Chapter 1

As the pampered youngest son of the Rimmer family, Stephen Rimmer had always been a troublemaker.

When he was still a little boy, he had set his house on fire and even desecrated his family's ancestral grave. His father, Andrew Rimmer, beat him senseless as punishment. But the fire in Stephen's eyes never went out, and he continued being wild and unruly.

As he grew older, he became a total menace, a wild, unstoppable tyrant that no one in Denvale dared to mess with—that was, until he met their maid's daughter, Crystal Hoffman. He did a complete one-eighty, tucking away his wild side and acting as docile as a puppy around her.

When Crystal said she liked neat-looking guys, he endured excruciating pain to remove all of his tattoos.

When she said she hated the smell of cigarette smoke, Stephen, a chain smoker, chewed gum until he gagged and even destroyed the million dollars' worth of tobacco he had stockpiled at home.

Once, he got caught trying to kiss her, and to apologize, he burned his own lips with a hot iron and survived on a liquid diet for a whole month.

For 20 years, if Crystal said jump, he'd ask how high.

Even Andrew could only shake his head in disbelief as he realized only Crystal could handle his wild, mischievous son.

Finally, after years of being together, they were just a month away from getting married.

But now, for a woman who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Stephen kicked Crystal on the back of her knee.

"Kneel and apologize to Amy!"

He shielded Amy Knott behind him, his cold eyes full of disgust.

Ever since Stephen met Amy, everything had changed. He became a feral beast, claiming he needed one last hurrah before marriage. As such, he tossed his career and family aside to stir up trouble with Amy every day.

Under Amy's encouragement that day, Stephen drove drunk at breakneck speed, hitting a pedestrian and leaving their life hanging by a thread.

This was the 99th time that month Crystal had come to clean up after him. All it took was her saying to stay away from Amy for Stephen to turn on her immediately.

"You want me to kneel and apologize for someone like her? Stephen, are you out of your mind?"

Crystal collapsed to the ground, bruising her knees and scraping her hands in the process, her eyes wide with disbelief.

When she was five, her mother, Marlene Whitfield, had brought her to the Rimmer residence after being hired as a live-in maid.

When she was being punished for getting caught sneaking pastries by the butler, she was suddenly protected by the mischievous little Stephen, who scolded her in a babyish voice for being dumb and told her to stand up for herself.

When she was 25, Andrew tried to arrange a marriage for Stephen. Stephen blew up at him, grabbed Crystal's hand, and declared he would never marry anyone but her.

Over the course of 20 years, Stephen had used his care and attention to help the timid and insecure Crystal come out of her shell. And yet, just as they were about to finally tie the knot, he was forcing her to kneel for another woman, burning her dignity to ashes.

A harsh, icy voice snapped Crystal back to reality.

"Someone like her? Are you serious, Crystal? Amy may come from a lowly background, but you're just the daughter of a maid! Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty?

"I'm your boyfriend, not your son! Can't I have friends without you breathing down my neck? It was only after meeting Amy that I realized what true freedom is and what it feels like to be alive!

"I'm already going to be stuck following the rules and spending the rest of my life with you anyway. Can't I at least have this one last month to do whatever I want?"

The barrage of words crashed over Crystal, making her feel dizzy and overwhelmed.

Stephen saw her as a controlling mother when all she did was guide him toward the right path, but he was actually grateful to Amy for leading him toward ruin.

So this was what he really thought.

Crystal felt a bitter sense of emptiness. If he hated the thought of being in her future, why should she cling to him? Why should they even be married?

Crystal closed her eyes in disappointment, feeling her love for Stephen slowly die. "Stephen, I'm not wrong. I refuse to apologize!"

She rubbed her bruised knees and stood, her voice calm but resolute.

Stephen nearly lost it. He couldn't understand why, after 20 years of obeying her every word, she wouldn't allow him to let loose this one time.

"Crystal, have you forgotten that everything you have was handed to you by me? Clearly, I've spoiled you way too much. Since you want to act all high and mighty and refuse to apologize, you can kneel here naked all night! Think long and hard about who's really in charge!" Stephen shouted in a rage, intending to teach her a lesson.

No sooner had he spoken than his bodyguards closed in, forcibly removing Crystal's clothes until she was left in nothing but her underwear.

Stephen was attempting to make her give in by leveraging her virtue.

In the middle of the crowded city streets, Crystal was pinned to the ground, half-naked. Humiliation and fury instantly consumed her. "Stephen Rimmer, I hate you!"

Crystal's heart-wrenching screams were lost among the shocked stares and whispers of the passersby.

