle smile.

"You must be Sophie?

Hello, I'm Olivia Lee, Alexander's fiancée. Just call me Olivia."

Sophie nodded numbly, and said quietly. "Hello, Olivia."

After she spoke, she turned and slid into the back seat.

Alexander started the car coldly. "Did you learn your lesson?

Do you still have those improper thoughts?"

Sophie's fingers trembled. Her heart clenched like a fist had seized it.

Memories flooded back—electric shocks, being dragged, being humiliated—and it felt like there was a rock stuck in her throat. It hurt so bad that she could barely talk.

She closed her eyes, and whispered, "No. Never again."

Alexander frowned. Suddenly, a strange feeling welled up.

This was exactly the answer he'd wanted most. So why did he still feel upset?

"Good."

Sophie smiled bitterly and fell silent.

The car raced to the Reed family's villa.

Sophie got off and walked toward her room.

But when she pushed the door open, she found it had already been turned into a cat's nest.

Olivia appeared behind her, wearing an apologetic look. "Sorry, Sophie. Since Alexander and I are marrying soon, I moved in last month.

I usually like to help stray cats and dogs—your room gets the best sunlight, so I put the cats here. I'll tell the housekeepers to clear it out right now.”"

Sophie shook her head. "Don't bother. You're the lady of the house now. Any room is fine."

She turned toward the guest quarters, obedient as a doll.

At dinner, Alexander catered to Olivia's every need.

He placed food in her bowl, and spoke to her softly with tender eyes.

Sophie kept her gaze fixed downward. She just ate her rice like none of this had anything to do with her.

Olivia glanced at her during a lull and softly urged: "Sophie, don't just eat rice. Have some dishes."

Sophie reacted on instinct, like she was following an order. She started shoveling vegetables into her mouth mechanically. Even when the food was so hot it burned blisters in her throat, she still swallowed numbly.

Olivia smiled at Alexander: "You said Sophie was hard to get along with, but I find her quite docile now. So well-behaved."

Alexander lifted his eyes to study Sophie.

He hadn't expected her transformation to be this complete. Since her return, she hadn't shown a hint of rebellion. So he nodded, pretty satisfied: "Seems you learned well there.

Keep behaving like this with Olivia from now on."

Sophie finished the entire plate before her and stood: "I'm full. I'll go back to my room first."

When she got to her room and shut the door, she finally let out a breath.

She pulled a small box out of her pocket—it held the money she'd saved up over the years at Reformatory.

Alexander's words echoed—get along with Olivia—but her plan was clear: buy a plane ticket far from here, far from Alexander.

She counted the money. Turns out she only had enough for a cheap flight in nine days.

She took out her phone and tapped "purchase" with shaking fingers.

When the ticket confirmation appeared, she closed her eyes as tears fell. It felt like a relief, but also like it was despair.

After washing up, she lay rigidly on the woven sleeping mat, and forced herself to close her eyes as in Reformatory days.

But maybe it was because she was back in this familiar place, the second she closed her eyes, Alexander's face just kept popping up in her head.

His icy stare, and voice echoed from some distant place: "Sophie, you have no sense of decency! This is ridiculous—you even dare to have such delusions about your uncle?"

All those memories swirled in her head. Just as she was dozing off,

the door suddenly opened.

A man walked in, frowned, and said: “Why are you going to bed so early?

You forgot your milk."

Hearing a male voice, Sophie's eyes snapped open. She sat upright.

She'd forgotten she was home. Reformatory rules took over: whenever a man walked into her room, she had to offer immediate service.

Slow reactions meant agony beyond endurance.

She scrambled forward, and dropped to her knees, fumbling with the man's belt while crying: "Don't hit me! I'll serve you right now—"

As the belt loosened, lights snapped on.

Through tear-blurred vision, she saw Alexander holding milk. His eyes were filled with shock.

"What are you doing—

?!"

Sophie's thin lips trembled slightly, before she could speak, Alexander was already furious.

He slammed the milk in his hand onto the ground, glass shards flying everywhere, the milky liquid splashing near her feet, icy cold.

"I thought you had improved, but here's your next move."

