Chapter 1

The desire of a 30-year-old man was blunt and unfiltered.

Avery Sawyer felt as though her body had fallen apart. Consumed by overwhelming lust, she was unable to breathe properly.

"Starting tomorrow, don't schedule anything for me for a week. I'll be on vacation. Book two tickets to Mavrelle," Marcus said as he stood by the bed, getting dressed.

Avery moved numbly, a trace of joy flashing in her eyes. "Marcus, you're taking me on vacation?"

Marcus Lowell paused and frowned slightly as he looked at Avery. "I'm going with Madison."

The smile on Avery's face froze, and she lowered her head awkwardly. "Okay, Mr. Lowell..."

Seeing Avery's pale face, Marcus spoke again. "Avery, you're an orphan, and you're young. I could never marry you."

Avery looked up at Marcus and smiled bitterly. "I never hoped you would marry me. Since Ms. Harper is divorced and back in the country, should we end our relationship?"

Marcus' expression darkened. He rubbed Avery's head with forced patience and placed a card on the nightstand, coaxing her gently, "Here. You can buy whatever you want."

"Mr. Lowell, I don't want to be a mistress." Avery looked at Marcus stubbornly. It was only a matter of time before he married Madison Harper.

"It's too early to talk about that now. We'll discuss it when I actually get married. Stop throwing a tantrum. Whether we end this or not isn't up to you." Marcus was evidently growing impatient.

After saying that, he glanced at Avery and left.

Even after the door closed, Avery's ears were ringing. She couldn't hear anything.

Avery was an orphan. When she entered university as a freshman, she was bullied by a rich woman—Mindy Lowell—because of her good looks. Avery was beaten deaf in one ear, had her pinky toe broken, and was nearly blinded by cigarette burns.

Someone filmed the incident and posted it online, causing a huge stir at the time.

The school had to call in the parents, and Marcus was the one who showed up for Mindy.

Marcus was Mindy's older brother.

Perhaps for the reputation of Lowell Group, or maybe out of pity, Marcus extended a helping hand to Avery, whose body was covered in injuries.

The first thing he said to her was, "Don't be afraid. I won't let anyone bully you again."

It was pathetic and disgraceful.

Avery fell in love with Marcus because, during the time she craved love the most, Marcus fulfilled all her fantasies about men and gave her a sense of security.

She had always thought Marcus was her salvation, but now it seemed that Marcus didn't love her. Be that as it may, he also refused to let her go.

…

At Lowell Group, Marcus was preparing for a meeting and to hand over his work.

Madison was waiting for him in the office.

They were about to fly to Mavrelle and spend the next seven days there together.

Avery placed a cup of coffee in front of Madison, her heart aching as if it had been sliced with a knife. "Ms. Harper, here's your coffee."

Madison glanced at Avery and smiled gently.

Madison came from a good family and was Marcus' childhood sweetheart. She was a perfect match for him.

Madison was an intellectual woman with an outstanding presence. She was a true socialite.

Though she was only sitting there, her confidence hurt Avery's eyes.

Avery knew she had lost—that she had never stood a chance.

Love stories for the ages wouldn't happen between people from different worlds.

Marcus would only use Avery to pass the time when he was bored.

After placing the coffee mug down, Avery almost fled the office in embarrassment.

She had no confidence. Whether it was her being an orphan, her poverty, or her physically abused and disabled body, every pore of her exuded inferiority.

"Mr. Lowell and Ms. Harper are going on a honeymoon? I heard they've confirmed their relationship and will go public once they return. Both families have agreed to their marriage."

In the break room, people were discussing Marcus and Madison's upcoming wedding.

While Avery was refilling hot water, the water scalded the back of her hand.

The cup dropped to the floor, and it took Avery a moment to react. She panicked and rinsed her hand under cold water.

Marcus and Madison were getting married.

That meant it was over between her and Marcus. Her internship at Lowell Group was also ending early.

"Avery, Mr. Lowell asked you to drive him and Ms. Harper to the airport at 11:00 am," informed a colleague.

Avery smiled bitterly, finding Marcus cruel.

She knew Marcus did it on purpose. He had a driver but insisted on her driving them just to make her realize her place and stop fantasizing about things that weren't real.

