Chapter 2

Penelope Chambers was the most gentle and dignified socialite in all of Besavia. After listening to the driver's descriptions, Rebecca learned another one of Penelope's identities—she was James' first love. They fell in love while they were studying abroad in Switzon and were a match made in heaven. When Penelope's father passed away due to an accident, James had brought her back to the Heaton family and declared that he wanted to marry her. Unfortunately, the voting failed since the Heatons and Chambers had bad blood in the past. Not all the Heatons agreed with the union. James had tried to protest their decision by starving himself, but his efforts were futile. As for Penelope, she had a prideful personality since she was a child. Therefore, she was unwilling to see James torture himself, and was even more against the idea of being stuck in a marriage that wasn't approved. In the end, she broke up with James and left the country. James had been at his lowest when he came up with his plan. "Ms. Sawyer, the truth is, Mr. Heaton was the mastermind behind the abduction three years ago. He was also the one who released those videos online. "He knew that you had a notorious reputation and a domineering personality that could take the pressure. Everyone in the circle knew what you were like. He wanted to use you as a comparison, so that the Heaton family will concede to his wishes." It turned out that James had constantly threatened the Heaton family by claiming that he would marry Rebecca for the last three years. He only did such a thing so he could marry the woman he truly loved. Rebecca felt like she was being stabbed by the cruel reality of the situation. As her world collapsed around her, she thought about the past. She had only been 19 years old when her mother, Carrie Hill, passed away. However, her philandering father, Justin Sawyer, had tried to force her into an arranged marriage with a family in Besavia. After that incident, Rebecca transformed into a completely different person overnight. She started to fool around, swearing to make herself the most undesirable and unmarriageable woman in their circle. However, a crack had formed in the walls she erected around her heart when James put his life and the line and protected her again and again during the abduction. She still had a hard time believing that everything had been a farce from the start. From James' perspective, she was nothing more than a prey that he could toy with as he pleased. Rebecca clenched her teeth and held back her tears. She swung her bag again, smashing it against the car. Unfortunately, even continuously battering the car was far from enough for her to vent her frustrations. She shoved the driver aside before flicking open a lighter and tossing it into the car. The leather seats caught fire in an instant. Rebecca's eyes were bloodshot as she turned around and said, "Tell James that it's over between us. We will never breathe the same air ever again!" … That day, Rebecca visited three different bars. She helped herself to an endless flow of alcohol and hired handsome and thoughtful hosts to accompany her. Everything she did reminded her of how she had once been the most promiscuous woman in their circle. Unfortunately, God was waiting to play a cruel joke on her when she dropped by her final destination—the most exclusive club in Nurano. There was a welcoming party going on in full swing in the room next to hers. When Rebecca walked past it, she coincidentally spotted the large words decorating the flower display. "Welcome back Ms. Penelope Chambers!" Penelope's best friends intentionally raised their voices as they sat within the private room. "It was impossible for James to forget you, Penny. There's no way that slut can compete against you now that you're back in Nurano." "She's right, Penny. Mr. Heaton already gave you a diamond ring that's worth 30 million dollars. He also called you more than 50 times. Are you sure you don't want to meet him?" Rebecca's hands curled into tight fists. She felt as if her heart was being stabbed by countless needles. She never would have thought that Penelope would return to the country that day of all days. Penelope sat under the flower display. She was wearing a tight dress, which showed the pale and smooth skin of her neck. She was thin and carried herself with an elegant demeanor, making it clear that she and Rebecca were complete opposites. However, when Penelope made eye contact with Rebecca, an assertive smile stretched across her lips. "I've thought things through. I came back this time because I want to be with James. However, he still fooled around with another woman even though it was for the sake of marrying me. Naturally, I need to punish him for a little while." Rebecca's lips curled up into a cold smile. She strode into the room and swept the champagne tower off the table. "Who was the one who called me a slut? I dare you to say that to my face." She then grabbed the woman who spoke first. Ignoring her shrill shrieks, Rebecca slapped her hard across the face. "There are plenty of fish out there in the sea. I don't need someone who doesn't love me!" To prove that she was being serious, after Rebecca was done taking out her frustrations, she returned to her own room next door and hired a group of muscular men to accompany her. Balancing a cigarette between her lips, she patted the cheek of the handsome young man next to her and asked, "Light this for me, will you?" The young man had only just lit the cigarette when the door slammed open. "Get out of here!" James was suddenly there, wearing a cold expression. It was obvious that he had just been punished by the Heatons. Although he still carried himself with a dignified air, he wasn't able to fully suppress the irritation in his eyes. He loosened his tie after the male hosts hastily exited the room. He then sat down next to Rebecca. "So, you know everything now?" The driver must have told him what had transpired. However, before Rebecca could make a retort, James grabbed her chin and said, "Since you know everything now, Becca, let me give you a warning. If you want to vent your frustrations, take everything out on me. Leave Penny out of this!"