Chapter 1

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The night I learned of my sister’s death, I had just received my acceptance letter to Northwood University.

Moments later, I found a disturbing video of her online.

I didn't recognize the men who violated her.

But I knew the man behind them, the one barking orders to everyone – Damon Blackwood, the most powerful man in this city.

He was infamously volatile.

This time, simply because my sister had stained his shoes, he ordered men to assault her and then released the humiliating video across every platform.

By the time I rushed to the scene, Skylar's body was laid out on a table in a private lounge.

Silently, I collected my sister’s remains, then tore up the acceptance letter I'd just received.

Instead, I applied to Eastwood University, the prestigious institution Seraphina Thorne, the city's most powerful young heir's beloved, had attended.

Damon Blackwood, I'm going to make you feel this searing pain, too.

***

The party wound down, and without a sound, midnight arrived.

I carried a tipsy Seraphina Thorne to the presidential suite reserved for her.

The woman in my arms had clearly had too much to drink for the evening's networking; a faint flush colored her pale face.

A subtle scent of alcohol clung to her, making her frown slightly even in her sleep.

I smoothly swiped the key card to open the door, then reached into Seraphina’s pocket for her phone. I dialed the number marked with a heart.

When the call connected, I deliberately let Seraphina make a soft sound.

Just as I expected, the man on the other end instantly ignited.

“Seraphina? Where are you?”

“Can you hear me?”

“Is there a man with you? Seraphina!”

Before his anger could fully erupt, I smiled and hung up.

It was an open secret among the city's elite: Damon Blackwood adored Seraphina Thorne to his very core.

From childhood, any man who came close to Seraphina was either threatened away by Damon or subtly driven off by his machinations.

Because of this, even though Seraphina had become the CEO of Thorne Enterprises, she was still surprisingly naive when it came to matters of the heart.

He loved her too much, which made him riddled with anxiety and possessiveness.

If he ever truly lost her, he would undoubtedly spiral into madness.

And that was precisely my goal.

Planting the seeds of doubt in Damon's mind was just the first step. I figured he'd be storming over here any minute, fueled by rage.

I smirked, tossed her phone aside, and walked into the bathroom, ruffling my hair.

After taking off my suit jacket, I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt.

I splashed water on my face a few times.

Finally, I pulled all the bathroom towels onto the floor, surveying the chaotic mess. I dampened one towel and returned to the bed.

The woman on the bed wasn't sleeping peacefully. The moment I leaned closer, she grabbed my wrist.

I chuckled softly, not struggling, but instead switched hands, using the wet towel to wipe her face.

It was no wonder Damon felt so threatened.

But what I wanted wasn't anything so crude.

My gaze hardened, and I deliberately pressed harder with the towel.

A red mark immediately appeared on her neck.

She furrowed her delicate brows, then opened her eyes.

Seeing my face, her previously hazy eyes sharpened.

“What are you doing? Get away from me!”

I had already composed my expression the moment her eyes opened.

I shook my wrist with a hint of helplessness.

“Ms. Thorne, you drank too much. I'm new to the company and didn't know your home address, so I could only bring you to the executive lounge reserved for you.”

“You kept complaining about the strong smell of alcohol while you were drunk, and you tried to struggle into the bathroom to wash up. I had no choice but to use a wet towel to wipe your face, but I didn't expect you to grab my wrist the moment I got close.”

As I spoke, I gestured towards the chaotic bathroom.

Seeing my disheveled clothes and the mess on the bathroom floor, Seraphina looked embarrassed and slowly let go of my hand.

Seraphina rubbed her throbbing temples; the feeling of being drunk was truly unpleasant.

She casually picked up her phone and transferred ten thousand dollars to me.

“Take this, then leave.”

When I saw the money in my account, my smile widened.

Who doesn't love money? Especially money from Seraphina Thorne.

Though not a huge sum, if used well, it would be enough to drive Damon Blackwood wild.

I accepted the money, then obediently closed the door and left.

But a moment later, I pushed the door open again and re-entered.

“Ms. Thorne, here's some honey water.”

Seraphina paused, a thoughtful look entering her eyes as she regarded me.

Of course, I knew this might make Seraphina question me, but how could I leave before the real show began?

Calculating the time, Damon should be arriving soon.

“Ms. Thorne, honey water can help with a hangover and ease a headache.”

Seraphina slightly raised an eyebrow. She took the honey water from my hand, took a sip, and was about to say something when she was interrupted by urgent knocking at the door.

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