Stephen didn't even notice the lifeless look in her eyes. No one knew what she went through that night.

As the first light of day touched the ground, the trembling Crystal finally staggered to her feet. She had no idea how she had made it back to the Rimmer residence, but she found herself knocking on Andrew's door.

"Mr. Rimmer, I'm calling off the engagement. I want to take my mother somewhere Stephen can never find us," Crystal said hoarsely.

Andrew looked up, surprised. Even though she wasn't married to Stephen yet, he already treated her like his daughter-in-law.

Andrew asked in a caring voice, "What happened, Crystal? Did Stephen give you a hard time? I'll make him regret it!"

Before she could answer, a dashcam video suddenly popped up and auto-played on her phone.

"What do you think, Stephen? Doesn't it feel great without that old woman around?"

Over the sound of a roaring engine, she could hear Amy speaking with a thick accent.

Crystal could even see Amy's yellowed teeth from years of smoking in the video, yet Stephen didn't care at all, responding with a wild, passionate kiss.

The next second, the steering wheel suddenly went haywire.

A loud crash followed, making Crystal's heart drop.

So this was the real cause of the car accident last night. Stephen had been betraying her all along!

It was clear who had sent the video. Nevertheless, Crystal still couldn't wrap her head around it.

Why was it that, after 20 years of loving and respecting each other and finally marrying, he acted as if she were his mortal enemy and needed to hook up with other women to blow off steam and vent his frustrations?

But really, she didn't have to make sense of it. It was enough for her to know that this wasn't a man she wanted.

"That ingrate!" Andrew roared as he sent the stationery beside his hand flying, ink splattering everywhere.

Crystal, on the other hand, was calm. After all, her relationship with Stephen had already ended.

Once he calmed down, Andrew wanted to dissuade her from making any rash decisions.

But he knew it was already too late upon noticing Crystal's resolve and remembering Stephen's reckless behavior. He could only sigh helplessly.

"Crystal, you're a good woman. After all these years, I've always considered you my daughter-in-law, but I never expected him to do something this outrageous!

"The Rimmer family has wronged you. Since you've decided to go, I'll book your flight in two weeks and make sure Stephen doesn't know about it. I'll always see you as family, and I hope you can find happiness."

Chapter 2

As Crystal stepped out of the room, she felt grateful to Andrew but also weighed down by a tangle of emotions.

Stephen hadn't been the only one putting effort into their relationship.

Aware of their huge social gap, Crystal had never let herself slack off over the years, constantly improving herself to close the distance between them.

In the end, she had become so capable that even the arrogant and prideful Andrew began to acknowledge her excellence and hard work. Yet here they were, their love being discarded by Stephen himself…

Crystal forced a bitter smile and went to the company to handle her resignation. After finishing the paperwork, she packed her things and prepared to leave.

But the moment she stepped out of the building, someone yanked her from behind, causing her to lose balance and fall hard to the ground. Before she could react, fists rained down on her.

"You filthy bitch! How dare you try to seduce my son-in-law? Look, everyone! This shameless woman tried to steal someone else's husband!"

"I didn't… It wasn't me… I don't even know your son-in-law!"

With everything happening so fast, Crystal was hit with such force that she became dizzy, disoriented, and too weak to fight back. By the time she managed to stand, a crowd had already gathered around her.

Crystal tried to defend herself as her clothes were torn. Only when the police arrived and took them to the station did she finally learn the truth.

The couple who attacked her were Amy's parents. They had come specifically to "teach her a lesson" for their daughter.

"Hmph! So what if you're Mr. Rimmer's fiancee? Amy and Mr. Rimmer are the real couple! I suggest you give up now—or else!"

Even after being exposed, they remained unfazed and began mocking Crystal arrogantly.

Crystal gathered her torn clothes and let out a cold, calm laugh.

"I've already dumped that trash of a man. I don't care how much you treasure your daughter, but attacking and slandering me in public is unacceptable. Officer, I demand a medical examination and will press charges against them!"

She made her request firmly, then went to the hospital alone to be treated.

Not long after, her mother, Marlene Whitfield, called unexpectedly.

"Crystal… At the foot of Mount Survan… Help me…"

Marlene's desperate, tearful voice came through, but the call was disconnected before Crystal could ask anything. When she tried to call back, the line was already dead.

A cold chill ran through her as she realized her mother was in danger.

Crystal raced to the foot of Mount Survan. The moment she arrived, she saw Marlene dangling from a crane. She stumbled forward, wanting to save her.

Then she followed Marlene's terrified gaze—and to her shock, Stephen had his arm around Amy while operating the crane.