Honestly, Marcus and Mindy were both bullies. They just had different ways of going about it.

One would bully her physically, while the other emotionally, especially when her heart was already broken.

Taking out her phone, Avery hesitated for a long time before deciding to dial a number she had once blocked.

"Hello, Mr. Langston. You once said that if I married you, you'd help me further my studies in Ispon. Does your offer still stand?" Avery asked, voice trembling.

Maybe marriage was her only way to escape Heisenville, to escape Marcus.

On the other end, the man's low voice came through. "Think it through. Come to Bullmar Main Manor at 7:00 pm on the 13th. We'll discuss the details."

The 13th was eight days away.

Chapter 2

Avery had just ended the call when Madison said, "Excuse me."

Avery turned around nervously, looking at Madison, who was now in the break room.

She was so gentle and graceful.

Madison, just standing there and smiling, gave Avery a sense of pressure.

"M-Ms. Harper, do you need something?"

"I just remembered that I haven't bought some stuff for the trip. Could you help me get them?" Madison took out a handwritten list and handed it to Avery.

Her handwriting was as delicate and gentle as she was.

When Avery saw the word "condoms" on the paper, she spaced out and felt her heart break into pieces.

"Thank you, and please keep it a secret," Madison whispered, winking at Avery.

Avery nodded helplessly and fled the break room almost in panic.

The first time she was with Marcus, she had just turned 19. It was her birthday that day, and Marcus bought her flowers and a cake.

Growing up as an orphan, Avery had never had a birthday cake. A small cake and a bouquet of flowers were enough to capture her heart completely. She willingly gave him everything thereafter.

With a bitter smile on her face, Avery couldn't help feeling as though she were a joke.

That was why it was always better for women to have money of their own. Otherwise, all it would take was a small cake for a man to deceive them.

In the four years she'd been with Marcus, Avery had never bought condoms herself because Marcus didn't like them. He always made her take pills instead.

But he now couldn't bear to make Madison take pills. How could he when they were bad for the body?

…

On the way to the airport, Avery remained silent the entire time.

Perhaps noticing Avery's downcast mood, Marcus reminded her on purpose, "Drive faster. We're in a hurry."

"Yes, Mr. Lowell." Avery nodded. Once the light turned green, she switched on the signal before turning left.

Just as the car in front passed the intersection, a little boy suddenly dashed through a red light. Avery swerved to avoid him and crashed straight into the flowerbed in the middle of the road.

At the moment of impact, Marcus held Madison tightly in his arms. "Madison!"

Fortunately, Avery didn't drive too fast. Only the driver's side was severely damaged.

The airbag deployed during the collision. Avery was pinned tightly in her seat by the crushed frame. Her left leg was trapped at the point of impact, the pain nearly making her lose consciousness.

"Marcus, help me…" The overwhelming fear made Avery's voice tremble.

Avery was claustrophobic, and she couldn't move.

Back in her freshman year, Mindy had once locked her in a square wooden equipment box. No matter how hard she cried or pounded on it, no one came to save her.

That suffocating, immobilizing pressure made her wish she were dead.

If the janitor on duty the next day hadn't noticed the urine stain she left on the floor, she probably would've died in there that night.

Seeing Marcus about to get out of the car, Avery panicked and no longer cared whether Madison was present. "Marcus! Don't leave me."

"The rescue team and traffic police will handle it."

Marcus got out of the car while shielding Madison. He then made a call to emergency services, looking annoyed.

"Your assistant is still inside." Madison looked at Marcus suspiciously. An assistant calling the boss by his first name was unheard of.

Marcus pulled Madison into his arms and glanced at Avery—who was trapped inside the car—indifferently.

"There's no time, and it's not a serious crash. Let's take a cab to the airport. Rescue services will take care of her."

Madison nodded, giving Avery a meaningful look. But she said nothing as she walked away with Marcus.

Avery struggled while pounding on the window. But Marcus never looked back.

Avery knew that Marcus was afraid Madison would misunderstand.

As she watched Marcus walk away, she finally lost control and broke down in sobs. "Marcus, help me! You said you wouldn't leave me. You liar. Marcus, you're a liar! You said you'd protect me!"

Avery was falling apart. Her depression and manic episodes caused her to struggle uncontrollably in the cramped space.