His voice was cold as ice, his eyes filled with a hint of disgust and anger, "I'm telling you, I won't like little girls, especially not one I raised from childhood.

I'm not a monster, even if you stand naked in front of me, I won't look at you."

After saying that, he turned and strode away, his back as cold and hard as an iceberg.

Sophie stood in place, fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, fingertips turning white.

Her throat felt blocked, unable to make any sound.

Soon, suggestive sounds started coming from the next room.

"Alexander, be gentle... Sophie is in the next door."

Alexander didn't respond, only the sounds of kissing grew louder.

Then came Olivia's moans, each one higher than the last.

The creaking of the bed also grew more intense with each sound.

Sophie knew Alexander was deliberately warning her, making her understand her place.

She was indeed in pain, but this pain didn't come from liking him.

Long ago in those hellish three years, her liking for him had completely vanished.

When he sent her to Reformatory, Alexander once said, "Sophie, remember, I will never like you."

Three years later, she had learned the rules and dared not like him anymore.

Her pain came from hearing those sounds every night during those three years.

Some from other people. Some from herself.

They haunted her like a nightmare; she could never escape them.

She began kneeling on the floor, facing the direction of Reformatory, kowtowing over and over.

Bang bang bang, the sound of her forehead hitting the ground was dull and piercing.

"Sophie doesn't like Alexander anymore, Sophie doesn't like Alexander anymore, Sophie will never like Alexander again..."

She muttered like crazy. Her voice was hoarse and numb, as if only this could free her from those painful memories.

The next morning, Sophie sat at the dining table, staring down at her breakfast and mechanically eating it.

Alexander and Olivia came down from upstairs. Olivia's neck was covered in kiss marks, and her smile was bright and glaring.

Sophie didn't look sideways, as if none of this concerned her.

After finishing breakfast, she stood up to leave, but Alexander called her back.

"Stop, what happened to your forehead?"

Sophie stopped, and said numbly, "I bumped it by accident."

After saying that, she turned to leave.

She had made up her mind to endure the remaining eight days in her room, then leave for good.

Alexander's voice suddenly rose, "What kind of bump could cause that?

Are you thinking of ways to..."

Before he finished, Olivia interrupted him, "Alexander, don't be so harsh on the little girl."

She smiled at Sophie, "Sophie, today Alexander and I are going to choose a wedding venue, come with us."

Sophie was about to refuse, but Alexander said sharply, "I just told you yesterday to get along with Olivia. Have you forgotten everything?"

Sophie lowered her head, and said quietly: "Alright."

After reviewing several venues, Olivia finally decided to hold the wedding on a cruise ship.

Halfway through, Alexander stepped inside the cabin to take a business call.

Olivia and Sophie stood on the deck as the sea breeze carried a hint of saltiness.

Neither of them said a word the whole time. Just as Sophie began retreating from the uncomfortable proximity, Olivia called out:

"Sophie, I've always wondered—what kind of shameless person would fall for her own uncle?"

Sophie froze instantly. Her fingers gripped the railing tight.

Noticing her shock, Olivia chuckled: "How did I know?

Rumors swirled about Alexander spoiling a girl so much before suddenly sent her to Reformatory. Curiosity led me to uncover your... peculiar attachment to the man who raised you."

Sophie turned pale. Her lips trembled a little.

"I—"

Before she could finish, Olivia turned with icy precision: "Sophie, I've loved Alexander for years. Now that he's agreed to marry me, I won't tolerate any disruptions. Especially not a 'homewrecker' lingering in our marriage. Understand?"

Sophie closed her eyes, and said with trembling voice: "I understand, Olivia. I'll leave."

"Reassured?"

Olivia let out a cold laugh. "Not at all.

That's why I'll force you out before the wedding begins."

Before Sophie could react, Olivia spun around and plunged into the sea.

The loud splash instantly drew everyone's attention.

"Olivia!"

Alexander's voice rang from the cabin as he rushed out. He jumped into the water without hesitation.

Sophie stood frozen, limbs numb as if nailed to the deck.