"Stephen! Are you insane? That's my mom! Let her down!"

Crystal lunged at him, but he dodged, looking at her with a vicious glare.

"Crystal, how cruel of you to send Amy's parents to the police station! Since you did that, I'll make you feel the pain of losing your mother as well!"

"They attacked me first and slandered me, claiming I was a homewrecker! I simply pressed charges against them. What's wrong with that?"

She couldn't believe Stephen would completely ignore the years Marlene had cared for him at the Rimmer residence just because of Amy's parents.

He knew Marlene had a serious heart condition. Any shock could be fatal. Crystal couldn't even imagine the consequences if something happened.

Crystal swiftly lifted her shirt, revealing the alarming injuries all over her body. Stephen hesitated for a brief moment.

Amy twisted the truth as she cried. "Stephen, how could you believe her? My parents are gentle people. They don't even know Crystal. They would never attack her. She must have gone to my parents for revenge because of what you did for me yesterday."

After hearing Amy's words, Stephen instantly dismissed all doubts in his mind. "Crystal, drop the case right now and have her parents released. Otherwise…"

He lifted Marlene 100 feet into the air, causing her to scream in terror, but he ignored her.

"Mom!"

Crystal's eyes turned bloodshot as she watched Marlene sway in the wind. She bit her lip until it tasted of blood, finally saying weakly, "Okay… I'll do what you say…"

Chapter 3

In front of Amy and Stephen, Crystal made the call to withdraw the case.

Stephen was about to lower Marlene as promised, but Amy accidentally bumped the controls.

Marlene spun in the air like a kite. Screaming the whole time, she fell from the crane and hit the ground hard.

She was rushed to the hospital, and a doctor came out of the operating room to update them. "The patient has multiple fractures and contusions from the fall. She's in critical condition, but we'll do our best to save her."

The news nearly made Crystal collapse on the spot. She swayed, on the verge of falling.

Suddenly, a strong hand wrapped around her, pulling her into a warm embrace.

The person said softly, "Crystal, hurting Mrs. Hoffman was never my intention. Don't worry about the medical bills. I'll cover everything. I'll make sure the doctors do all they can to save her.

"It's just… I know your temper. You hold grudges. What happened to Mrs. Hoffman was an accident. Amy's my friend. Please, for my sake, don't go after her or her parents anymore. I swear, after we're married, I'll be good to you."

A faint scent of pine mixed with cheap perfume wafted into Crystal's nose. She smirked bitterly.

Of course. Stephen wasn't comforting her—he was pleading on behalf of his so-called "friend", the one he could kiss and cuddle with as he pleased.

Crystal shoved Stephen away and slapped him across the face.

"As if! Stephen, you disgust me! Don't worry. I'll be sure to get my revenge. Also, you and I are done!"

Stephen covered his face as he gritted out, "Ugh… Crystal! Do you have to humiliate me like this? Aren't you afraid you'll regret it?"

It was only then that Crystal realized Amy wasn't the only one behind Stephen. A few of his buddies were there too, and he was angry because she'd embarrassed him in front of everyone. To him, his pride mattered more than Marlene's life—and more than their future together.

"Yes! I will never regret it!"

"So you'll never regret it, huh? Fine! You've got some nerve, Crystal! I'll be waiting for the day you're down on your knees begging me."

Just as Stephen left, a nurse wheeled Marlene out of her ward, apologetically saying, "Ms. Hoffman, we're very sorry. Mr. Rimmer has requested that we stop your mother's treatment. Please arrange a transfer as soon as possible."

Crystal dug her nails into her palms.

This hospital's largest shareholder was Rimmer Group. Stephen was trying to force her to give in.

She had no choice but to rush her mother from hospital to hospital across the city. But after a day of searching, just mentioning her name made every hospital refuse to admit Marlene.

Watching Marlene moan in pain on the bed, Crystal felt crushed. "I'm sorry, Mom… It's my fault for making you suffer."

She searched until late at night before finally finding a small private clinic in the suburbs that didn't immediately turn her away. However, when the doctor saw Marlene's condition, he shook his head and refused to take her, afraid she wouldn't survive.

Crystal's eyes were red.

It wasn't that she didn't want to admit Marlene to a proper hospital—she couldn't. She had already tried every hospital in the city. If even this clinic refused, Marlene might not make it through the night.

Crystal begged on her knees, pleading with the doctor. Finally, with a sigh, he relented.

But because of her circumstances and Marlene's critical condition, the clinic quoted an astronomical bill. Nevertheless, nothing mattered more than Marlene's life to her.

