After her father died in a car accident, Lauren Blaese became an orphan.

Matthew Moore, her father's old friend, took her in. He told Lauren he was ten years older and asked her to see him as her guardian.

From then on, he spoiled her so much that she became the most pampered girl in San Francisco.

Everything went well until her eighteenth birthday. That day, she stole his treasured bracelet. Bead by bead, she placed it into her private part. The cold touch felt as if he were in her body.

The next second, the door opened, and Matthew walked in on everything.

He was first stunned and then furious. He scolded her for a lack of morality. How could she even harbor such thoughts toward her own guardian?

The next day, he tore up her admission letter from Harvard and sent her to Rosewood Finishing School, the most renowned place of its kind in Boston. He told her to learn to behave herself like a lady, and only after cutting off such thoughts could she return.

But on her very first day there, people put mustard water into her eyes.

On the second, she was dragged by someone up the staircase for two hours.

On the third, a stranger entered her room.

***

Three years later, Matthew came to fetch her.

Lauren stood at the gate of Rosewood Finishing School, watching as that familiar black Maybach slowly came to a stop.

The car door opened, and Matthew stepped out from the driver's seat, still with that same cold and noble bearing.

But unlike three years ago, there was now a woman sitting in the passenger seat.

She wore an elegant white dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, her face lit with a gentle smile.

"So this is Lauren? Hello, I'm Matthew's fiancée, Jennifer Wilson. You can just call me Jennifer."

Lauren numbly nodded, her voice barely audible. "Nice to meet you, Jennifer."

With that, she turned around and quietly sat in the back seat.

Matthew started the car, his face dark. "How have you behaved these past few years? Do you still have those thoughts?"

Lauren's fingers trembled, her heart sinking.

She thought of those years of being shocked with electricity, dragged around, and humiliated. Her throat felt blocked. She couldn't speak.

Shaking, she closed her eyes and whispered, almost inaudibly. "No. Never again."

Matthew's brows drew together, a strange and complicated feeling rising in his chest.

This was exactly the answer he had wanted, but why did it feel so wrong?

"As long as you understand."

Lauren forced a bitter smile, lowered her head, and said nothing more.

The car sped all the way to the Moore's villa.

Lauren got out, instinctively walking toward her room.

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

Jennifer stood behind her, looking apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Lauren. Since I'll be marrying Matthew soon, I moved in a while ago. I often rescue stray cats and dogs, and your room has the best sunlight, so I put the cats here. I'll have the servants clear it out now."

Lauren shook her head. "No need for that, Jennifer. You're the hostess of this house. Where I stay doesn't matter."

With that, she turned and went to the guest room, more than obedient.

At dinner, Matthew was tender and attentive to Jennifer.

He served her food and spoke softly, his eyes filled with warmth.

The entire time, Lauren kept her gaze down, eating quietly, as if none of it had anything to do with her.

At one point, Jennifer looked at her and gently said, "Lauren, don't just eat pasta. Have some meat, too."

Lauren obeyed, hurriedly shoving meat into her mouth. Even though the heat blistered her throat, she still swallowed it all mechanically.

Jennifer smiled at Matthew. "And you said she was difficult. She seems perfectly easy to get along with to me. She's so well-behaved."

Matthew glanced up at Lauren.

He hadn't expected her to change so completely. Since returning, she hadn't shown the slightest temper. Satisfied, he nodded. "Seems you really did learn well there. From now on, stay like this. Get along with Jennifer."

Lauren finished the food in front of her, stood up, and said, "I'm full. I'll go back to my room."

Once inside, she shut the door and finally let out a sigh of relief.

From her pocket, she took out a small box. Inside was the money she had saved during her years at Rosewood Finishing School.

She recalled what Matthew had just said about getting along with Jennifer, but she had long made up her mind. She would buy a plane ticket, leave this place, and Matthew.

Counting the money, she found it was only enough for a cheap flight in nine days.

With trembling fingers, she booked it on her phone.

When the ticket was issued, she closed her eyes as tears streamed down. She sensed both relief and despair.

After washing up, she lay on the bed as she used to at Rosewood Finishing School, forcing herself to sleep.