Though she wasn't badly injured at first, her repeated self-harming behavior made it worse.

"Let me out! Let me out!" Avery shouted, pounding on the window.

The trauma from freshman year left her unable to think calmly. Soon, the acrid smell of smoke from the engine began to fill the car.

"That car's on fire!"

"Is anyone still inside? I saw the people from the car walk away."

The passersby started shouting.

Trapped in the car, Avery began counting in despair, "One, two, three, four..."

The night Mindy locked her in the wooden box, Avery counted all the way to 6,788.

She was wondering what number she would get to this time before she died.

Chapter 3

It seemed even a life deemed worthless held on, as Avery was eventually rescued.

When she woke up, it was already the next morning.

"She has a wrinkled right arm, mild concussion, multiple soft tissue contusions…"

The doctor stood by the hospital bed, looking at the awakened Avery. "Do you feel hurt anywhere else?"

Avery shook her head and picked up her phone, only to see no missed calls from Marcus.

But Marcus, who never posted on social media, surprisingly posted a photo. The picture was taken by the blue sea, and the scenery was truly beautiful.

Of course, the main subject of the photo was Madison in a long dress. She was so beautiful, even more so than the scenery behind her.

Curling up, Avery pulled the blanket over her head and cried.

She'd been with Marcus for four years, but she meant nothing to him.

…

After being discharged, Avery returned to her rental apartment. She took her medicine just before going to sleep.

Human beings were simple creatures. She slept for a whole day, and that was all it took for her to feel alive again.

Slapping on a few pain-relief patches, Avery went to work. She needed to get her internship pay.

"Did you see Mr. Lowell's post? It's so romantic? Ms. Harper truly is special. Mr. Lowell never posts anything!"

"Mr. Lowell is the perfect man. He's never been with a woman all these years, just waiting for Ms. Harper to come along."

As soon as Avery entered the office area, she heard her colleagues' gossip.

She let out a mocking laugh and sat at her desk. Marcus loved Madison, but he had been with another woman.

Avery found it hilarious. Men were probably all the same. Love and sex were totally separate things.

He loved Madison with his heart but had no problem sleeping with Avery.

"Miss, Mr. Lowell said you're not allowed to—"

There was a commotion near the elevator.

Avery looked over and froze.

Mindy was here.

"Get out of the way!" Mindy stormed in, wearing a high-end designer suit. Her heels clicked as she strutted over to Avery.

Avery was already trying to keep her head down and her neck tucked in. The trauma of being bullied in university hadn't gone away with time.

Mindy leaned in and whispered evilly, "Avery, my brother's coming back today. He and Ms. Harper are getting married."

Letting out a sarcastic laugh, she continued, "I told you four years ago, didn't I? The day my brother dumps you is the day you die."

Avery's whole body stiffened.

Four years had passed, and Mindy was still targeting her.

Mindy slapped Avery right in front of all the employees.

Avery didn't fight back. She didn't even dare to make a sound.

She admitted she was a coward because she couldn't afford to cross Mindy.

Even though she'd imagined killing Mindy a thousand times, she couldn't actually do anything if she wanted to stay alive.

If the day ever came when she no longer wanted to live, she'd be sure to take Mindy with her.

But for now, Avery wanted to live.

"Remember that slap? My brother once hit me because of you. He even sent me abroad! He never laid a hand on me before that, but he hit me for you!" Mindy laughed furiously and picked up a cup of coffee from the desk, pouring it over Avery's head.

"Avery, did you think getting close to my brother meant you won? Who do you think you are? You're just an orphan. My brother's on another level. Did you actually think he'd marry you?"

Mindy pushed Avery's head, smugly continuing, "Get out of Lowell Group, or I'll send all your dirty secrets to the company group chat."

Avery kept her head down, saying nothing.

Were the "dirty secrets" Mindy was referring to those nude photos they took of Avery when they bullied her in freshman year? Or was it the fact Avery slept with Marcus?

Not a single person in the office dared to speak up for Avery because Mindy was the daughter of the Lowells.

After Mindy left, someone asked in a hushed tone, "Avery, what did you do to offend her?"

Avery smiled and wiped her face with a tissue. "We went to university together. We have a bit of bad blood, as you can see."