Alexander hauled Olivia back aboard, and performed CPR until she coughed up seawater. Her eyes fluttered open, misty and fragile. "Alexander," she whispered weakly, "I thought Sophie had accepted me these past days... but she pushed me when I wasn't looking. Please don't blame her—"

She fainted before finishing.

Alexander's gaze snapped up with restrained fury. "Unrepentant!

Sophie, when will you abandon these vile schemes?"

Sophie shook her head frantically. "It wasn't me, Uncle Alexander! I've moved on, and I didn't push her."

"Do you ever speak truth?"

Alexander cut her off, scooping Olivia into his arms. "You'll answer for this!" He stormed toward the hospital.

Sophie stood on the deck alone, and felt her heart hollowed out. Watching his retreating figure, she murmured the words she'd repeated ten thousand times:

"Alexander... I truly don't love you anymore."

At midnight, Sophie was waiting silently on the sofa.

She knew Alexander's "answer for this" meant punishment. Years at Reformatory taught her: fleeing or begging only worsened the pain.

So she waited obediently.

The door burst open after what felt like eternity.

Alexander swept in with the storm's fury. "Kneel!"

Sophie dropped wordlessly to the floor, head bowed.

He paused, seemingly startled by her compliance. He retrieved a whip from the wall, and stepped forward. "Finally obedient?

Too late!

Sophie, did my indulgence make you think our family discipline was decoration?"

Crack!

The lash struck her back.

Sophie shuddered violently but made no sound, as if the whip struck another.

"Speak!" Alexander's voice cracked like thunder. "Do you admit your guilt?"

"I do."

"You do?" He raised the whip again. "Then why repeat your crimes?"

Crack!

"Why push Olivia? She nearly died!"

Crack!

"Why cling to me? I'm ten years your senior!"

Crack!

"Why are you so shameless? Don't you know I've raised you since childhood?"

...

The fifty-second lash.

"Sophie, why must you be so absurd? So absurd that you make me..."

Alexander's mind burned with rage. After countless lashes, words nearly escaped his lips when suddenly—a maid threw herself at him, weeping.

"Mr. Reed, please stop! Miss Sophie grew up pampered—she can't endure this!"

"Look, I beg you! The floor's already a river of blood!"

Only then did Alexander halt his whip, glancing down at Sophie.

Her back ran crimson, blood pooling beneath her and even reaching his leather shoes.

But what stunned him: Sophie remained bowed throughout, shedding no tears, offering no plea for mercy.

He yanked her upright—only to find her eyes hollow and numb.

"Sophie, won't you cry out in pain?

You always knew how to whimper and fuss before."

Sophie lifted her head, voice eerily calm: "Because it doesn't hurt."

The suffering endured at Reformatory—the beatings there—hurt far worse than this.

Her voice turned hoarse, face ghostly pale: "Finished?

May I leave now... Uncle Alexander?"

Alexander finally sensed something amiss. "Impossible! How could it not hurt?

Fifty-two lashes—how?"

He tore open her blouse—the maid gasped behind them—

His pupils contracted violently, breath catching in his throat!

Sophie's back was covered with horrifying scars. Fresh whip marks layered over old ones, crisscrossing like a map of endless torment carved into her skin.

Her entire body seemed ravaged, every inch of skin whispering tales of suffering.

Alexander stood frozen before her, his whip clattering to the floor.

His face turned ghostly pale, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

His trembling fingers hovered near her wounds, afraid to touch and cause more pain.

"How... how did this happen?"

His voice rasped, thick with choked rage and anguish.

Sophie lowered her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips.

Had he finally discovered?

Uncovered that the so-called Reformatory was actually hell?

But what good would it do?

Could the bright, laughing princess Sophie ever return?

She couldn't.

Before she could speak, Olivia's voice floated from behind—gentle yet resigned: "Sophie, I've forgiven you for pushing me into the sea. Why trick Alexander like this now?"

Alexander's expression shifted, uncertainty threading his words: "These... are fake?"

Olivia laughed lightly, dismissive: "Of course! Didn't you say she's been locked inside the Reformatory these three years?

It's the most reputable school in Washington. Where could she get hurt there?

Alexander, don't fall for her lies."

Relief flooded Alexander, instantly replaced by fury.