Maybe because she was back in this familiar place, as soon as she closed her eyes, Matthew's face kept flashing in her mind.

That day, he treated her with complete cruelty. "Lauren, you slut. You're utterly absurd. How dare you even have such thoughts on me?"

The memories flooded in, and just as she was drifting off, the door suddenly opened.

Someone walked in, frowning. "Already in bed? It's still early. You forgot your milk."

The moment Lauren heard a man's voice, she snapped her eyes open and instinctively sat up straight.

She forgot she was home again. She thought she was still at Rosewood.

There, whenever a man entered her room, she had to immediately undo his belt, even on her period. There was no exception.

If she hesitated even a moment, she would be tortured a lot.

So she instantly scrambled over, dropped to her knees, and cried as she unbuckled his belt. "Don't hit me. Don't hit me. I'll serve you right away."

Just as the belt was about to come undone, the lights blazed on.

Through tear-blurred eyes, she saw Matthew standing there with a glass of milk, his face struck with utter shock.

"Lauren? What are you doing?!"

Lauren's thin lips trembled, but before she could speak, Matthew was already seething with anger.

He hurled the glass of milk to the floor. Shards of glass scattered, and the milk splashed at her feet.

"I thought you'd learned your lesson, but it turns out you've just found another way to play tricks."

His voice was as frigid as ice, his eyes filled with disgust and fury. "Let me make this clear. I will never like girls, much less the girl I've raised since childhood. I am not an animal. Even if you stripped bare in front of me, I wouldn't spare you a glance."

With that, he turned and strode away, his back cold and unyielding.

Lauren stood frozen in place, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Her throat felt blocked.

Soon, sounds of intimacy came from the next room.

"Matthew, gentler... Lauren's still in the room next door."

Matthew didn't respond. Only the wet sounds of kissing grew louder.

Then came Jennifer's moans, rising higher and higher.

The bed creaked violently in rhythm.

Lauren knew Matthew was doing this on purpose, just to warn her and to remind her of her place.

Yes, she was in pain, but not because she liked him.

That had long since burned away during those hellish three years.

When he sent her to Rosewood Finishing School, Matthew had told her, "Lauren, remember this. I will never fall for you."

Three years later, she had learned the lesson. She no longer dared to like him.

Her pain came from something else, from those three years of nights haunted by those words.

They were such a nightmare.

Those words clung to her, and she couldn't escape.

She dropped to her knees on the floor, facing the direction of Rosewood Finishing School, banging her head on the floor over and over again.

Bang, bang, bang... Her forehead thudded against the ground, dull and piercing.

"Lauren doesn't like Matthew Moore. Lauren doesn't like Matthew Moore. Lauren will never like Matthew Moore again..."

She whispered frantically, her voice hoarse and numb, as if only by repeating it could she break free from the torment of memory.

The next morning, Lauren sat at the breakfast table, head down, eating mechanically.

Matthew and Jennifer came downstairs together. Jennifer's neck was covered in love bites, her radiant smile blinding.

Lauren kept her gaze steady, as though none of it had anything to do with her.

After finishing her meal, she stood up to leave, but Matthew called her back.

"Stop. What happened to your forehead?"

Lauren froze, her voice flat and lifeless. "I accidentally bumped it."

Without another word, she turned to leave.

She had already decided that she would endure these last eight days in silence before leaving.

Matthew's voice suddenly rose. "What kind of accident leaves your head like that? Are you trying to..."

Before he could finish, Jennifer cut in, "Matthew, don't be so harsh with the little girl."

She turned to Lauren with a smile. "Lauren, today Matthew and I are going to choose a wedding venue. Come with us."

Lauren was about to refuse, but Matthew snapped, "I told you yesterday to get along with Jennifer. Have you already forgotten?"

Lauren lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "Alright."

After visiting several venues, Jennifer finally decided on having the wedding aboard a cruise ship.

Matthew stepped away to take a business call inside the cabin.

Jennifer and Lauren stood on the deck, the sea breeze damp and salty.

Neither spoke. Lauren was unused to spending time this way, and just as she was about to slip away quietly, Jennifer called her back.

