Chapter 2

"Adeline, you have a visitor," the instructor's voice reached my ears.

I shivered.

Sigh, another visitor.

Students in the etiquette class cannot refuse to see guests.

Acting on a whim can lead to severe punishment.

Here, I learned two words: obey.

The instructor said that only by learning obedience could I have a chance to leave.

I walked to the guest room with my head down.

What I saw was a group of familiar faces.

My husband Nolan, his friends, and his first love, Fiona.

After six months of training, my mind had become somewhat numb.

Following the instructor’s usual teachings, I bowed deeply upon entering.

Then I served tea to each person, meticulously holding it with both hands.

Nolan nodded with satisfaction, "The etiquette class has quite a reputation. You're much more sensible now than before."

"If I’d known it was this effective, I would have sent you earlier."

I responded meekly, "You're right, Mr. Gu."

Hearing me address him as Mr. Gu, Nolan frowned.

He said coldly, "Even though Fiona doesn’t mind what happened between you and her, you can’t just act like it didn’t happen."

"I’ve transferred half of the company shares that belonged to you and our daughter to Fiona. It's compensation for her."

I kept silent with my head down.

Nolan shouted in frustration, "Adeline! Don’t you think you should apologize to Fiona?"

His scolding frightened me into kneeling instinctively in front of Fiona, "Miss Su, I'm sorry, I was wrong."

Bang, bang, bang! I kowtowed to Fiona.

In the etiquette class, this is how it works; don't question right or wrong. When scolded, you must kowtow and admit fault.

Only by admitting fault quickly enough can you avoid punishment.

This has become my instinct.

Nolan roughly pulled me away, "Adeline, what are you doing?"

I was so scared, my face turned pale, and my body shook uncontrollably.

Nolan released my hand and said, "Adeline, what's wrong with you? I’m your husband; why do you look so scared? Why do you look at me like I'm a stranger?"

Fiona said somewhat aggrievedly, "Sister Adeline must still blame me, so she’s mocking us on purpose."

"Actually, there’s no need to apologize. Sister Adeline hitting me twice isn’t a big deal."

Nolan looked at Fiona with concern, then angrily scolded me, "Adeline, you’re incorrigible. It seems I shouldn’t have picked you up today. You should study for another six months."

I panicked.

All I dreamed of was leaving this nightmare. If I stayed another six months, I’d go crazy.

I knelt on the ground, pleading with Nolan, "Mr. Gu, I was really wrong, please forgive me."

I kowtowed to Nolan, then to Fiona, "Miss Su, I won’t dare anymore, I’ll listen to you from now on."

Nolan got even angrier and kicked me hard, "Adeline, are you putting on this degrading act to disgust me?"

"I just sent you to an etiquette class, is that so unreasonable?"

I curled up on the ground, crying out, "Don’t hit me, don’t hit me, I’ll do anything."

Nolan was startled.

He grabbed my wrist, "Adeline, are you often beaten here?"

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