"Elena, you'd better hear me loud and clear—if you ever marry into my family, I will make sure your life is nothing but misery!"
Mrs. Cheng's shrill voice exploded behind her, but Elena didn't even bother to turn around. She tossed her hair back, plastered on a smile, and walked out without a second glance.
Who wanted to marry into the Chengs anyway? Whoever wanted it could have it.
She certainly didn't.
Everything she had just said had been deliberate—just to needle Mrs. Cheng.
Back then, they had all bullied her, bullied Sean. She had endured it all, silently, for years. But enough was enough.
Wasn't Mrs. Cheng terrified that a useless daughter of the Song family, one with no favor, would marry her son, bring no benefits, and hand over the family inheritance to the second branch instead?
Fine, then. Let her stew in paranoia for once.
Even if the unease only lasted a night, Elena would savor it.
"Did you get it done?"
Derek's call came soon after.
Elena narrowed her eyes at the night sky. "All taken care of."
"Mr. Cheng agreed to Felix and my sister. Three days from now, the Chengs will host a banquet at the old estate. Mr. Cheng will announce Felix and Sophia's engagement. You can rest easy, Dad."
Derek gave a cold snort. "You wouldn't dare lie to me."
Elena's smile was sharp, humorless. "Of course not. Sean's life is still in your hands."
Then she reminded him, her voice colder: "Don't forget what you promised me. Once Felix and Sophia's marriage is settled, we're done. You and your precious family will never bother me or Sean again."
When the call ended, headlights flared. A sleek Porsche screeched to a stop beside her.
The window slid down.
"Elena, get in," Felix called.
She pretended not to hear and kept walking.
He jumped out, rushing to block her path. "Grandfather sent me. If you don't get in, Elena, I'll have to stand here all night."
Elena exhaled sharply. She didn't have the energy to argue. Sliding into the passenger seat, she buckled up without a word.
Felix grinned as he climbed in after her, oddly pleased with himself though he couldn't explain why. "Where to? The Songs' house? Or Vivian's?"
"Home," Elena muttered, leaning her head against the cold glass, shutting him out.
Years ago, when Felix had fancied her, Mr. Cheng had come to the Songs to propose. Derek had used Sean as leverage, forcing her into an engagement she didn't want, just to climb up the Cheng family tree.
And now, Derek was doing the same again—using Sean to force her to back out, so Sophia could take her place.
In three days, when the announcement was made, she would officially be discarded. A worthless pawn.
But that was exactly what she wanted.
It meant she and Sean could finally be free.
Before that, though, she wanted to make one last trip to the Song house—to collect what was hers.
During the drive, Felix tried several times to start a conversation, but she cut him off sharply. "Felix, just… let me have a moment of peace. I don't want to talk."
Surprisingly, he listened. The rest of the ride was silent.
When the car rolled to a stop outside the Song villa, Felix said gently, "We're here. Go on in."
Elena glanced up at the lit windows on the second floor. "Not going to Sophia's room for a visit?"
An awkward shadow flickered over his face. "I've got things to do."
"Suit yourself."
She got out without looking back.
Soon after, she heard the Porsche engine fade into the night.
Sophia came clattering down the stairs in her pajamas, rushing past Elena without her usual sneer. No doubt chasing after Felix. Too late—he was already gone.
Elena shrugged and headed to her room. She didn't own much. She only needed to pack one thing: the five million Lucian had given her years ago.
She opened the closet, reaching for the suitcase—then froze.
Her blood ran cold.
The suitcase was empty.
Not a cent left.
Sophia's mocking voice echoed in her mind: "I found a suitcase full of money in my sister's room. At least a few million."
The memory of Sean coughing up blood surged back. Elena's vision went red.
"Sophia!"
She stormed out, dragging the empty case.
At the same moment, Sophia burst through the front door. The two of them locked eyes in the hall, hatred sparking.
They spoke in unison.
"Elena, why did Felix drive you home?"
"Sophia, where's my money?"
Elena snapped first. She lunged, fisting Sophia's hair, voice ragged with fury. "Where's my money? The cash in my case—what did you do with it?"
Sophia shrieked, clawing at Elena's hands, but she had no strength against her. "I spent it, alright? It was just five million. Why are you losing your mind? What, was it your hard-earned whore's money? Feeling heartbroken now?"
"You have no idea how much that money meant to me!" Elena's control shattered. She swung the empty case hard into Sophia's body. "Why don't you just die, Sophia!"
"Ahhh!"
Sophia screamed, stumbling. "Mom! Help! She's going to kill me—Elena's trying to kill me!"
"Sophia!"
"Miss!"
Lynn and the maids rushed in, prying Elena off. She struggled like a wild animal, eyes blazing, voice breaking. "Give it back, Sophia! Give me my money!"
The slap landed hard, snapping her head to the side.
Sophia stood panting, rubbing her stinging palm. "You dare hit me first? That money's Song family money—it's mine to spend as I please! And you—seducing Felix, humiliating me—tonight, I'll beat you to death, you filthy slut!"