…

In the restroom, Avery hid in a corner where no one was around, adjusting her clothes.

She didn't cry.

Back in freshman year, she'd naïvely cry about how unfair the world was.

True, she was an orphan. But that wasn't her fault.

Just because she had no connections or backing didn't mean she deserved to be bullied.

But now, she understood that being an orphan and having no backing were sins.

The people who hurt her would never feel the need to explain why.

Just then, her phone buzzed. Avery looked at it, noting that Marcus had transferred her 50 thousand dollars over Paypal.

The drama at the company was big. Marcus definitely caught wind of what Mindy had done to Avery.

Getting 50 thousand for being slapped once was not a bad thing, though.

"I called Mindy and scolded her. Go buy yourself something nice," Marcus said in a voice message.

He always said the same thing.

"Thank you, Mr. Lowell."

Avery accepted the money. She earned it, so she deserved to have it.

As she stared at their chat box, she didn't even know what she was hoping for. Perhaps she hoped that Marcus would show some concern by at least asking her if she got hurt in the crash. But he asked nothing.

She turned off her phone and went to the human resources department to submit her resignation. Since she was still an intern, the process wasn't complicated.

Tomorrow would be the 13th.

At night, she would go to Bullmar Main Manor to meet with the man she had contacted the other day.

As long as she seized this chance, she could finally escape Heisenville and Marcus.

Chapter 4

After transferring the money to her bank account, Avery left the company and went to a large shopping mall nearby.

In truth, 50 thousand was a big number to Avery, but to Marcus, it might not even be worth 50 cents.

Avery mustered up her courage and walked into a luxury store. "I want to look at that bag."

The saleswoman sized Avery up. "That bag is 49,800 dollars."

Avery smiled. What a coincidence. That was exactly the amount she had.

"I'll take it. Please wrap it up for me." Avery spoke calmly and sat down to wait, her legs hurting.

The saleswoman's attitude immediately changed as she smiled and went to get the bag for Avery.

A bag worth over 40 thousand was nothing in this luxury store. But to Avery, it was akin to her dignity.

The moment she received the bag, Avery felt its weight.

Her confidence didn't seem to come from owning a luxury bag, as she had thought it would. On the contrary, she now felt even more inferior.

Before leaving the counter, Avery saw a bag displayed in a separate showcase. "May I know how much that bag is?"

Avery remembered that bag. Marcus had given the same one to Madison. When Madison held it, she looked elegant and confident.

"That bag is a limited edition. It's a display item in our store. To purchase it, you either need over 30 million in accumulated membership points, or buy about 10 million worth of other products along with it," the saleswoman replied with a smile.

Avery stood frozen in place. 30 million was an enormous number.

But Marcus could throw away such a sum just to please Madison.

That money was more than enough to save all the children's lives in an orphanage.

Human life could be both expensive and worthless. Avery was born to be in the second category.

The gap between her and Madison wasn't just in the value of a bag. It was in their family background, upbringing, and every little detail of how they grew up.

Marcus would never brush Madison off with just a few tens of thousands because he knew Madison was worth way more than that.

Avery was like a toad, while Madison was a swan. They were incomparable.

It was utterly ridiculous that Avery once confidently believed she could hold a tiny place in Marcus' heart.

Back at her apartment, Avery put the bag up for sale on a second-hand site. It was brand new, so she would only lose a bit of money. But it could be sold quickly.

Once the money came through, Avery would transfer it to the orphanage director's bank account.

The kids had no warm clothes for the winter, and 40 thousand was enough to get them through.

After a hot shower, Avery stood naked beside the clothes rack. She was trying to pick out an outfit for her meeting at Bullmar Manor tomorrow.

The door opened, and Marcus walked in. He hadn't contacted Avery and came over without notice.

Avery was a little shocked and instinctively wrapped herself in a towel. "Mr. Lowell."

"You resigned?" Marcus frowned slightly, carrying some fruit he bought at the entrance of the apartment building.

He never came empty-handed, but what he brought was never expensive—small cakes, some fruit, a simple bouquet.

Avery nodded. "Yeah."

Marcus rented the apartment, so it was normal for him to come and go as he pleased.

"You don't need to worry about Madison. I'm here." Marcus pinched Avery's face as he looked at her.