He hurled the whip down, voice icy: "Sophie, you're hopeless!

No food for you today!"

Sophie nodded blankly.

Skipping meals was routine at the Reformatory anyway.

Sometimes she'd fought dogs for scraps when starving.

"Fine," she whispered.

She turned toward her room, silhouette frail yet unyielding.

Inside, the maid Emily Johnson—who'd cared for her for years—entered with ointment.

Tears welled instantly at Sophie's scars.

"Miss Sophie, why didn't you explain?

These scars aren't fake!

Aren't you supposed to be studying at that school?

How did you get hurt like this?

Why not tell Mr. Alexander?

He adores you—he'd be devastated if he knew!"

Sophie stared vacantly at the floor.

Emily's words stabbed like knives.

Would he care?

Maybe in the past.

Back then, Alexander truly cherished her.

When boys passed her love letters boasting sports car rides if she dated them,

Alexander gifted her a garage of luxury cars worth millions to smash for fun, his voice dripping with fondness: "My girl won't be swayed by ordinary men."

When she had a fever, he'd abandon crucial meetings abroad, fly ten-plus hours, and keep vigil at her bedside until her temperature broke.

Sophie winced through her cramps as Alexander brewed the Herbal Remedy Drink himself. He spoon-fed her while whispering soothingly, "Be good, Sophie. This will ease the pain."

Tears welled in Sophie's eyes as she closed them softly. "Emily," she murmured, "I'm exhausted. Need to sleep."

Emily dabbed her own tears before tucking the blanket around Sophie. "Rest well, Miss Sophie," she choked out.

Sophie nodded, sinking into the pillow as silent tears soaked the linen. Her thoughts blurred into sleep.

Dreams carried her backward.

Alexander held her hand, taking her to the amusement park. He bought her ice cream, rode the carousel beside her—his smile tender, indulgent, as if she were his entire world.

But those moments felt galaxies away.

All... all in the past now.

Sophie spent the day recovering in her room, the whip marks on her back still burning with pain.

But she'd long grown accustomed to this suffering.

Just then, the door creaked open softly as Olivia entered, holding an exquisite evening gown.

"Sophie, it's Alexander's birthday today. I've arranged a party for him. Come with me."

Sophie shook her head. "I won't go. You two should enjoy yourselves."

Olivia's smile stiffened, her tone laced with threat. "Sophie, you better behave."

At those words, Sophie's body jerked violently, her eyes instantly vacant.

As if controlled by invisible strings, she mechanically nodded, accepted the gown, and turned to change.

Watching her retreating figure, Olivia's lips curled into a smirk of satisfaction.

She'd discovered long ago that uttering "you better behave" made Sophie obey like a spellbound puppet.

Could this be conditioning from the Reformatory?

But that school preached virtue—how could it employ such methods?

Before Olivia could ponder further, Sophie emerged in the gown.

Olivia appraised her head to toe before nodding approval. "Let's go. The party's starting."

The ballroom blazed with crystal lights, humming with well-dressed guests.

Sophie trailed behind Olivia, head bowed like a lifeless puppet.

Her appearance immediately sparked whispers among the crowd.

"Is that the treasured girl Alexander keeps?

She looks skeletal and utterly lifeless!"

"Strange—my son had a crush on her. Said she glowed, that every boy adored her. Now she's like a wooden doll."

"She pales next to Alexander's fiancée."

"Olivia and Alexander are the perfect match—a union written in the stars."

Sophie remained deaf to the murmurs, silently shadowing Olivia.

Olivia glided to Alexander's side, linking arms with him as she cooed sweetly, "Alexander, everyone says we're destiny's match."

Alexander smiled gently. "They speak truth."

During gift presentations, Olivia produced an elegant box, feigning shyness. "You lack nothing, so I prepared a pregnancy planning schedule.

We'll marry soon—I want a son and daughter. What do you think?"

Alexander froze, his gaze flicking involuntarily toward Sophie before returning. "Your wish is my command," he replied indulgently.

Olivia nestled against his chest, then turned to Sophie. "Sophie, what's your gift?"

