Chapter 5 Sisterly Betrayal

• Serena’s face changed instantly when she heard those words. She instinctively raised a hand to cover her neck.
• “You already got kissed—what’s the point in hiding it now?” Chloe scoffed. “You’ve got the guts to do it but not to admit it?”
• Vivian caught the look of guilt on Serena’s face and suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me… you’re out here selling yourself?”
• “Shut up!” Serena shouted, her voice sharp and trembling.
• Vivian was momentarily startled, then gave a mocking laugh. “Touched a nerve? Guess I hit the mark, didn’t I?”
• “You’re selling your body?” Chloe gasped, looking genuinely disgusted. “You’ve completely embarrassed Dad…”
• Humiliation and rage surged through Serena. She snapped and lunged at them, slapping and pushing. “Shut up! Both of you! You’re nothing but manipulative witches!”
• “Who are you calling a witch?!” Vivian and Chloe shouted in unison and shoved her hard.
• “Aah—!” Serena stumbled and crashed to the ground.
• Just then, a familiar voice rang out:
• “What’s going on? Why aren’t you inside yet?”
• Richard Will walked up, his expression changing the moment he saw Serena.
• “You… what are you doing here?”
• Serena looked up at him from the ground, her voice cold and sharp.
• “Why can’t I be here?”
• Last night, he—her own father—had handed her over to Adrian without a shred of hesitation. Tossed her into hell like she was nothing.
• Richard’s face turned pale, then flushed red. He looked away, unable to meet her eyes. Words caught in his throat.
• “Enough talk—I’m starving!” Vivian huffed as she pulled Richard toward the restaurant.
• Serena remained on the ground, her hands clenched, watching their expensive shoes pass her by. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to grab a knife and stab straight through.
• Suddenly, she screamed,
• “Richard Will!”
• He froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned his head back toward her.
• She… she called him by name? No “Dad.” No hesitation. Just his name.
• “Am I your daughter?” Serena asked, her voice haunting and hollow.
• Richard’s face went ghostly white.
• “What are you looking at?! The steak’s going cold!” Vivian snapped as she yanked him toward the restaurant.
• Serena watched his retreating back, her tears falling freely. Pain and hatred twisted in her chest.
• Suddenly, a pair of golden heels stopped in front of her. She looked up to see Chloe, standing tall with her arms crossed and a cruel smile playing on her lips.
• “Why don’t you just go die with your mother?” Chloe said venomously, before stomping down hard on Serena’s hand.
• “Ahhh—!” Serena screamed in agony, curling on the ground, clutching her bleeding hand as Chloe strutted away without a second glance.
• “It hurts… it hurts so much…” Serena whimpered, her whole body shaking. People passing by started to gather around, whispering and staring.
• “What are you looking at?!”
• Adrian had returned. His sharp gaze swept over the crowd like a blade. “If you’re not helping, then get lost!”
• Startled, everyone quickly dispersed.
• He strode over to Serena and pulled her up from the ground. When he saw her swollen, scraped hand, his face darkened.
• “Who did this?”
• Serena collapsed against him, sobbing uncontrollably. She was in so much pain, she couldn’t even hear what he was asking.
• “I said—who did this?” Adrian repeated, his voice cold and dangerous.
• “It… it was Chloe…”
• “Chloe?” His eyes narrowed. Chloe Will? Perfect. She dared to touch his woman—she was going to regret that.
• “It hurts so much…”
• “Endure it.”
• Adrian brushed her off and started walking toward the restaurant.
• Serena swayed on her feet, staring at him in disbelief. She shouted, “I don’t want to eat anymore!”
• “What did you say?” Adrian turned, brow raised dangerously.
• She rushed over, clutching his sleeve, eyes wide with desperation.
• “Please—I’m begging you—let’s leave. I don’t want to go in. I can’t face them…”
• If Vivian saw her with Adrian, she’d assume the worst—that Serena had truly sold herself. And even if she had, she didn’t want Vivian to be right. She couldn’t stand hearing that woman’s cruel, smug voice confirming it out loud.
• Adrian glanced toward the restaurant—he couldn’t see Richard Will and his wife and daughter anywhere. Vivian had chosen a table tucked into a hidden corner on purpose, afraid Richard might worry about Serena. From the street, they were completely out of view.
• “Fine… just this once, since you’re hurt,” Adrian said coolly.
• He took her to the hospital first. After an exam, the doctor informed them that her bone was nearly fractured from the stomp. Adrian’s lips curled slightly with a cold sneer—Chloe Will, how dare you lay a hand on her when even he hadn’t done so.
• After her wounds were treated, they walked out of the ER. Serena glanced up at the inpatient wing, reluctant to leave. Her mother, Lily, was recovering upstairs. She wanted desperately to go see her—just for a moment.
• Adrian noticed the look in her eyes and generously said, “Go ahead. I’ll give you five minutes.”
• Serena hesitated, then shook her head. “No… I’d better not.”
• If her mother was awake and saw her like this, she’d worry too much.
• Adrian frowned and turned to walk away. “If you don’t want it, then don’t let me see that pitiful face again.”
• Startled, Serena clutched her bandaged hand and quickly followed after him.
• Adrian didn’t bother looking for another restaurant. He just drove them straight home.
• When they got to the villa, Serena noticed that the lights were already on, which surprised her. She remembered being there alone earlier—was someone else living here?
• As they entered, a plainly dressed middle-aged woman approached them and said respectfully, “Sir, you’re back. I’m Miss Emily…”
• “I know,” Adrian cut her off with a wave. “Make dinner. Two servings.”
• “Yes, sir.” Emily headed to the kitchen.
• Adrian dropped onto the sofa and turned to Serena. “She’s the new housekeeper. From now on, she’ll handle all your meals. Starting tomorrow, my bodyguards—Achen and Ahua—will take turns following you. If you want to go out, they’ll drive. If you need something, they’ll buy it for you.” He paused, studying her with a faint smirk.
• “Though I doubt you’ll be going anywhere. You don’t really have anywhere to go, do you? So you’d better stay home and behave.”
• “My mom—” Serena tried to speak.
• “Go run me a bath,” he cut her off.
• She froze, caught off guard.
• He raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you hear me?”