Then, sitting on the edge of the bed, he pulled her over.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked in an unusually gentle tone.

Avery lowered her eyes and shook her head.

"I talked to HR. Just pretend you never submitted the resignation. I've given you a few days off. You can go back whenever you want."

Marcus was giving Avery special treatment.

But to Avery, this felt like charity.

In fact, Marcus had been giving her charity all along. Ever since he learned that his sister was leading people to bully her in disgusting ways, he had been helping her from a superior position.

Avery took a deep breath and gathered the courage to ask. "You're getting married, right?"

Marcus fell silent.

Avery held back the tears forming in her eyes and smiled. "I won't go back to the company, and I'll also move out of here soon. Marcus, let's end this. I wish you and Ms. Harper a lifetime of happiness."

She had her principles and bottom line. At the very least, she wouldn't be the other woman.

Marcus frowned, clearly displeased. "Are you picking a fight with me?"

Avery smiled tiredly. "No."

Marcus pulled Avery into his arms as if to comfort her. "Just stay here. We'll talk about it again when the wedding really happens."

He spoke as though those words weren't hurtful at all. Perhaps he never saw Avery as a person from the very start.

"That day of the car accident, Madison was scared and felt guilty for not checking up on you," Marcus uttered, holding Avery's tiny waist habitually.

He had always been extremely satisfied with Avery's figure. After all, he was the one who had shaped her body.

At 19, Avery was underdeveloped due to malnutrition. Marcus had taken her in and made sure she had three meals a day, no longer having to drink plain water and simple food to sustain herself.

"Madison's preparing a family dinner for tomorrow night. She invited a few friends. I'm planning to propose to her at home. You should come early and help with the preparations."

Marcus pulled the towel from Avery and continued exploring her bare skin. He brushed his nose against her neck, breathing softly and intimately.

Avery found him extremely cruel.

He and his sister were exactly the same kind of people.

He had been with Madison in Mavrelle for so many days, yet he still wasn't satisfied?

"I'm not going," Avery refused and pushed Marcus away. She then picked up the towel from the floor, feeling a wave of nausea in her stomach.

"I'm going to meet Mr. Langston tomorrow night," she thought.

"She'll get the wrong idea if you don't go." Marcus was a little annoyed now. This was the first time Avery had pushed him away.

"She just got divorced, so she's more sensitive. I don't want her to suspect that something's going on between us."

Chapter 5

"You're proposing to her, and you want me to help your future wife? Marcus, you're no different from Mindy. Why are you so cruel to me?" Avery questioned hoarsely, her emotions spiraling out of control.

At this point, she didn't want to hold it in anymore.

Marcus looked at Avery with a dark expression. "And you say you're not throwing a tantrum."

Avery couldn't breathe properly. She wanted something from Marcus that he could never give.

"Even if I don't marry Madison, I'll marry someone else. But it will never be you, got it?"

Marcus had made himself extremely clear.

Avery had no status. They were not a match in terms of background or family.

Marcus was someone who placed great importance on family background. The fact that he had taken care of her back then was already the most reckless thing he had ever done in his life.

Hence, it was absolutely impossible for him to ever give Avery an official title by his side.

Avery smiled self-mockingly. "I never expected you to marry me. I'm self-aware. I knew we would end one day."

"Avery, you're an adult now. Be realistic. Behave and listen to me. When the time comes to end this relationship, I won't treat you badly. You can pick any house you like in Heisenville. Whether it's a car or money, I'll give you whatever you want."

Marcus stood up and walked closer to Avery. "Come over early tomorrow."

"Marcus, I want to get married, too," Avery uttered numbly.

Marcus paused in his steps, staring back at Avery.

Avery looked up, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm serious."

"Get some rest. I'll take this as you throwing a tantrum. When you're truly ready to end this relationship and want to get married, let me know. I'll find a promising young man from a normal family among the employees for you." Marcus spoke magnanimously, then turned to leave.

He was confident that with Avery's background, she wouldn't be able to find a good man.

He had already been patient with her. Other than not being able to give her the marriage she wanted, he could give her anything.

With a bitter smile, Avery collapsed weakly to the floor.

Marcus had been sleeping with her for four years. Now that he was tired of her, he planned to marry her off to a low-level employee he could easily control.