Eyes downcast, Sophie retrieved a box from her purse and handed it to Alexander.

He opened it to reveal a crystalline family heirloom bracelet.

Olivia glanced dismissively. "A bracelet? Alexander would never wear such a thing.

How thoughtless."

Sophie remained silent, lifting her eyes to meet Alexander's.

Just as expected, she saw shock blazing in his gaze.

Only the two of them knew this family heirloom bracelet was meant for the future lady of the Reed family.

Years ago, Sophie had coaxed it out of Alexander with playful antics, and he gifted it to her thinking she simply adored its beauty.

Now, she was returning it willingly.

"I wish you happiness, Uncle Alexander," Sophie murmured softly.

Alexander's heart clenched violently as he opened his mouth to speak—

A piercing scream cut through the air.

He looked up to see the grand chandelier in the banquet hall swaying precariously.

It was plummeting directly toward where Sophie stood!

"Sophie, watch out!" Alexander cried out.

Alexander's pupils contracted sharply. As the chandelier plummeted, he lunged forward without hesitation, shielding Sophie in his arms.

The heavy fixture crashed onto his shoulder with a sickening thud.

Shards exploded everywhere. Chaos erupted instantly as guests screamed and scrambled away.

Olivia rushed over, voice trembling: "Alexander! How bad is it? Does it hurt? We need to get you to the hospital!"

Gazing at the trembling Sophie in his arms, Alexander strained to steady his voice: "It's nothing. Just a scratch."

Olivia insisted: "No! You must see a doctor!"

Reluctantly, Alexander instructed his assistant to drive him to the hospital.

He turned to Olivia: "Olivia, take Sophie home. She shouldn't be alone right now."

Olivia's face darkened. "Seriously? You're worrying about her at a time like this?"

"Listen to me." Alexander paled from pain. "I raised her since she was little."

Clenching her jaw, Olivia roughly grabbed Sophie's wrist and dragged her into the car.

Sophie's mind remained foggy, moving mechanically as Olivia pulled her along.

Midway through the journey, Olivia abruptly ordered the driver to stop. Glaring venomously at Sophie, she hissed: "I have other matters. Walk home yourself."

The driver protested: "Miss Lee, it's freezing outside—"

Olivia cut him off sharply: "Who will be Mrs. Reed someday? Have you forgotten whose orders to follow?"

The driver fell silent, helplessly watching Sophie step into the endless darkness alone.

Sophie trudged for five frigid hours before reaching the Reed mansion.

Stumbling in the pitch black, she fell into a muddy ditch. By the time she arrived, her clothes were soaked through, hair plastered to her face—utterly disheveled.

Before she could catch her breath, she saw the entire villa engulfed in towering flames.

Frozen in shock, she barely registered the scene before bodyguards seized her wrists. "Miss Sophie, you set that fire! Miss Lee has third-degree burns and is fighting for her life. Mr. Reed ordered us to take you to the hospital."

Sophie stared blankly. "I didn't—"

They shoved her into a car and sped to the hospital.

In the corridor, Alexander leaned against the wall—slender waist and long legs accentuated by his black suit, left shoulder bandaged. His expression was thunderous.

Watching the guards bring Sophie in, he lifted icy eyes. Suppressed rage simmered in his voice: "Sophie. Can't you go one day without causing trouble? What did Olivia ever do to deserve you burning her alive?"

Sophie shook her head frantically. "It wasn't me! I—"

"Enough!" Alexander's voice slashed through the air. "The evidence is clear! Or are you suggesting Olivia set herself on fire just to frame you?"

As Sophie tried to speak, the operating room doors burst open.

A doctor rushed out, face grave: "Mr. Reed, Miss Lee needs skin grafts. Before losing consciousness, she asked me to tell you: 'You've spoiled Sophie too much. This ends now. She must pay for what she did to me—personally.'"

Olivia's words made it clear to everyone at once—

She was suggesting skin grafting from Sophie.

Alexander's body went rigid, his gaze fixed on Sophie, eyes clouded with hesitation and conflict.

His fingers trembled slightly, heart clenched by an invisible force, stealing his breath with pain.

He parted his lips as if to speak, yet swallowed the words unspoken.