"Lauren, I've always wondered what kind of shameless person falls in love with her parent-like guardian?"

Lauren froze, her fingers clutching the railing tightly.

Jennifer saw her shock and gave a soft laugh. "Curious how I know? I'd long heard there was a little girl he spoiled endlessly, only to suddenly send her off to a finishing school. I wondered why, and when I looked into it, I found out just how absurd you were. You fell for the man who raised you."

Lauren's face went pale, her lips trembling.

"I..."

Before she could finish, Jennifer turned, her gaze sharp and icy. "Lauren, I've loved Matthew for years. Now that he's finally agreed to marry me, I won't allow the slightest mishap. I especially won't allow a so-called 'third party' to linger in our lives after the wedding. Do you understand?"

Lauren closed her eyes, her voice shaking. "I understand, Jennifer. Don't worry. I'll leave."

"Don't worry?" Jennifer let out a cold laugh. "I have to. That's why I'll force you to leave before the wedding even begins."

Before Lauren could react, Jennifer suddenly turned around and leapt straight into the sea.

With a loud splash, all eyes were instantly drawn over.

"Jennifer!"

Matthew's voice rang out from inside the cabin. In the next second, he rushed out without hesitation and jumped into the water.

Lauren stood frozen, her hands and feet icy cold, as if nailed to the spot.

After much effort, Matthew finally pulled Jennifer out and gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Jennifer coughed violently several times before finally opening her pitiful eyes. "Matthew, I thought these past two days Lauren was beginning to accept me. I didn't expect she would take advantage of my carelessness and push me into the sea. Don't blame her, she just..."

Before she could finish, she fainted completely.

Matthew lifted his head, suppressing anger in his eyes. "Stubborn girl! Lauren, how long will you cling to those filthy thoughts before you let them go?"

Lauren shook her head frantically. "That's not true, Matthew. I really don't like you anymore, and I wasn't the one who pushed her."

"Do you even know how to speak the truth? Just wait and see!"

Matthew refused to listen further. Carrying Jennifer in his arms, he quickly left the deck and rushed her to the hospital.

Lauren remained rooted where she stood, feeling as though her heart had been ripped out of her chest.

Staring at his retreating figure, she murmured the words she had already whispered to herself tens of thousands of times.

"Matthew Moore, I really don't like you anymore."

That night, Lauren sat alone on the sofa, waiting quietly.

She knew his words meant he would come to punish her.

During those years at Rosewood, she had long since learned that running or begging for mercy only doubled the pain.

So she obediently waited for his punishment.

She didn't know how much time had passed when the front door suddenly slammed open.

Matthew stormed in. "On your knees!"

Lauren immediately knelt on the ground, lowering her head without saying a word.

Matthew froze for a moment, seemingly surprised at her obedience.

He pulled a whip from the wall and walked toward her step by step. "Now you choose to obey? Too late! Lauren, have I spoiled you so much that you've become lawless? Do you even remember this whip?"

With that, the whip lashed down hard across her back!

Lauren's body trembled violently as if struck by lightning, yet she uttered not a sound, as though the whip had fallen on someone else entirely.

"Speak!" Matthew's voice rose with suppressed fury. "Do you even know your mistakes?"

"Yes, I do."

"You do?" Matthew sneered, raising the whip again. "If you do, why did you do it in the first place?"

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The whip landed again and again on Lauren's back, each strike carrying Matthew's barely contained anger.

The first time...

"Why did you push Jennifer into the sea? Do you realize she almost died?"

The second time...

"Why do you insist on seducing me? Do you realize I'm ten years older than you?"

The third time...

"Why are you so shameless? Do you realize I raised you from childhood?"

***

The fifty-second time...

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

Blinded by rage, Matthew lashed out again and again. Words nearly slipped from his mouth, but just as they halted on his lips, a servant rushed forward in tears.

"Sir, please, stop! Lauren has been pampered since childhood! She can't take this!

"Look at her, she's bleeding everywhere!"

Only then did Matthew stop.

Looking down, he saw Lauren's back covered in blood, a pool already spreading on the floor, even seeping into his leather shoes.

