Chapter 11

“Isabella, stop crying. Mom has it all figured out.” Margaret Blake gently helped Isabella Knight up from the ground and whispered the plan into her ear. After hearing it, Isabella finally wiped her tears and smiled again. The plan was vicious, but clever—so sharp that even someone like Isabella, who was no saint herself, had to admit her mother had a real talent for this. Earlier, at the engagement party, Old Mr. Barron had officially announced that starting today, Summer Knight would move to Alexander Barron’s private island to spend time with him and deepen their relationship. So, before Alexander’s car arrived to pick Summer up that night, they had to move fast—knock her out and have her smuggled away on one of those shady boats headed for the Luna Pavilion in the capital. That place was a known hellhole, a den of traded favors and power plays. Any woman who ended up there was finished. Within two months, they’d be molded into seductresses—if they survived at all. And Summer? With the mind of a six-year-old? She’d be crying for help with no one to hear, completely at the mercy of those twisted, powerful clients. Her fate would be either broken or dead. Meanwhile, Isabella would dress up as Summer, take some strong sedatives, and take her place on the ride to the island. Once she met Alexander, she’d find a way to drug him. As long as she could sleep with him and capture it on video, she could blackmail him into marriage. There would be no way he could deny it. Margaret and Isabella went over the plan again, growing more confident by the minute, even laughing proudly at their own cunning. In their minds, Isabella was just steps away from becoming Mrs. Barron. Once married, they’d seize control of the Barron empire and live however they pleased. Isabella would make everyone who’d humiliated her pay—ten times over. The more they fantasized, the more excited they became, practically floating on their own wicked glee. But what these two didn’t know was that walls have ears. Just after they climbed into their car, a silver-gray sedan parked ahead slowly pulled away. Behind the wheel sat a woman with a delicate but pale face. She glanced at the voice recording on her phone, then at the silver needle that had fallen from Summer’s dress at the party—now resting on her passenger seat. She knew what she had to do. She had to find Summer. Tell her everything. — After the party, Alexander didn’t take Summer back to pack himself—he sent his assistant, Ethan Hart, instead. Ethan wasn’t just anyone. He was one of the best, handpicked by Alexander from a private training fortress in Europe. With Ethan guarding her, Alexander knew Summer was safe. Still, Summer couldn’t hide her disappointment. She’d kind of hoped Alexander would come himself. Even so, she could tell right away—Ethan was solid. Loyal and capable. Far better than that traitor Daniel Barron had planted beside Alexander in her past life. Alexander had trusted that man too much, and it cost him—over and over. It took him years and countless setbacks to finally take control of the Barron empire. Summer’s eyes sparkled with thought before she flashed Ethan an innocent smile. She tilted her head and asked sweetly,“Ethan, how long have you worked with Big Brother Alex? Do you know what his favorite food is?” If it weren’t common knowledge that Summer had the mind of a child, someone as cautious as Ethan might have thought she was digging for intel. His reply was cool and clipped:“Only two days.” After a pause, he added,“Before that, there was another assistant around Mr. Barron... but I heard he dealt with him quietly.” Even knowing Summer probably wouldn’t grasp the meaning, he still couldn’t bring himself to lie. But that one sentence sent a shock through Summer’s heart. She had originally planned to deal with that traitor herself once she reached the island. Who would’ve thought Alexander had already cleaned house two days ago, realizing the assistant was Daniel Barron’s spy. Things were really starting to diverge from her previous life. Who knew what other surprises lay ahead? Before long, the car pulled up at the Knight family estate. Ethan turned to her, ever respectful.“Miss, shall I help you pack?” “Hehe, no need! Summer can do it! Just give me an hour—I’ll have everything ready!” Grinning proudly, Summer bounded toward the house, all sunshine and innocence. She had a secret meeting with Grace to attend—obviously, she couldn’t let Ethan catch wind of that. Not that she was worried; she was pretty sure Grace wouldn’t let her down. Sure enough, just as Summer stepped into the brightly lit mansion, a car parked quietly down the street. Grace kept her eyes on the house but didn’t glance toward the main gate. Instead, she clenched the silver needle in her fist and scaled the wall from the back. She needed answers about what Summer had said. She had to know the truth. Of course, Ethan spotted her the moment she moved. He sent a message to Alexander, who replied with just seven words: “Let my little fool have her fun.” — Inside the Knight estate. Margaret was locked in her room, whispering over the phone to a human trafficker. Meanwhile, Isabella had gone out, supposedly for something mundane—in truth, she was buying sedatives. And Charles? The man was practically glowing. With Summer about to marry into the Barron family as its future lady, his own status was set to skyrocket. So when she walked back in, he greeted her like she was made of gold. He fussed over her endlessly, even sent a couple of maids to help her pack. But Summer, wearing her signature dopey smile, waved them off.“Daddy, Summer wants to pack by herself! That way, big brother will think I’m really good at this and like me even more!” “Haha, of course, sweetheart. You’re always right,”Charles chuckled, straining to sound sincere.“Daddy’s so proud to have such a clever girl.” It was the first time he’d ever praised her… but the fake sweetness in his voice almost made her gag. The man had a real talent for being disgusting. Summer gave him a clueless grin before hopping upstairs like an overexcited bunny. As soon as she turned the corner, her smile vanished. A cold glint flashed in her eyes. She slipped into her room and began packing, but her full attention was on the silence around her. Then—the faintest rustle by the window. Summer’s ears perked up. Right on time. A slim figure slipped inside through the open window. Grace. “Miss Summer, what do you need me to do?” Grace was sharp enough to guess that if Summer was arranging a secret meeting like this—being fully honest about who she was—there had to be a request behind it. And only after it was done… would she get what she wanted. Summer didn’t waste words. Stepping close, she leaned in and whispered directly into Grace’s ear. As soon as she finished, Grace’s delicate brows furrowed, and her face tightened.