The doctor urged urgently, "Mr. Reed, Miss Lee has fainted from pain. Every second delayed increases scarring risks. Decide now."

Alexander's face paled instantly, cornered like prey.

Drawing a ragged breath, he finally whispered, "Sophie, I taught you since childhood—you must face consequences for your mistakes."

The words struck Sophie like shattering glass in her chest.

Her lips moved soundlessly, no protest emerging.

She realized with dull surprise—she longed to weep, yet no tears came.

Perhaps Reformatory had drained them all.

Numbly, she was wheeled into surgery—like a soulless husk.

The moment the doors shut, Olivia sat up grinning, no trace of burns on her skin.

Smiling sweetly at the doctor, her voice turned icy: "Begin. Remember—no anesthesia. Peel her skin layer by layer."

Medical staff exchanged uneasy glances but obeyed.

Nurses pinned Sophie's limbs to the operating table.

She lay motionless, vacant eyes fixed on the ceiling.

As the blade cut her skin, agony seared through every nerve.

Sophie's body jerked instinctively, but she bit back cries.

Steel sliced inch by inch, blood soaking the surgical drapes crimson.

Her knuckles whitened against the bedframe, nails digging into flesh—still silent.

Olivia watched raptly, eyes gleaming with mockery.

"Quite the monster, aren't you?" she cooed. "Enduring this without a whimper."

Sophie remained wordless, jaw locked against the torment.

Skin peeled away in strips.

Sophie's vision blurred into darkness.

Only the heart monitor's beep and Olivia's laughter echoed.

"Toss the scraps to the dogs later."

Darkness swallowed Sophie whole.

She awoke in a hospital bed, bandages encasing her forearm—searing pain at slightest touch.

The ward held only mechanical beeps and hushed nurses:

"Mr. Reed dotes on Miss Lee—visits daily, feeds her meals himself."

"Yeah, I heard they're getting married tomorrow, what a perfect match."

"That Sophie, I heard she was the little girl Alexander used to raise, spoiled rotten,

why is he ignoring her now? How pitiful."

Sophie remained silent from start to finish, she listened quietly, then counted the days until she could leave.

The day Sophie was discharged from the hospital, Alexander came to pick her and Olivia up.

Olivia linked arms with Sophie, saying with feigned concern, "Sophie, Mr. Alexander and I are getting married tomorrow.

Setting that fire was reckless, but I won't dwell on it. Let's just forget the past, alright?"

Sophie stayed silent, head bowed, her eyes vacant.

Alexander frowned, his voice edged with irritation, "Are you ignoring us?"

Still, Sophie remained wordless, as if all strength to respond had left her.

Alexander's anger simmered, thickening the car's suffocating atmosphere.

Halfway to their destination, a hotel staffer called, voice deferential: "Mr. Reed, there's an issue with the wedding setup. Could you please come?"

Fearing Sophie might disrupt the ceremony like when she pushed Olivia into the sea, they'd moved the venue to a hotel.

Alexander frowned, turning the car around toward the hotel.

Upon arrival, he stepped out and demanded, "What's wrong?"

The staffer bowed slightly. "Please follow me, Mr. Reed."

Alexander nodded, turning to Olivia and Sophie. "Wait in the suite. I'll join you shortly."

Olivia smiled, pulling Sophie into the hotel room.

Inside, Olivia settled on the sofa, tone dripping with scorn.

"Sophie, I admire your nerve. Our wedding's tomorrow, yet you're still here?"

Sophie murmured, "I'll leave."

Olivia scoffed. "You'll leave?

Do you think I believe that?

If you meant to go, you'd have gone ages ago. You cling to this fantasy that Alexander might love your mother—well, forget it!"

"He's my fiancé now! He loves me!

To him, you're nothing but dead weight!"

"Since you refuse kindness, don't blame me for what comes next."

She clapped her hands. The door flew open, and a crowd of beggars swarmed in.

Olivia ripped open her own dress, mussed her hair, and flung the door wide, shrieking:

"Help!

Alexander, help!"

Alexander, having just finished downstairs, heard the screams and burst into the room.