She raised her hand high again.
"Bang—!"
The villa doors burst open.
A man's deep, commanding voice thundered through the hall:
"Touch my wife, and see what happens."
All eyes in the hall snapped toward the door.
A line of bodyguards in sharp suits stormed inside, their presence so imposing that the maids turned pale, shrinking back. Even Sophia froze, her mouth snapping shut.
It was Lynn who found her voice first. "Who are you people? Do you know this is trespassing? Get out before I call the police!"
The man leading them—a stern middle-aged figure—tossed a phone at her feet, his tone laced with disdain. "Go ahead. Call. Don't say my master didn't give you the chance."
His aura was suffocating. Derek wasn't around, and Lynn's bravado faltered, her voice trembling. "You… you'd better not get too arrogant. This is the Song residence, you know—"
He didn't even spare her a glance. Instead, his gaze shifted to Elena. Grabbing a maid by the collar, he barked, "Who struck Madam's face?"
The maid crumbled instantly, pointing a shaking finger at Sophia. "I-It was… Second Miss."
"How many slaps?"
"J-Just one…"
"You filthy little rat!" Sophia cursed, shoving the maid aside, then tried to hide behind Lynn.
But the bodyguard yanked her out with ruthless force. "The master said—anyone who lays a hand on Madam gets it back tenfold. Do it!"
"Wait—" Sophia's plea cut off with a sharp crack! A palm slammed across her cheek.
These were trained men. That single blow was enough to split her lip, blood spilling as she screamed, "Mom! Mom, help me!"
"Sophia!" Lynn rushed forward, only to be kicked brutally to the ground, clutching her stomach in agony.
Another slap followed. Then another.
"Ahhh! Save me! Mama, I don't want to die—"
Sophia's wails filled the villa, her face swelling grotesquely after just a few strikes. The servants stood trembling, no one daring to intervene.
Lynn scrambled to her knees, clinging to her daughter's legs, her voice shaking with terror. "Elena, please—please stop them! Sophia knows she was wrong. I was wrong. Just… just spare her, Elena, or they'll kill her!"
But the guards dragged her back, and the butler stepped forward. His polished shoes clicked on the marble as he approached Elena, his tone suddenly respectful, almost gentle.
In his tuxedo, he bowed deeply.
"Madam, the master sent me to bring you home."
Madam. The master sent me to bring you home.
Perhaps no words had ever pierced her heart so deeply.
Elena's throat burned, her eyes stinging. She whispered, "Alright."
"Elena! Help your sister!"
"Elena, I won't forgive you for this—you'll pay for this!"
Their shrill voices clawed at her ears. She glanced once at the pathetic, swollen faces of her stepmother and half-sister, then at the shattered, empty suitcase on the floor.
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she turned calmly. "Let's go."
Outside, a row of sleek black cars lined the driveway. The butler led her to a Bentley Mulsanne, pulling open the rear door.
"Madam, please."
Elena inclined her head and bent to enter—then froze.
The soft glow of the cabin lights bathed a man in shadow. Lucian sat there, long legs crossed, papers spread across his knee.
She hadn't expected him to come in person.
Sensing her hesitation, his dark eyes lifted. His brows furrowed, a trace of impatience flashing. "Get in."
She swallowed hard and slid onto the seat beside him.
The door shut, the driver took his place, and the convoy pulled smoothly away from the Song villa.
Lucian never looked at her again. His gaze stayed fixed on the documents in his hands, the only sounds in the car the quiet rustle of pages turning.
The silence pressed heavy on her chest, unbearably strange.
At last, Elena couldn't hold back. "Lucian…" she whispered.
His pen stilled mid-signature. He turned his head slightly, the light catching on the tear mole beneath his eye, lending his icy face a dangerous allure.
Before she could continue, the file snapped shut. His hand shot out, fingers clamping her chin, forcing her face toward his.
They were inches apart.
Her reflection swam in his eyes—dark, fathomless, storm clouds threatening to break.
Her heart slammed wildly, breath shallow, every nerve screaming.
He studied her for a long, suffocating moment. Then he laughed softly, cruelly. "Pathetic."
Releasing her, he returned to his papers as if she didn't exist.
Elena sat frozen, her mind spinning, until the butler's voice came from the front seat. "Sir, the tenfold punishment you ordered has been carried out."
"Mm." Lucian's reply was flat, without a hint of warmth.
Only then did she understand. His "pathetic" wasn't about her. It was about the slap she had endured in the Song house—an insult to him.
Still, he had sent people to rescue her, had avenged her humiliation. For that, she could only feel gratitude.
Though the money he'd once given her was gone forever. She could never repay him, never wash away the stain of that night. Perhaps it was better buried, locked forever in the depths of her heart.
Drawing a steady breath, she spoke quietly. "Lucian… thank you. For tonight."
"No need."
His cold gaze swept over her, not like a man looking at a woman, but like an owner inspecting property.
His lips curled in a faint, mocking smile. "Even when you beat a dog—you have to remember it belongs to someone."
Elena's blood froze in her veins.