Chapter 4

He smiled with satisfaction. "Xanthe, if only you had been this obedient from the start."

"As long as you don't target Scarlett, I'll find you the most expensive postnatal care center and childcare team."

He casually tossed me a reward through the gaps in his fingers, like training an obedient puppy.

That night, upon returning to the family mansion, Nolan walked through the grand entrance with his arm around Scarlett's waist.

In the ballroom, the previously chattering guests all scrutinized me.

"Is that the unwanted Mrs. Sterling I've heard about?"

"She looks like a real homewrecker. Back in the day, she took advantage of Mr. Sterling's broken leg to climb into his bed. Now she's getting what she deserves!"

"This Mrs. Sterling had her private videos flying all over the internet not long ago. She's been living it up out there. Mr. Sterling is being generous by not kicking her to the curb."

"Now that Mr. Sterling has found true love, she should take the hint and scram."

I felt as if I'd been stripped naked, standing under a spotlight, enduring the harsh judgments and humiliation from everyone around me.

Nolan mingled with other executives, drink in hand,

while Scarlett sashayed towards me in the corner.

"Xanthe, if I were as embarrassed as you, I'd have offed myself already."

"Your skin must be thick as iron. Is it the Sterling family money you can't let go of?"

Seeing I wasn't taking the bait, she curved her red lips into a smirk.

"I should burn your sex tape and send it to your parents six feet under. Let them see how trashy their daughter really is!"

She could insult me all she wanted, but my parents were off-limits!

I couldn't hold back anymore and slapped her pretty face.

"Do your parents know you're a homewrecker playing mistress?"

Scarlett was stunned by my retaliation, holding her cheek in shock.

Seconds later, she burst into tears, "Xanthe, Mr. Sterling only took care of me out of pity. You're his wife, why be mad at little old me?"

"I know you can't stand the sight of me. I'll leave right now."

She stumbled away in her high heels, with Nolan rushing after her.

He comforted her in his arms while glaring daggers at me.

"Xanthe, you make me sick!"

He had barely finished speaking when Nolan's mother, her face cold, summoned us all to the study.

"Today is my birthday. Are you all making such a commotion because you don't respect me?"

Scarlett shrank back in fear, hiding herself completely in Nolan's embrace.

Glaring at me, she accused harshly, "Mom, it's all Xanthe's fault for being inconsiderate!"

"Pregnant and still not acting like a mother at all, slapping Scarlett in public. I think it's time she was taught a good lesson!"

Nolan's mother glanced at my unperturbed expression and sighed in exasperation.

She raised an eyebrow at Scarlett and sneered coldly.

"You bring this vixen home and think you can fool me?"

"That thing in your arms certainly knows how to entice men, looking all pitiful and helpless. But in the end, she's just a filthy whore who sells her body!"

It was the first time Nolan's mother had used such crude language.

I knew she was venting her anger on behalf of me and my lost child.

She couldn't bear to scold Nolan, so she unleashed all her fury on Scarlett.

But none of this mattered to me anymore.

That night when we got home, to get revenge for Scarlett.Nolan actually tied me to the back of his car and dragged me along!

He looked at my panicked expression and said in a deep voice:

"It's because you tattled to Mom that Scarlett got scolded and cried."

"Xanthe, you brought this on yourself. You deserve to be taught a lesson."

Ignoring my struggles, he tied up my limbs and attached me to the back of the car.

My flesh and blood stained the rough ground.

The pain almost made me faint, but the dragging kept me forcibly awake.

My exposed skin was covered in mud, my clothes torn to shreds.

There wasn't an uninjured spot left on my body. The sight of my mangled flesh was especially chilling.