He was controlling her now, and he also wanted to control her future partner?

How cruel.

But it didn't matter. She was going to meet Gideon Langston, someone even Marcus wouldn't dare provoke. As long as she could marry Gideon, everything would be over.

…

The next day, Avery went to Bullmar Manor No. 1.

All the luxury homes in Heisenville worth over 100 million were developed by Bullmar Real Estate of Gramsville. Marcus' villa and Gideon's Bullmar Main Manor were both top-tier luxury homes.

It wasn't Avery's first time at Marcus' house. As his intern assistant, she had picked him up many times. But every time she came here, she felt uncomfortable.

Perhaps it was because she was an orphan, but Avery had a deep obsession with the idea of home.

Marcus kept her outside. Though the apartment he rented for her was one of the best in Heisenville, it wasn't a home.

It was a gilded cage—a place to keep her locked up.

Marcus' real home was here, and Avery would never have a place in it.

Seeing Avery walk in, Madison smiled and came up to greet her. "You're here."

The demeanor of a hostess fit her and the house perfectly—it was all so natural.

Avery had once fantasized about what it would be like if she could marry Marcus and become the lady of this house.

But every time she thought about it, Avery would find it ridiculous because she didn't fit in in a villa like this.

"Ms. Harper, this is for you."

Avery had brought a gift—cookies she made by hand.

She used to make them often for the children at the orphanage. They weren't worth much, but they carried her sincerity.

No matter what kind of gift she gave, it would be worthless to someone of Madison's social class.

Madison smiled as she accepted the cookies.

Opening the box, she looked at the cookies before turning to Marcus, her smile never wearing off. "I think I saw the same cookies in Marcus' car."

Marcus frowned slightly. The atmosphere instantly turned heavy.

He thought Avery intentionally brought the cookies to provoke Madison, which enraged him.

But Avery really didn't know which car Marcus had ever left her cookies in.

"Mr. Lowell used to be too busy to eat breakfast. I made too many cookies, so I left some in his office..." Avery hurried to explain. When she got nervous, her fingers would stiffen.

Her depression had severe physical symptoms, and it was still getting worse.

"It looks like Marcus really enjoys your cookies. He even went out of his way to take them to the car," Madison commented with a smile, looking at Marcus. Her voice was always so gentle.

But behind all that sweetness, there was a sting.

Avery lowered her head helplessly, knowing that the more she said, the more mistakes she'd make. Marcus would definitely misunderstand again and think she was deliberately provoking Madison.

"I don't like them. I threw them in the trash. Finnick must've picked them out and left them in the car," Marcus said casually, as if it didn't matter.

Finnick Clarke was Marcus' special assistant and driver—a perfect scapegoat.

Avery's body stiffened slightly.

Trash.

The cookies she had gotten up before dawn to make, scalding her hands with blisters, were just trash to Marcus.

Marcus wasn't even trying to hide the fact he was aiming that at her.

Madison smiled softly and asked the maid to bring Avery a pair of disposable slippers. "Don't be nervous. Come on. I'll introduce you to my friends."

Madison gave Avery a pair of disposable indoor slippers, but the other guests in the house were all wearing customized pairs.

That meant Madison only intended to have Avery over this once.

Marcus had said Madison was divorced and a sensitive woman, but he didn't realize that Avery's heart was more fragile than anyone else's.

She was an orphan. She had grown up in an orphanage where reading people's moods was a survival skill.

Marcus had clearly noticed the difference in slippers, but he said nothing, which was a silent approval.

He was silently approving that Avery would only visit his home this one time.

Madison then brought Avery to the tea room, where her friends were gathered.

Then, with a smile, she uttered, "Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Marcus' assistant, a very pretty young girl."

Avery nodded at them politely without looking at them. However, the moment she looked up, she felt as though she had fallen into an ice cave.

There were six people seated in the tea room.

Three of them were her classmates in university, the ones who had bullied her together back then—Mindy, Zack Harper, and Susie Thompson.

Frozen in place, Avery couldn't stop trembling as she looked to Marcus for help.

Perhaps Madison didn't know her past, but Marcus did.

Knowing Madison would invite those people, Marcus still forced Avery to come.

Was he trying to drive her to her death?