Chapter 7

Crystal POV

I hugged the blanket, curled up on the couch in the outer room. The inner room door was tightly shut.

That night, I slept restlessly. My dreams were filled with old memories of Damian and me.

Back then, he was still a rebellious rich kid. To pursue me, he'd once arranged 999 roses beneath my apartment, getting chased by security guards.

Later, when his family faced trouble, his father became critically ill, and there was internal strife within the family for control. He was pushed to the brink, almost facing prison.

That evidence of money laundering?

I had forged it myself, and I had personally handed it to Marcus, his sworn enemy.

Everyone thought I had betrayed him.

Only I knew that if that evidence wasn't handed over, the true black ledger would be exposed.

Damian would not only lose everything but also face massive debts and prison time. And Marcus had promised me that if I did this, he would spare Damian's life and give me money to save my brother.

I had no choice.

I had to be the bad guy. I had to be the greedy, treacherous woman.

When the plane landed, it was early morning in London.Misty, cold, and damp.

I packed my things, ready to disembark and leave.

This trip was over. It was time for me to get out.

Just as I reached the cabin door, the pilot stopped me.

"Crystal, please wait." The pilot looked serious, handing me a document.

"What's this?" I had a bad feeling.

"This is your new contract," the pilot explained. "The management company for this aircraft was acquired by Damian's company yesterday. Damian specifically requested you as his personal flight attendant and butler."

I glanced at the contract.

Term: Lifelong.

Penalty for breach: Ten million.

It was practically an indentured servitude contract.

"I won't sign it." I pushed the contract back. "I'm resigning."

"You can resign." Damian's cold voice came from behind me. He descended the air stairs, coat on, followed by the ever-present Tiffany. "You can resign, but first, pay the ten million breach penalty."

He walked up to me, looking down. "Can't afford it?Then behave yourself."

"From today, you are Damian's dog."

"Bite whoever I tell you to, and when I tell you to kneel, you don't stand."

Tiffany chuckled, covering her mouth. "Damian, you're too mean! How can you say that about Crystal? She's your old flame, after all."

"You think you're worthy of mentioning the word 'flame'?" Damian shot her a cold glance, scaring Tiffany into immediate silence.

He turned back to me, his eyes glinting with a perverse playfulness.

"Get in the car, Crystal."

I didn't know where he was taking me, but the look in his eyes triggered a primal fear in me.