What shocked him most was that from beginning to end, Lauren had kept her head bowed. She didn't shed a single tear or beg for mercy.

He suddenly grabbed her up, only to find her eyes hollow and numb.

"Lauren, can't you cry out in pain? Weren't you always the best at acting spoiled and calling out when it hurt?"

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

The punishments at Rosewood Finishing School and the beatings she endured there hurt far worse than this.

Then, her voice hoarse and her face pale, she asked, "Are you done? If you're done, can I leave now, Matthew?"

At last, Matthew realized something was wrong. "How could it not hurt? After so many lashes, how could it not hurt?"

He tore open her clothes. A gasp escaped the servant behind them.

Matthew's pupils contracted sharply, his breath catching in his throat!

Lauren's back was covered in scars, fresh whip marks mingling with old wounds.

Her back barely had any intact parts left. Every inch of flesh silently told the story of the pain she had endured.

Matthew stood before her, the whip in his hand slipping to the ground with a sharp crack.

His face instantly turned pale, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

His trembling fingers reached toward her back, but he dared not touch the scars, as if afraid of hurting her.

"You... how come your back...?" His voice was hoarse, carrying both suppressed anger and great pain.

Lauren lowered her head, the corners of her lips curling into a bitter smile.

Had he finally realized it? That the so-called Rosewood Finishing School was nothing more than hell itself?

But even if he had realized, so what?

Could the bright, smiling little princess she once was ever come back?

No, never.

She was just about to speak when Jennifer's voice came from behind, gentle yet tinged with helplessness. "Lauren, I didn't even hold you accountable for pushing me into the sea. Why must you use tricks like this to deceive Matthew?"

Matthew's expression changed at once, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "These... are fake?"

Jennifer let out a light laugh, her tone casual. "Of course. Didn't you say Lauren has been at Rosewood these past three years? That's the most reputable school in Boston. Since she never leaves campus, how could she have such injuries? Don't be fooled, Matthew."

Relief instantly washed over him, only to be replaced by burning fury.

He hurled the whip to the ground with force, his voice as cold as ice. "Lauren, how dare you!? No food for you today!"

Lauren only nodded, her face utterly expressionless.

After all, at Rosewood Finishing School, going without food had long been routine.

Sometimes, when she was starving, she even had to fight dogs for scraps.

She answered softly, "Alright."

Then she turned around and walked into the room, her thin figure stubborn yet fragile.

Inside, Mary, who had cared for her for years, came in carrying ointment.

When she saw the scars on Lauren's back, tears welled up at once.

"Ms. Blaese, why didn't you explain? How could these scars be fake? Weren't you studying at that school? How could you be hurt like this? Why didn't you tell Mr. Moore? He cares for you so much. If he knew, he'd be heartbroken!"

Lauren lowered her gaze, her eyes empty.

Mary's words pierced her heart like a knife.

Would he really feel heartache? Perhaps once, long ago.

Back then, Matthew truly adored her. When a boy once tried to woo her with a love letter, boasting that dating him meant rides in a sports car.

After finding out about it, Matthew immediately filled an entire garage with luxury cars worth millions, letting her smash them at will. "The little girl I raised can't be lured away by some ordinary man."

When she had a fever, he canceled vital meetings overseas, endured over ten hours of flight, and rushed home to sit by her bedside all night until her fever broke.

When she suffered from menstrual pain, he would personally cook for her, coaxing her softly as he fed her spoon by spoon. "Lauren, be good. Once you take this, the pain will go away."

Tears welled at the corners of Lauren's eyes. She slowly closed them and whispered, "Mary, I'm tired. I want to sleep."

Mary wiped her tears, gently tucking the blanket over her, her voice choked. "Then rest well."

Lauren nodded, slowly lying down. Tears slid from her eyes, soaking into the pillow.

Her thoughts drifted as she gradually fell asleep.

In her dreams, she returned to the past.

Matthew held her hand, took her to the amusement park, bought her ice cream, and accompanied her on the carousel.

His smile was gentle and doting, as though she were his whole world.

But all that was too far away.

All of it was already in the past.

