Chapter 1

The day Evelina finally became the Harrington family heir as she had always wished.

I was imprisoned in the basement by her sister Scarlett, beaten black and blue.

Scarlett pinned me against the wall, choking me, while she called to threaten her:

"Give up your inheritance now, and I'll return your little childhood sweetheart to you. Otherwise, I'll let him die."

The suffocation was so intense that I couldn't help but plead, "Evelina, call... call the police!"

Before I could finish, I was cut off by the ice-cold voice on the other end: "What makes you think I'd want someone you've used up? Better not let him die too quickly, I should thank you."

She hung up the phone without a shred of mercy.

What awaited me was four hours of brutal beating and violation.

Before losing consciousness, Scarlett had me pressed against the TV.

On the screen, Evelina was tenderly kissing the handsome man beside her, thanking him for his companionship and support.

She didn't know that the one who saved her life and helped her become the heir wasn't him.

It was me.

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The day that Evelina finally achieved her dream of becoming the Harrington family heir.

The entire city broadcasted this grand celebration live.

Her half-sister Scarlett was furious, bursting into the mansion and smashing things everywhere.

"You bitch, you think that bastard will remember you now that she's in power? First you seduced me, and now you want to cozy up to her because she's successful?"

I huddled in the corner, carefully averting my gaze from her triumphant image on the television.

I was no longer her lover, but her sister's - Scarlett's paramour.

Evelina was the Harrington family's illegitimate daughter, and Scarlett hated her to the bone.

Her eyes were full of murderous intent and viciousness.

She gripped my neck, slowly tightening her hold, relishing my helpless struggle as she dialed a number:

"If you give up your position as heir right now, your little childhood sweetheart might have a chance to live."

I struggled desperately, but it was futile.

My bones were nearly crushed, pain and suffocation intermingling.

Even though I knew what Evelina's answer would be, I still clung to a sliver of hope deep down.

In the suffocating moments near death, I finally heard that cold, icy voice:

"It's none of my concern."

Then the phone was hung up without mercy.

Scarlett suddenly released her grip.

I fell to the ground, clutching my throat and coughing frantically, desperately gasping for air.

Her palm struck me, sending me sprawling, stars dancing before my eyes as the taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Oh right, I forgot," Scarlett crouched down, staring at me with a mocking smile curling her lips, "In that bastard's eyes, you're nothing but a fair-weather friend who betrayed her. Whoever's got the money, that's who you love."

I didn't speak, turning my head away, unwilling to look at her.

Scarlett suddenly flew into a rage.

She beat and kicked me like a madwoman until I was battered and bruised, too weak even to cry out.

My lower body had completely lost sensation.

I felt the life draining from my body.

As consciousness faded, the TV screen became blurry.

I blinked hard, struggling to make out the images.

As tears streamed down, Evelina's face came into focus.

She was passionately kissing the handsome man beside her.

Announcing the merger of the Harrington and Sterling families before a crowd of reporters.