Crystal rushed to the payment counter, swiping card after card, only to hear that each one was frozen. She called colleagues and friends, hoping to borrow money, but not a single one picked up.

"Ms. Hoffman, if you cannot settle the bill within three days, we'll have no choice but to discharge the patient," the staff said gently, trying to be sympathetic.

Chapter 4

Outside, fierce winds swept thick sheets of snow across the streets. It was the heaviest blizzard Denvale had seen all year. The streets were practically empty, with only a few cars crawling along.

Yet in the middle of the storm, Crystal braved the wind and snow, heading toward Paradise Royale, the most luxurious bar in the heart of the city. That place was paradise for the rich, who spent money like water, and right now, it was the fastest way Crystal could think of to make cash.

Inside the cramped dressing room, the air was thick with the stench of cheap makeup.

Crystal unconsciously gripped the hem of the revealing miniskirt she was wearing. Staring at the unfamiliar person in the mirror, she felt a moment of disorientation.

When she was 18, she had wanted to buy Stephen a proper suit for his birthday. She had worked day and night at part-time jobs, but even then, she couldn't earn a fraction of its price.

By chance, she overheard classmates saying that working at Paradise Royale was a quick way to earn money.

That very night, just as she reached the entrance with a friend, an enraged Stephen showed up with people in tow.

"Crystal Hoffman! Who said you could mess around and do whatever you wanted? Do you even know what kind of place this is?"

His eyes were bloodshot as he clamped down on her arm, gripping so hard it felt as if he wanted to crush her.

That was the first time Stephen had ever lost his temper with her like that.

But when he found out she was trying to earn money to buy him a birthday present, his anger vanished instantly.

Pulling her into a tight embrace, he choked up. "Crystal, I don't want any other gift. You're the best birthday present I'll ever have."

After that, Stephen gave her a black card with no spending limit. He told her she was his princess, and a princess should forever remain graceful, never needing to face the struggles of life.

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Crystal thought bitterly that her prince had personally stripped her of her dignity and handed her endless suffering instead.

Carrying a tray, Crystal followed the other servers into a private room.

Anyone who could afford this place was either rich or powerful. Crystal knew very well what kind of shady dealings went on beneath the surface, so she kept her head down and focused on her job, not wanting trouble.

"Hey, sweetheart, come drink with me!"

While pouring drinks, a leering man took a liking to her. He pulled her straight into his arms and force-fed her alcohol.

"Sir, please… let go of me…"

Flushing with shame, Crystal struggled to break free. Afraid of offending him, she forced a smile and drank a glass to appease him, but he wouldn't let her go.

"You're already a bottle girl, so why are you acting all pure? You like drinking, right? Fine. Drink a whole bottle, and I'll give you a million dollars. If you can't finish it, I'll make sure you 'enjoy yourself' in bed tonight!"

He pointed at the table full of hard liquor, his eyes mocking.

Though everyone in the room noticed the commotion, not a single person stepped in to help.

There was no escape and no way out. With trembling hands, Crystal picked up a bottle, powerless to resist.

The moment the liquor hit her throat, it burned like fire—but it wasn't nearly as intense as the chill she felt in her heart.

After countless drinks, Crystal's head felt like it was splitting apart. Under the distorted lights, she vaguely saw a disgusting hand reaching toward her.

She closed her eyes in resignation, but the humiliation she expected never came. Instead, she heard the crisp sound of a bottle smashing and a man's screams for mercy.

The entire room fell into an eerie silence.

With effort, Crystal lifted her eyelids.

Stephen stood against the light, looking like a demon from hell.

"Crystal, are you really that desperate for money that you'd sell yourself? Do you have any idea that you would have been ruined a long time ago if it weren't for me?"

Stephen pinned Crystal beneath him, grinding his teeth as he stared at her flushed face.

"That's right! I need money. I'm cheap! Didn't you already know that, Mr. Rimmer? My mom was thrown out of the hospital and could die at any moment. If I don't sell myself, am I supposed to just watch her die?"

Crystal's eyes were full of hate.

Was she blaming him for this?

Staring at her soft red lips, Stephen suddenly leaned down and kissed her.

"Let go of me, Stephen! You… make me sick! I told you—we've already broken up!"

She struggled desperately, then bit down hard on Stephen's lip. He hissed in pain and finally pulled back. Licking the blood from the corner of his mouth, he stared at the woman who had rejected him.

There was some anger in his tone as he said, "Crystal, I already told you. Amy and I are just friends, and you are the woman I'll spend my life with! So now, it's time for you to do what a wife's supposed to do."

Having his pride wounded yet again, Stephen was so furious that he was on the verge of losing all reason.