Lauren spent the entire day resting her injuries in her room, yet the whip marks on her back still burned with pain.

But she had long grown accustomed to such pain.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Jennifer walked in holding an elegant gown.

"Lauren, today is Matthew's birthday. I've arranged a banquet for him. Come with me to attend, won't you?"

Lauren shook her head. "I won't go. You can go without me."

Jennifer's smile stiffened slightly, her tone laced with threat. "Lauren, you'd better be obedient."

At those words, Lauren's body jolted, her gaze instantly becoming vacant.

It was as if some invisible force had seized her. She nodded mechanically, reached out to take the gown, and turned to change.

Watching her figure, Jennifer smiled a triumphant smile.

She had already discovered that whenever she told Lauren, "You'd better be obedient," the girl would submit like she had been placed under a spell, without the slightest resistance.

Could this habit have been instilled at Rosewood Finishing School?

But wasn't that school supposed to teach proper moral conduct? How come?

Before she could think it through, Lauren had already changed into the gown and stepped out.

Jennifer gave her a once-over and nodded with satisfaction. "Let's go. The banquet is about to begin."

The hall glittered with dazzling lights and was crowded with guests.

Lauren trailed behind Jennifer with her head bowed, like a lifeless puppet.

Her appearance immediately sparked whispers.

"Isn't that the little girl Mr. Moore raised so preciously? Why does she look so frail and so lifeless?"

"Yes. Back in the day, my son even had a crush on her. He said she was the brightest girl in school, adored by every boy. But now... She looks like nothing more than a doll."

"Standing beside Mr. Moore's fiancée, she's utterly overshadowed."

"Ms. Wilson and Mr. Moore truly are the perfect couple."

Lauren ignored the gossip, silently following Jennifer.

Jennifer, however, smiled as she walked up to Matthew, slipping her hand into his arm. "Matthew, so many people say we're a perfect match."

Matthew returned a faint smile, his tone gentle. "They're just telling the truth."

When it was time to present gifts, Jennifer took out a delicate box, her voice tinged with shyness. "You already have everything. So this time, I've prepared a conception plan for you. We're getting married soon. I want one boy and one girl after the wedding. What do you think?"

Matthew paused, his eyes instinctively flicking to Lauren before quickly shifting back. Then he answered indulgently, "Whatever you say, I'll go along with it."

Jennifer leaned sweetly into his embrace and then turned her gaze to Lauren. "Lauren, what gift have you prepared?"

Lauren lowered her eyes, drew a box from her bag, and handed it to Matthew.

He opened it to find a translucent jade bracelet inside.

Jennifer glanced at it, her tone dismissive. "Oh, a bracelet? Matthew doesn't wear those. What an unthoughtful gift!"

Lauren said nothing, only lifting her gaze toward Matthew.

Sure enough, she saw the shock in his eyes.

Only the two of them knew the truth. That bracelet was the Moore family heirloom, reserved for the future mistress of the family.

Years ago, Lauren had wheedled until she obtained it. Thinking she only fancied it for its beauty, Matthew had indulged her and gifted it to her.

And now, she was returning it.

Lauren said softly, "Matthew, I wish you happiness."

Matthew's heart clenched violently. Just as he was about to speak, a sharp scream cut through the hall.

He looked up to see the grand chandelier in the center of the room swaying precariously. It was falling, aimed directly at where Lauren stood.

"Lauren, watch out!"

Matthew's pupils contracted sharply. At the moment the chandelier came crashing down, he lunged forward without hesitation, pulling Lauren into his arms.

The chandelier slammed into his shoulder with a dull thud.

Shards exploded everywhere, and the room erupted into chaos as guests screamed and fled.

Jennifer rushed over in tears, her voice trembling. "Matthew, are you hurt? Does it hurt? Let's get you to the hospital!"

But Matthew, staring at the trembling Lauren in his embrace, forced his voice steady. "No need. Just a scratch."

Jennifer, however, insisted. "No, you have to go to the hospital!"

Thus, Matthew could only let his assistant drive him there.

At the same time, he instructed Jennifer. "Jennifer, take Lauren home. She'll be scared if she's alone."

