The words struck Lilian like lightning. Shock and fear surged through her. She forced a laugh, brittle and hollow, trying to mask her panic. "Perry, please… that's not funny. You're surrounded by beautiful women all the time. You haven't had enough yet. Don't mention marriage now."
Perry's smile faded. Disappointment clouded his face. He had pampered her, indulged her, and in his mind, she should have developed feelings for him by now. He expected her to be happy at his proposal. But the fright and unwillingness in her eyes did not escape him.
His voice turned cold. "You're right. There's no use in obtaining a marriage certificate. I may get tired of you soon… and auction you out in the underground market."
---
Lilian's heart clenched. For a fleeting moment, she had thought Perry truly loved her. She laughed bitterly at her own naivety. How could I believe he would ever fall for me? She had even considered escaping without stealing from him, hoping to leave quietly. But his words reminded her of the truth—she was nothing more than property.
As Perry pushed his chair back, preparing to leave without eating, panic surged through her. She couldn't afford to lose this perfect moment. She quickly grabbed his hand, hugging him tightly.
"Perry," she said, her voice trembling yet filled with feigned excitement, "is it true? Do you really want us to marry tomorrow?"
---
Perry looked into her eyes suspiciously. At first, she had rejected the idea, but now she seemed joyful. Was her happiness real? The sparkle in her eyes didn't look fake. His heart softened. A charming smile crept across his lips.
As expected of women, he thought. Always playing hard to get.
His smile deepened. He bent down, kissing her hungrily. Lilian responded just enough to keep him convinced, then whispered through the kiss, "Perry, let's eat first… before the food gets cold."
Perry, now in a good mood, nodded. He sat back down, eating while watching her face. He misunderstood her joy, believing it was because of his proposal. But Lilian's excitement had nothing to do with marriage—it was because he was finally eating the food she had laced.
---
Lilian quickly gulped her own meal, her nerves on edge. Perry ate heartily. She feared he might grow suspicious if he suddenly felt drowsy at the table. So she stood, pulling him up with a playful smile.
"Let's go rest," she said sweetly. "Then I'll give you a very powerful blow job."
Perry's eyes lit up. Rarely did Lilian take the initiative. His expectations soared. He let her lead him to the bed, collapsing heavily onto it. He pulled her into his arms, murmuring, "Come here. Let me hug you and sleep."
---
Lilian obeyed, lying still as his arms tightened around her waist. She closed her eyes, pretending to drift off. She knew Perry well. If he had even a shred of doubt, he would fight sleep, watching her closely. If she didn't fall asleep, he would set his alarm, summoning guards to surround his door until he woke.
So she remained motionless, breathing deeply, feigning slumber.
Perry, meanwhile, struggled. Sleep pressed down on him heavily. Why am I suddenly so tired? Suspicion flickered. Was there something wrong with the wine?
He knew Lilian hadn't fully accepted him. He knew she never would, not while he kept her against her will. Yet he couldn't stand her rejection. He had resolved to threaten her, to force her submission. Still, he dreamed of her truly loving him, bearing his child. If she gave him a child, even if he lost interest, he would never auction her.
Sleep finally claimed him. His grip loosened.
---
Lilian waited, her heart pounding. When she was certain he was far gone, she gently lifted his hand off her waist. She slipped out of bed, moving silently into the bathroom. She turned on the water tap, letting it run to mask any noise.
Quietly, she walked to the place where Perry kept multiple boxes of money in different currencies. She selected mint Euros, mixed with a few dollars and pounds. She had prepared for this moment.
She quickly changed into a servant's uniform she had stolen earlier, part of her escape plan. Wrapping the money in clothes, she placed it in a laundry basket. She donned a mask, coughing occasionally to avoid suspicion.
---
The laundry room was less guarded, especially at this hour—half past seven in the evening—when most servants were eating dinner. Lilian looked around. No one was there. She transferred the money into a large bag she had hidden inside the basket.
Her heart raced as she slipped out of the courtyard unnoticed. Outside, a taxi waited. She hurried inside, urging the driver to go fast.
Her destination: her biological father's house, where she, her aunt and cousin had lived for two decades.
---
As she suspected, Avery Macdonald was not home. She was likely at the club or gambling at a casino.
Yes, she was deceived by Avery Macdonald to work in the hidden white house, so she can raise money for her aunt medication. Her aunt, Pamela Vuitton raised her since she was a year and six months only. Then her parents all died in a car accident, leaving her all by herself.
Lilian entered quickly, heading straight for the things that mattered most. She gathered the house papers, the insurance documents her parents had invested in, and her credentials. Her parents had made her the next of kin, with the insurance due when she turned twenty‑two. She was twenty‑one now—barely a year away.
She clutched the documents tightly. This was her chance. Her escape had begun.