When Caroline regained her consciousness, she felt as though every bone in her body had been crushed. She forced her eyes open, only to meet Bradley's bloodshot gaze.

"Carol, you're finally awake!" he exclaimed.

The joy in his eyes seemed genuine, but Caroline shut her eyes again in weary disgust.

Bradley lowered his gaze. "I know you hate me, but I didn't have a choice. Crystal's mother once helped me. Now that she is ill and fighting for her life, the only thing she is worried about is her daughter. I promised to take care of her. I was the cause of everything Crystal went through. I can't just abandon her. However, you're my girlfriend, Carol. Shouldn't you understand and support me?"

He continued, "I told you that I would find a way to save you. You didn't need to take this risk. You just had to wait a little longer. Even if Gregory harmed you, I wouldn't have turned my back on y

Applause and gasps erupted across the hall. Bradley's friends nearly jumped out of their seats.

"An engagement? What does this mean? Didn't Caroline say that she would never marry anyone but Bradley and turn down this proposal? Why is this official now?" 

Another one of his friends snorted. "What's there to figure out? Bradley's been pushing her into danger repeatedly for Crystal's sake. She must have gotten jealous. This is a classic move from a woman. She is using the engagement to reel him back in."

"Now that this engagement has been made public, things have just gotten really interesting. Do you think Caroline's new fiance would still want her once that video drops?"

Bradley's friends' taunts and mockery had extinguished the burning frustration in Bradley's heart. He lifted his gaze toward the stage, only to find Caroline's hand resting on David's arm. It was indeed a sight for s

"Carol, it looks like you meant nothing to Bradley, after all. He didn't even hesitate, knocking you out and bringing you here," Bianca said as she lounged beside Gregory. Her legs were crossed, and her voice dripped with cruel delight.

Caroline immediately understood what was happening.

This wasn't a random abduction. It seemed that her sister had carefully planned this trap with the help of others.

Caroline stood there, frozen. A chill ran through her body. "Bianca, have you lost your mind?"

Bianca glared at her. "I learned from the best—you. You colluded with others and lied to me for years. Since you're that desperate for men, I'll make sure you have plenty."

"I didn't lie to you. I—"

"Shut up!" The slap came hard and fast. Bianca's manicured nails tore across Caroline's cheek, leaving a burning line of blood. "I will never believe a single word you say. You think you're good at tugging at the hearts of men? Let's see how deep that so-called love of yours really runs."

Caroline glanced in the direction Bianca was pointing, and there, Bradley emerged from another room, with an arm wrapped around Crystal. Crystal was weeping softly, her face buried in his chest. 

Bradley whispered, "Don't worry. Everything is okay. I'll take you home."

With Crystal in his arms, he guided her down the stairs and didn't even bat an eye at Caroline.

The promise Bradley had made to her two days ago about how he would protect her echoed bitterly in her mind.

Fortunately, she didn't believe him. Her heart was no longer beating for him.

Bianca gave a mocking click of her tongue. "Tough break, Carol. Watching your man cradle another woman must sting, huh? Guess your little charms aren't as enticing as you thought." 

She waited for the look of despair on Caroline's face.

However, Caroline simply looked at Bianca blankly, her eyes empty and as still as dead water. The stare made Bianca nervous.

Before she could even speak, Gregory suddenly stood and said, "Alright. We're done with kids' games here. It's time for some adult fun."

He grabbed Caroline, who was lying on the ground, and threw her onto the bed. Caroline's hands were tied behind her back, and her head struck the headboard with a sickening thud, startling Bianca.

"You said you would just scare her. You're not going to do anything to her, right?"

"Darling, I've played your little game. Now, it's time for me to have some fun."

Bianca glared at him. "Middleton, if you lay a hand on my sister, my father will—Ahh!" Her protest was cut short by Gregory's sharp slap. 

He mocked, "Your father? Even if the president himself walked through this door, it won't change my determination to enjoy my fun with the two of you."

Gregory ripped Bianca's blouse apart as she wailed and struggled to break free.

Caroline scrambled from the bed, shielding Bianca behind her. "Let her go. She is just a clueless kid. If you want to have some fun, take me instead. You can do whatever you want."

Bianca whimpered, "Carol…"

"Go!" Caroline barked.

Gregory smiled and waved his hand. Bianca was dragged away. Before Caroline could collect herself, a hand yanked her by the hair from the back. The grip was so strong that a part of her scalp almost tore off.

Gregory held her by her hair and slammed her onto the bed again. The sharp crack of his belt sliced through the air, followed by a dull sound as the belt landed mercilessly on her body.

Pain coursed through Caroline's body.

Her wrists burned against the coarse ropes. She bit her lip until she tasted blood, swallowing her cry of pain.

The whips came harder and faster, each impact tearing into her skin. She bit down hard on her lip, holding back the scream clawing its way up her throat, but the pain and humiliation were too much that her tears slipped free, spilling down her face.

As her world began to blur, Gregory grabbed her by her hair and pressed her hard against the windowsill.

"Bradley can't satisfy you the way I can. Why not be mine instead…"

Then, she heard the sound of a zip being undone.

Taking the opportunity, Caroline flipped and jumped, throwing herself at the window.

The glass shattered. At the same moment, the door was kicked down.

As Caroline fell, she heard Bradley's voice, screaming her name.

When Caroline regained her consciousness, she felt as though every bone in her body had been crushed. She forced her eyes open, only to meet Bradley's bloodshot gaze.

"Carol, you're finally awake!" he exclaimed.

The joy in his eyes seemed genuine, but Caroline shut her eyes again in weary disgust.

Bradley lowered his gaze. "I know you hate me, but I didn't have a choice. Crystal's mother once helped me. Now that she is ill and fighting for her life, the only thing she is worried about is her daughter. I promised to take care of her. I was the cause of everything Crystal went through. I can't just abandon her. However, you're my girlfriend, Carol. Shouldn't you understand and support me?"

He continued, "I told you that I would find a way to save you. You didn't need to take this risk. You just had to wait a little longer. Even if Gregory harmed you, I wouldn't have turned my back on you. Why did you have to be so foolish?"

He didn't really think that she jumped out of the window to

Chapter 9