Jennifer's face instantly darkened. "At a time like this, you still care about her?"

"Do as I say." Matthew's face was pale with pain. "After all, I raised her from childhood."

Jennifer bit down hard on her lip, then grabbed Lauren's wrist resentfully and dragged her into the car.

Lauren's mind almost went blank, and she followed Jennifer mechanically.

But halfway there, Jennifer suddenly ordered the driver to stop. Grinding her teeth, she glared at Lauren. "I've got other things to do. I'm not going home. Walk back yourself."

The driver hesitated, trying to intervene. "Ms. Wilson, it's freezing outside..."

Jennifer cut him off sharply. "And who is the future mistress of the Moore family, she or me? You don't even know who to listen to?"

The driver fell silent, forced to watch as Lauren was left on the roadside, walking alone into the endless dark.

Lauren walked for five whole hours before finally reaching the Moore villa.

Along the way, the darkness made her stumble into a water-filled ditch. By the time she got back, her clothes were soaked through, her hair plastered to her face, and she looked utterly wretched.

But before she could even catch her breath, she froze. The entire villa was engulfed in flames, the fire lighting up the night sky.

She stood stunned, unable to react, when several bodyguards rushed over and seized her wrist. "Ms. Blaese, you set the fire. Ms. Wilson has third-degree burns and is undergoing emergency treatment. Mr. Moore ordered us to bring you to the hospital."

Lauren stood dumbstruck, shaking her head in bewilderment. "I didn't..."

The bodyguards ignored her protests and dragged her into the car, straight to the hospital.

There, Matthew stood in the corridor, his injured shoulder wrapped in gauze. Holding a black suit jacket in his left hand, his tall figure leaned against the wall.

When he saw Lauren brought in, he lifted his eyes coldly, his voice taut with suppressed fury. "Lauren, can you not live a single day without causing trouble? What did Jennifer ever do to you that you had to set a fire and burn her like this?"

Lauren shook her head frantically. "It wasn't me. I didn't..."

Matthew cut her off sharply, his tone icy. "Enough! The evidence is irrefutable. If it wasn't you, what then? Did Wilson deliberately set herself on fire just to frame you?"

She was about to explain further when suddenly the operating room doors burst open.

A doctor hurried out, his voice grave. "Mr. Moore, Ms. Wilson's injuries are severe. Skin grafting is the only option. Before she lost consciousness, she left you a message saying that you've spoiled Ms. Blaese too much. This cannot go on. This time, the price of her injuries must be repaid by Ms. Blaese herself."

At those words, everyone understood.

Jennifer wanted Lauren's skin.

Matthew's body went rigid, his gaze falling on Lauren, hesitation and conflict flickering in his eyes.

His fingers trembled slightly, as though something had seized his heart and squeezed so hard that he could barely breathe.

He opened his mouth, as if to speak, but at the last second, the words caught in his throat and were forced back down.

Seeing this, the doctor urged anxiously, "Mr. Moore, Ms. Wilson has already fainted from the pain. Every second you delay increases the risk of permanent scarring. You must decide quickly."

Matthew's face turned pale in an instant, as though cornered with no way out.

He drew in a deep breath and finally said in a low voice, "Lauren, ever since you were young, I've taught you that mistakes must be punished."

The words struck Lauren like a thunderbolt, her chest aching as though something had shattered inside.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.

She wanted to cry, but not a single tear would fall.

Perhaps at Rosewood Finishing School, she had already shed them all.

With a numb expression, she was pushed into the operating room, her body like an empty shell without a soul.

The moment the door closed, Jennifer, who had been "unconscious from pain," suddenly sat up on the bed. A triumphant smile curled her lips. There was not the slightest trace of injury on her.

She looked at the doctor with a chilling smile. "Go ahead. And remember. No anesthesia. Cut her skin off piece by piece."

The doctors and nurses exchanged uneasy glances but dared not defy her orders.

Several nurses stepped forward, pinning Lauren's limbs firmly against the operating table.

Lauren did not struggle. She simply lay there quietly, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The moment the scalpel sliced her skin, a searing pain ripped through her body.

