Chapter 1 The Jackmans' Car

• "Catch her!"
• "Don't let her run away!"
• "If we tick off Mr. Walsh, we're all in big trouble!"
• In the poorly lit parking lot around one or two in the morning, Freya Lambert hunched down, dodging the people chasing her.
• The middle-aged man heading the pursuit was her real father, who had handed her over to Kelsey Walsh that night!
• Having barely slipped away from Mr. Walsh's grasp, there was no way she'd let herself be captured again!
• "Look in that direction!"
• While the crowd scoured the lines of cars, Freya's heart pounded with fear. With pursuers ahead and a wall at her back, she was trapped with no escape!
• In her panic, the previously silent black car beside her abruptly opened its door. A powerful hand emerged from within, yanking her into the vehicle.
• Ah!
• Freya almost screamed, but quickly clapped her hand over her mouth, remembering her father's men were just outside.
• Though panicked, she could see in the faint light that the man who had pulled her into the car was young, with sharp, serious features.
• The guy's eyes were bloodshot, his face strained. In a low, raspy voice, he asked, "150 thousand, deal or no deal?"
• "Wha ... what?" Freya stammered, not comprehending.
• For a moment, the man's face reddened, and then he seemed to lose control, ripping at her clothes as he moved in to kiss her.
• "No ... please ... don't ... " Freya instinctively pleaded, but he silenced her by covering her mouth.
• The sounds of struggle from inside the car quickly caught the attention of those searching for Freya outside.
• "Hurry! There's noise over there! Pry that door open! If someone else takes her virginity, how am I supposed to explain it to Mr. Walsh?"
• As soon as he finished speaking, nearly everyone rushed over.
• Freya's white shirt was already torn open, and the man's large hands were forcefully groping her.
• With his palm over her mouth, he hesitated for a moment, his voice low and alluring, "Just behave, and I'll take care of everything."
• Freya felt her heart drop entirely. She had wanted to say no, but her father's words replayed in her mind. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she clutched the man's arm, nodding through her sobs.
• "I agree! Just don't let them take me. I'll do anything you want!"
• Seeing no response from inside the car, the people outside started banging on the door with tools.
• However, the man inside the car seemed unaware of the chaos outside, continuing to kiss and touch Freya.
• Just as the sturdy window was on the verge of breaking, the middle-aged man leading the group suddenly spotted the unusual license plate on the front and gasped in alarm.
• "Stop!"
• "This is the Jackmans' vehicle!"
• "Run!"
• The group paused for a moment, quickly realising the seriousness of the situation. They dropped their tools and rushed outside, fleeing as if chased by a flood or a wild beast.
• Meanwhile, the man had stripped her completely, breaking through her last line of defense.
• A wave of pain and humiliation washed over Freya, causing her to grit her teeth. She quickly shut her eyes, trying to block it all out.
• On her eighteenth birthday, she had lost everything, her home, her father, and her virginity.
• ...
• Four years later.
• In a rented house on the outskirts of Bosneau.
• Freya walked in and saw toys scattered all over the floor. A boy and a girl were playing on the spotless wooden floor, their laughter echoing through the room.
• Hearing the door open, the two kids immediately stopped what they were doing and ran towards her with excitement.
• "Mommy!"
• "Mommy!"
• Dressed in a pink princess gown with her hair in a bun, Jasmine darted into Freya's embrace, clinging to her like a little koala.
• Winston, dressed in stylish overalls, stood coolly nearby. His face was serious, but his eyes betrayed his excitement.
• "Mommy, how was work? We found you a very handsome guy! I want him to be our dad. Can you meet him, please? You promised to find us a dad when we return home."
• Jasmine spoke in a childish, playful way, making it hard for Freya to say no.
• She had come home to get back at her father. If he hadn't tried to sell her to an old man, she would not have lost her virginity.
• When it came to finding a father for her two kids, she needed to consider it thoroughly.
• "Alright, I guess I can give it a try," Freya said, before planting a soft, affectionate kiss on Jasmine's cute, cuddly cheek.
• "Mom, this guy is different. You have to take this seriously. Maybe he could be the dad me and my sister have been looking for!" Winston, despite being young, spoke with a surprising depth of thought, his demeanour both handsome and composed.
• "Alright, I understand. I'll do my best to find you a father as quickly as I can. But please, can you stop setting up blind dates for me online? It could be dangerous if we encounter bad people."
• "Mommy, don't try to avoid the topic. You've avoided it 121 times ... "
• Winston's large, dark eyes bore into Freya, leaving her feeling a bit flustered. She sighed and said, "Fine, fine, I promise I'll get it done this time."
