Chapter 1

It took seven days to scrape together the ten-million-dollar ransom. After my release, I returned home to find William pinning Sophie against the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, groping and thrusting into her with animalistic fervor. "I got you that necklace you wanted at the auction, sweetheart. It was only 100 million dollars—practically couch change." I stood at the door, my face impassive. So, William had deliberately let the kidnappers hold me captive and torture me longer than necessary. Every part of my body hurt, from the bone where the screw had been roughly hammered in, the skin on my back that had been whipped open, to the scars that still marred my hands. But none of those mattered. I was about to quietly back away from William's office when I heard an icy, "Stop right there." William looked away from the deed he was doing long enough to glance in my direction. "A new cafe opened downstairs, and Sophie's been wanting to try its menu. Since you're back, go and get her something to drink. Be back in ten minutes." He ordered me like it was second nature, and I nodded with the same grace. It took me nine minutes and 42 seconds to return with 12 different drinks, ashen-faced. Sophie had already put on her clothes, though she left her shirt collar wide open to flaunt the hickies decorating her skin. My arms, weighed down by the takeout bags, were marked with red, newly scabbed-over gashes. "You took so long that the drinks went cold," Sophie grumbled. After I reheated the drinks, she picked one up and pretended it slipped out of her fingers. She gasped loudly as the hot liquid splashed onto my wounds. Upon hearing the commotion, William hurried over, scanning my face briefly before checking on Sophie like a fussy mother hen. "Were you scalded?" She nodded dejectedly, and William poured the rest of the hot drink on my head. "This is your punishment for messing up a simple task, Giselle." Droplets of hot coffee trailed down my bangs and into my eyes, blurring my vision. I couldn't get a good look at William's furious expression, but two seconds later, I lowered my head in deference. "I'm sorry." His expression hardened even more despite my apology. William was slated to attend a dinner party that night. In the past, I was his only plus-one when it came to such social events, but this time, he brought Sophie along. He must like her a lot. To conceal my scars, I picked out a long dress with sleeves that reached my wrist for the dinner party. William frowned at my choice of attire. "Why wrap yourself up like a burrito?' Before I could explain, he added, "Forget it. You're only tagging along tonight as a foil for Sophie anyway. You won't have to work the crowd for me like you used to." The brightly lit hall was packed to the brim, and a constant stream of guests milled around William to clink glasses with him. Sophie hid behind him like an innocent bunny, muttering, "William, I can't drink…" "Don't sweat it, sweetheart. Someone else will drink for you," William reassured her softly. I silently took glass after glass of wine and champagne from William's collaborators. I used to drink only on William's behalf, but now, I had to look out for Sophie, too. A burning sensation filled my stomach, which spasmed as it ached. I'd only just frowned in pain when William, perceptive as ever, caught my discomfort. "I thought you were great at holding your drinks, Giselle. You only had about a dozen glasses or so. Surely you can do better." The portly man standing across from William chuckled. "That's right. Ms. Harlow's hearty drinking is renowned in the circle! Come on, Ms. Harlow, don't embarrass me now." William eyed me stonily. "Apologize to Mr. Waterhouse, Giselle. Don't bother showing up at work tomorrow if you can't do as he says tonight." Upon hearing this, the man to whom William referred as "Mr. Waterhouse" began to leer at my chest. "Mr. Carter, you already have a lady to keep you company. How about you let me have Ms. Harlow for the night?" With Sophie tucked closely against him, William stared at me evenly. "What do you think, Giselle?" "Whatever you say goes. I have no comment," I replied. A dark look registered on William's face. Suddenly, he hurled his wine glass on the floor and stormed out of the hall without so much as a backward glance. Sophie glared at me, then hurried after him. Frederick Waterhouse—Mr. Waterhouse's full name—dared not make a move after William's outburst startled him. He glanced at me hesitantly, unsure if William had permitted him to have me for the night. I downed the rest of my drink dispassionately. "I hope you'll take this as my apology." "Ms. Harlow, about tonight…" He had only just made the suggestion when a coppery taste filled my mouth. I coughed up blood before I could stop myself.