Her body trembled instinctively, but she clenched her teeth and did not make a sound.

The blade carved inch by inch, blood flowing down the wounds, staining the surgical table red.

Her fingers gripped the edge of the bed so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her nails digging into her flesh. Yet still, she uttered not a sound.

Jennifer stood nearby, watching with cruel amusement, her eyes full of mockery and pride.

With a light laugh, she said, "Lauren, you really are a monster. Even now, not a single cry."

Lauren did not respond. She only clenched her jaw harder, enduring the agony of every cut.

The knife continued its merciless path across her skin, stripping piece after piece away.

Her consciousness began to blur, the world around her dimming.

In the operating room, only the cold ticking of the machines and Jennifer's smug laughter remained.

"Later, throw it out. Feed it to the dogs."

Lauren's mind could no longer hold on. Darkness swallowed her completely.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying in a hospital bed, her arm wrapped in thick gauze that throbbed with pain at the slightest touch.

The ward was deathly quiet, broken only by the ticking of machines and the occasional whisper of passing nurses.

"Mr. Moore is so good to Ms. Wilson. He comes every day to keep her company, even feeding her himself."

"Yes, I heard they're getting married tomorrow. Such a perfect match."

"And that girl, Lauren... Wasn't she the one Mr. Moore used to keep like a little treasure? He used to spoil her so much, but now he doesn't even care. Poor thing."

Lauren stayed silent from beginning to end. She listened quietly and then began counting down the days until she could leave.

On the day of her discharge, Matthew came to pick up both her and Jennifer.

Jennifer looped her arm through Lauren's, speaking in a falsely affectionate tone. "Lauren, tomorrow is Matthew's and my wedding. Although setting that fire was truly reckless of you, I don't want to hold a grudge. Let's call it even, shall we?"

Lauren said nothing. She only lowered her head, her eyes empty.

Matthew frowned, displeasure edging his voice. "Didn't you hear her talking to you?"

Still, Lauren remained silent, as though she no longer had the strength to respond.

Matthew's chest tightened with restrained anger, and the atmosphere inside the car grew suffocating.

Halfway through the drive, a call came from the hotel staff, their voice respectful. "Mr. Moore, there's been an issue with the wedding setup. Could you come take a look?"

Since he feared Lauren might cause trouble during the wedding, just as she had when she pushed Jennifer into the sea, he had the venue moved to a hotel this time.

Matthew frowned and then turned the car toward the hotel.

Upon arrival, he asked the staff member, "What's the problem?"

The staff member bowed slightly. "Mr. Moore, please follow me, I'll show you."

Matthew nodded and then turned to Jennifer and Lauren. "You two go to the room and rest. I'll join you once I've sorted this out."

Jennifer nodded with a smile and pulled Lauren into the hotel room.

Inside, Jennifer sat on the sofa, her tone laced with mockery.

"Lauren, I really admire you. We're getting married tomorrow, and you still refuse to leave?"

Lauren replied calmly, "I will leave."

Jennifer let out a cold laugh, her tone full of disdain. "You will leave? Do you think I believe that? If you really intended to go, you would have done so long ago. The only reason you're still here is because you're foolish enough to think Matthew could ever love you. Let me tell you. That's impossible!

"Matthew is my fiancé now. The one he loves is me! To him, you're nothing but a useless burden.

"Since you don't listen, don't blame me for being ruthless."

At that, she clapped her hands. The door swung open, and a gang of beggars rushed inside.

Jennifer tore open her own clothes, mussed her hair, and then yanked the door wide, crying out in a pitiful wail.

"Help! Matthew, help me!"

Matthew had just finished his business and was on his way to find them. Hearing her scream, he rushed in at once.

Jennifer, tear-streaked and trembling, threw herself into his arms as though terrified beyond reason. "Matthew, Lauren brought in a gang of beggars to assault me! She hates me! She wants to destroy me!"

Matthew looked at Lauren in disbelief, rage igniting in his chest like wildfire, ready to consume the entire room.

"Lauren, you really are vicious!"

Lauren opened her mouth to explain, but Matthew refused to listen.

Coldly, he spat, "Since you enjoy the feeling of being humiliated so much, then spend the night here!"