• The following morning, Freya was woken up by her two adorable kids.
• "Mom, get up quickly! I've picked out a dress for you. You need to look stunning today and find us a father!"
• Freya, rubbing her sleepy eyes, asked, "Winston, where did this dress come from?" She looked at the stunning gown, feeling instantly more alert.
• This dress looked pricey. Given their financial situation, how could they afford such a luxurious item?
• "Mom, quickly put it on! The children's clothing store where I model sponsored this dress. It's free, so don't worry!"
• "Mom, want me to do your makeup? My teacher, Tony, says my skills are as good as international artists!" Jasmine offered excitedly, approaching with her tiny makeup kit, eager to begin.
• "It's okay. I can handle it myself. You two go ahead and do your activities. Just behave and follow Ms. Joan's instruction while I'm gone."
• "Alright, Mom, don't worry!"
• Freya felt a bit anxious. Her two children seemed so different from her, each one exceptionally smart and talented.
• She had originally sent Jasmine to painting classes, but it turned into makeup lessons instead.
• The remarkable thing was that both children had been accepted as private students by a renowned international expert. She didn't want to be outshone by her kids.
• After trying on some outfits in the fitting room and putting on a touch of makeup, she aimed to keep things simple, just enough to please the children.
• Before long, she was ready and set out.
• Her son had planned a date at Table 28 in the Western restaurant on the 10th floor of the Concorde Hotel at 10:30 AM.
• Checking the time, she opted to take a taxi.
• In no time, she reached the restaurant.
• Upon entering, Freya noticed two men bowing deeply, shaking and looking down, clearly filled with fear.
• The man facing away from the entrance lounged in a chair, his long arms draped over the backrest. While he appeared casual and at ease, a chilling presence surrounded him, creating a tense atmosphere in the restaurant.
• His thin fingers gently grasped a crystal glass, which made a sharp clink, causing the two men's hearts to race at the sound.
• "Mr. Henry ... we made a mistake!"
• The two men scrambled towards Henry Jackman, leaving wet marks on the floor as they crawled.
• "Mr. Henry, please have mercy! We had no other option!"
• With several loud thuds, they slammed their heads against the ground, and the scent of blood quickly spread throughout the restaurant.
• Yet, no one in the restaurant dared to speak, pretending not to notice the scene unfolding.
• "Ah!"
• Freya gasped at the sight, her scream drawing the attention of everyone present, except the man on the sofa.
• He leisurely swirled his crystal glass, the red wine clinking softly against the glass, glistening like blood in the light. Then, he downed it in one swift motion, his voice chilling.
• "Get rid of them, and ensure I never see them again!"
• Freya assumed the man was referring to her, her heart racing and nearly screaming once more. Thankfully, she covered her mouth and stifled the urge.
• Then she noticed several men in black standing in the corner, taping the mouths of the two kneeling men and forcefully dragging them away.
• Filled with fear, Freya wanted to turn and escape.
• I don't care about the date anymore! My life's at stake here!
• Just as she turned around, her foot barely lifted, and a sharp voice called out from behind.
• "Hey! What are you doing here?"
• At this time, the man who appeared to be an assistant moved closer to them from beside the sofa.
• Freya's heart raced with fear, her legs shaking uncontrollably. With no other option, she gradually stepped back.
• "I ... I'm here for a blind date."
• After speaking, Freya bowed her head and attempted to turn around to locate Table 28, hoping it would make her feel less uncomfortable.
• But after searching inside and out, she still couldn't locate Table 28. Eventually, she turned around and noticed the man seated in the leather chair near the entrance, then checked his table number.
• Her legs trembled as she stammered, "Ex ... excuse me, Sir, this is my table. Are you sure you're not in the wrong spot?"
• "Oh, is that so? I'm here for a blind date as well, and I booked Table 28 too."
• Freya froze on the spot.
• What is happening? Did my son mix up the table number?
• He's pushing me into the lion's den. This is going to be the death of me!
• She took a deep breath and looked up at the man.
• His features were striking and illuminated perfectly, making him look like a celebrity.
• His straight nose and thin lips, along with slightly furrowed brows, combined with the way he lounged with his long legs crossed, created an air of relaxed laziness. Yet, there was something undeniably sharp and commanding about him that demanded attention.
• His piercing gaze made her feel a sense of familiarity.
• She shut her eyes, trying to remember.
• Suddenly, her heart pounded. Wasn't ... Wasn't he?
• Wasn't he the guy who raped her four years ago?