Chapter 5

"Have you lost your mind, Stephen?"

The moment Crystal felt the chill between her legs, her hair stood on end. Stephen fumbled with his belt before binding her wrists.

"Stephen, please, I'm begging you… not here!"

Tears streamed down her face as she realized he was serious. She shook her head, pleading, but Stephen didn't show any sign of stopping. He slammed into her, and a sharp pain shot through her lower body.

An overwhelming sense of humiliation washed over her, threatening to consume her entirely.

Even though everyone in the room looked away out of tact, the tension was suffocating.

Was he really so desperate that he would publicly shame her like this?

Seeing her resist, Stephen leaned in and whispered crude insults in her ear. "Why are you resisting? You were fine letting loose in front of other men, weren't you?

"Stop pretending to be innocent! Behave yourself. You wanted money, right? I can give it to you. If you do as I say, I'll make sure Mrs. Hoffman gets transferred for treatment."

Tears welled up in Crystal's eyes instantly. The man she had once loved—the one she had dreamed of spending her life with—had become something vile long ago, without her ever realizing it.

For a moment, Crystal didn't know whether to cry for the man she had once loved or to smile at finally seeing his true face.

Just as Stephen grew more forceful, the private room door swung open.

"Stephen, what are you…"

Amy's words trailed off as she took in the obscene scene. Her eyes reddened instantly, and she ran out in tears.

"Amy!"

Stephen froze, hastily pulled up his pants, and leveled a steely glare at everyone around him.

"What the hell were you all doing? Didn't I say she was absolutely not allowed in here? You're all going to pay for this!"

With that, he stormed out in a panic, as if something invaluable had been taken from him.

Instantly, muffled groans of men receiving a beating echoed through the room. These were people who had bled for him, risked their lives for him, and protected him as he grew up.

Stephen had once said they were closer to him than family, yet he threw all that loyalty and friendship away for Amy.

Crystal gave a bitter laugh. She wasn't any different from them. She was just an option to Stephen, someone he could discard at any time.

The next day, Stephen kept his word and transferred Marlene to the best hospital in the city.

After several days of attentive treatment, Marlene finally woke up.

Crystal was crying tears of joy when, suddenly, Stephen—whom she hadn't seen in days—barged in.

"Crystal, come with me! Amy's been so upset that she hasn't eaten for days after seeing what happened between us! Go apologize and make it up to her!"

Despite her struggles, Stephen yanked her out of the ward without listening to a word she said.

"Let go, Stephen! Who does she think she is? Why should I apologize to her?" Crystal yelled, pointing a finger at Amy, who was standing not far away.

Amy was practically glowing. That hardly looked like someone who had been upset. And besides, what right did she even have to be upset?

"You can refuse to apologize, but what about your mother? You've seen what I'm capable of. I can have her admitted to the hospital—or thrown out just as easily!"

Stephen's vicious words were like whispers from a demon. This was the third time he had used Marlene's life to threaten Crystal on Amy's behalf.

Crystal had lost her father when she was young, so Marlene had raised her alone. Stephen had always known how much her mother meant to her.

Sure enough, only those closest to a person knew exactly where to strike for it to hurt the most.

"Okay… I'll apologize… I'm sorry…"

Crystal took a deep breath and lowered her head. Even as she apologized profusely, Amy deliberately complained that her voice was too quiet.

In the end, Amy forced Crystal to get on all fours. Each time Crystal tried to speak, Amy stepped on her fingers with her seven-inch heels.

"I thought you couldn't speak any louder. Maybe this will help you speak up!"

Pain shot through Crystal's entire body as Amy crushed her fingers with the full weight of her body.

Crystal cried out in agony, but when she remembered that Marlene was still inside, she forced herself to stifle her cries, her sorrow, and her tears.

In the end, however, the noise still drew Marlene's attention.

"Crystal!"

Marlene struggled along the wall and saw Crystal's fingers bruised and bleeding from Amy's assault, while Stephen—who was supposed to be Crystal's future husband—watched coldly from the side. It was clear he was letting an outsider torment her daughter.

"Let Crystal go!"

Marlene stepped forward, trying to pull Amy away, but Amy shoved her back with all her strength, shouting furiously.

"You old hag! It's your daughter's own fault for being so trashy! She clearly got it from you! If you won't teach her manners, I will!"

Amy was about to continue her assault on Crystal when Marlene stumbled back from the shove, lost her balance, and fell onto some unused metal pipes in the hallway, which pierced her chest.

Blood spurted, and Crystal's eyes stung with shock and horror at the sight.