Olivia flung herself against him, trembling like a storm-tossed blossom. "Alexander! Sophie sent these men to assault me! She hates me—she wants to ruin me!"

Alexander stared at Sophie, disbelief igniting into a fury that threatened to consume the room.

"Sophie, you're beyond redemption!"

Sophie opened her mouth to explain, but Alexander wouldn't listen.

His voice turned arctic. "If you enjoy humiliation so much, savor it here all night!"

Scooping Olivia into his arms, he left without a backward glance.

Sophie's pupils contracted. Her blood seemed to freeze.

Memories of Reformatory's torment flooded her mind—

dark confinement rooms, icy whips, leering men's faces.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

"Uncle Alexander!

Save me!

Please, don't leave me here!"

Sophie lunged forward, trying to grab Alexander's sleeve, but the moment her fingers brushed his clothes, he coldly shook her off.

She knelt on the floor, frantically knocking her head against the ground with dull thuds.

"I was wrong!

I'm truly wrong!

Please, don't abandon me here!

Uncle Alexander, save me..."

"I can't be alone with these men, I'll go mad, I swear I'll go mad!"

Her agonized, desperate screams echoed as tears mixed with blood streamed down her forehead, staining the floor crimson.

This was the first time since bringing her back from the Reformatory that he'd witnessed such utter devastation on her face.

Alexander paused briefly mid-step, yet ultimately walked away without looking back.

Olivia nestled in his arms and whispered, "Nothing bad will happen, right?"

Alexander sneered, "She chose those men herself. What could possibly go wrong?"

He paused mid-stride, listening intently. Hearing no screams from the room, he walked away reassured.

He didn't know Sophie had stopped screaming because the beggars had already swarmed her.

Years at Reformatory trained her well—no matter how many men took turns on her, she never made a sound. Crying out only invited worse beatings.

The beggars' hands slithered over Sophie like venomous snakes, tearing her clothes and trampling her dignity.

Her body lay like a broken doll for their amusement.

Fingers clawing the bloodstained sheets until her knuckles whitened, she remained utterly silent.

Alexander's words echoed in her mind: "She chose those men herself. What could possibly go wrong?"

Her heart constricted as if crushed by an invisible fist, stealing her breath.

All night they violated Sophie.

Her body felt ripped apart, crimson soaking the sheets.

Eyes vacant, she stared at the ceiling while filthy men moved over her.

At dawn, the beggars finally rose, fastening their pants as they left satisfied.

Sophie curled naked on the floor, battered like discarded rags.

Time blurred before she numbly staggered upright and stumbled out.

Gasps erupted around her:

"What happened?

Why's she naked?"

"My God!

What—her intestines are protruding..."

Sophie shuffled forward, deaf to the chaos.

A flight reminder chimed on her phone—today was her escape day.

So close. She'd clung to life through Reformatory's horrors, clinging to hope.

Now her body and soul lay shattered.

Tears fell as she read the alert.

No escape left.

The man she loved, Alexander, had thrust her into hell. Again.

His call came then, sharp with fury:

"You rebellious little bitch!

Ignoring me all night? Enjoy playing victim?

You picked those men—what could they possibly do to you?"

Sophie gazed at her wounds, desolation flooding her.

What could they do?

They'd ravaged her all night as she tried to flee.

Memories of Reformatory fused with fresh torment—an inescapable hellscape.

They'd destroyed her completely.

Alexander's voice cut through: "Enough theatrics. Attend Olivia's and my wedding today.

No tricks. We're impossible—witness the ceremony and accept it."

Sophie finally spoke, her voice hoarse and calm: "Alright, Uncle Alexander, I'll make sure you see me with your own eyes."

After saying that, she hung up the phone, pressed the elevator button, and went up to the hotel rooftop.

Alexander hung up the phone, feeling uneasy for some reason.

Just as he was about to call Sophie again, the wedding car pulled up at the hotel entrance.

With a loud bang —

A figure plummeted from above, crashing right in front of his car.

Screams of terror erupted around him as he slowly looked up, pupils contracting sharply —

Through the shattered windshield, he saw Sophie's face.

Covered in blood, her eyes wide open in death.