With that, he swept Jennifer into his arms and strode away without sparing Lauren a single glance.

Lauren's pupils contracted sharply, her blood freezing in her veins.

Memories of Rosewood surged through her mind.

The dark cell, the whip, the twisted grins of those men...

Her body began trembling uncontrollably, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Matthew! Please, save me! Please! Don't leave me here!"

She lunged forward, trying to grab the hem of Matthew's coat, but the moment her fingers brushed the fabric, he coldly shook her off.

Collapsing to her knees, she banged her head against the floor again and again, the dull thuds echoing through the room.

"I was wrong! I truly was wrong! Please, don't leave me here! Uncle Matthew, please save me..."

"I can't be left alone with these men. I'll go mad! I really will!"

Her desperate screams rang out, tears mingling with the blood streaming from her forehead, staining the floor crimson.

Since bringing her back from Rosewood Finishing School, this was the first time he had ever seen her break down so completely.

Matthew halted, but in the end, he did not turn back.

Jennifer nestled against Matthew's chest and asked softly, "Nothing will happen, right?"

Matthew let out a cold laugh. "She brought those people herself. What could possibly happen?"

He paused, tilting his head to listen. When he heard no sound of struggle from inside the room, he finally felt reassured and walked away.

But he didn't know that Lauren had fallen silent because the beggars had already pounced on her.

She had been trained for years at Rosewood Finishing School. No matter how many men moved over her, she was never allowed to scream. Otherwise, harsher beatings would follow.

Those beggars' hands coiled around her like venomous snakes, tearing at her clothes, trampling her dignity.

Her body was like a doll, tossed all around.

Her fingers dug into the sheets, knuckles turning white, yet she didn't make a single sound.

In her mind, Matthew's words echoed relentlessly. "She brought those people herself. What could possibly happen?"

Her heart felt as though it were being squeezed, the pain nearly suffocating her.

That night, Lauren was violated again and again.

Her body felt torn apart, blood soaking into the sheets.

Her hollow eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as countless filthy men took their turns.

By dawn, the beggars finally fastened their pants, satisfied, and filed out of the room.

Lauren curled up on the floor, like a discarded doll.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she numbly forced herself to her feet and staggered out of the room.

The moment she stepped into the corridor, gasps of shock rose around her.

"What happened to her? Why isn't she wearing any clothes?"

"Oh my God! What's that... her... her intestines are out..."

Lauren walked forward in a daze, as if none of it had anything to do with her.

Just then, a flight reminder popped up on her phone, urging her to board.

Today was supposed to be the day she escaped. It was supposed to be the day she began a new life.

So close.

She had wanted so badly to live. Even during the years at Rosewood Finishing School, she had never given up hope.

But now, her body and soul had been utterly destroyed.

Staring at the message, she finally shed tears.

She couldn't leave. Not anymore.

The man she loved most, Matthew Moore, had personally shoved her into hell, again and again.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Matthew.

The moment she answered, his scolding voice lashed out. "What's wrong with you? Out all night and still pretending? You found those men yourself. What could they do to you?"

Lauren lowered her gaze to the wounds carved into her skin, her heart barren and lifeless.

What could they do to her?

When she was about to start a new life, she had instead been violated for an entire night.

The agony replayed in her mind, interwoven with the horrors of Rosewood Finishing School. Those were images she would never escape.

They had destroyed her completely.

Matthew went on coldly, "You've made enough trouble. Today is my wedding day with Jennifer. Show up on time and don't pull any stunts. I told you that things would never work out between us. Seeing the ceremony with your own eyes will finally make you give up."

At last, Lauren spoke, her voice hoarse yet calm. "Alright, Matthew. I'll make sure you see me."

She ended the call, pressed the elevator button, and rode up to the hotel rooftop.

Matthew hung up, but for some reason, unease gnawed at him.

He was just about to call her again when the wedding car pulled up at the hotel entrance.

A deafening crash split the air...

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

Screams of terror erupted all around. Matthew slowly lifted his gaze, his pupils shrinking violently.

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

Her features were drenched in blood, her eyes wide open in death.