Chapter 2

Her stepmother’s voice crackled through the phone,full of surprise.“You finally came around?That’s great.We’ll hold the wedding next week—”

“Don’t rush,”Ariadnie cut her off,her tone icy.“If I’m marrying in place of your precious daughter,I deserve something in return.”

“I want the five buildings the Elizabeths own in the south of the city.And I’m taking my sister with me to the Paytons,”she said plainly.

Her stepmother exploded.“What did you just say?Those five buildings are worth a billion!I don’t care if you take your sister or not,but five buildings?That’s outrageous!”

Ariadnie let out a cold laugh.“If you don’t agree,then let Reagan marry that boy instead.”

Her stepmother ground her teeth.In the end,she could only spit out,“Fine.I’ll handle it right away.”

The Elizabeths and the Paytons had been mortal enemies for years—one controlling the south side of the city,the other the north,always at each other’s throats.

Now the Paytons were stronger,and her father needed their support.When the Paytons proposed a marriage alliance,if Ariadnie refused to go,the one marrying in would be the daughter they treasured most—Reagan.

They couldn’t bear to send Reagan into danger,so they set their sights on Ariadnie.

After hanging up,Ariadnie thought back to the night she had first met Rasper.It had been raining just as heavily as it was tonight.

That night,she had been drugged,and he had“saved”her—picked her up and carried her away without touching her.

When she woke up after a night on an IV drip,the first thing she saw was his pretty,doe-like eyes,almost stealing her soul.

“Hey,you’re awake?Why are you blushing?Don’t tell me you like me?”

From that day on,they had been together.

In the daytime,he was cold as ice,treating her politely but distant.At night,it was like he was addicted—holding her,wanting her again and again…

She used to think that was just his personality.

Now she knew—he hadn’t even been the same man.

“Ariadnie,you really are pathetic,”she murmured,a mocking smile tugging at her lips.

She should have known—aside from her mother,who died young,and the sister lying unconscious,no one in this world had ever truly cared about her.

She lit a slim cigarette.Smoke curled around her,blurring the redness gathering in her eyes.

Then her phone rang.It was the hospital.

“Ma’am,please come quickly.Your sister…she’s in critical condition!”

She flagged down a cab and rushed over.

When she arrived,the doctor’s face was grave.“Multiple organ failure…We’ve done everything we can.”

Her sister lay in the bed,pale as paper,her vitals dropping rapidly.

Ariadnie grabbed the doctor’s hand.“Isn’t there anything—anything at all—that can save her?”

The doctor sighed.“Just yesterday,the hospital received a batch of new medication.It might help the patient,but…

“The hospital is managed by Stallone Corporation.We need Mr.Stallone’s signature before we can use it.”

Ariadnie’s voice shook.“I’ll call him right now.”

Her hands trembled as she dialed Rasper.

The first call—he declined it.

The second time,he finally picked up,sounding impatient.“What is it?”

Over loud music,she heard Reagan whining beside him,“Rasper,I’m drunk…I feel awful.”

Ariadnie’s heart tightened painfully.She rushed to speak.“My sister’s organs are failing.Please,you need to come sign the approval—”

Before she could finish,he hung up.

The third time,after a long wait,he picked up again.

“Rasper,I’m begging you—come sign for the medication!”

The moment she spoke,soft,breathy gasp drifted through the line,followed by Reagan’s coquettish voice.“Not so hard…”

Rasper chuckled low.“You’re uncomfortable?”

Tears instantly welled up in Ariadnie’s eyes.Hot streams slid down her cheeks.Her voice broke.“Rasper!My sister is dying!Can you just—”

Her knees gave out,and she collapsed to the floor,shaking uncontrollably.“Can you please save her?”

One second.Two seconds.Three.

The machines beside her beeped wildly.

What she got instead was the cold,mechanical tone of a call ending.

When she dialed again,all she heard was a cold,impersonal message.

“The number you dialed is busy…”

Whatever light had been left in her eyes went out completely.She couldn’t hold back anymore—she broke down,sobbing uncontrollably.

Her sister was dying…and Rasper was in bed with Reagan.

Drowning in despair,Ariadnie clutched her sister’s ice-cold hand,praying over and over,“Please live…I can’t lose you…”

Five years ago,her sister had been chosen by the school to enter the national dance competition.She had been gifted,a rising star in the making.

But right before the competition,a rumor exploded online—claiming she had an improper relationship with a teacher.

The teacher’s wife accused her publicly.Classmates mocked her.Even their father cursed her,calling her disgusting and cheap.

Her sister had cried,fought,but never given up on the competition.

Every day,she had practiced for hours.

Until one night,on her way back from the practice room,she had been dragged into an alley and assaulted by a group of thugs.Photos of the attack had spread across the internet.

The school revoked her qualification and replaced her with…Reagan.

Afterward,Amina lay on the hospital bed,expressionless.She didn’t even cry.When no one was looking,she jumped from the rooftop.

Tears blurred Ariadnie’s vision.The pain in her chest felt like it would crush her ribs.

Her sister had been her lifeline—the one who raised her after their mother died,who cared for her,protected her,stood beside her every time she needed someone.

She prayed all night until her tears ran dry.

And then—a miracle.

It was as if her sister heard her prayers.Amina’s vitals stabilized.

Ariadnie finally exhaled,but her eyes were dark with hatred.

“Amina,I swear…everyone who hurt us will pay in blood.”

Just then,a message popped up on her screen.

She looked down.It was from the Paytons’notorious playboy—Reid Payton.

[You finally agreed to marry me?]

Everyone thought the Paytons had proposed the marriage just to crush the Elizabeths.

No one knew that the true ruler of the Paytons—the man everyone feared,the ruthless Reid—was already wrapped around her finger.Over the years,Reid has been pursuing Ariadnie,but Ariadnie has been in love with another scumbag.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed him.

“The wedding has to follow my terms.And the Stallones and Elizabeths will pay,”she said calmly,as if discussing the weather.

“No problem,”Reid replied.His deep voice carried a hint of satisfaction.“Anything you want,I’ll do.I told you long ago—Rasper doesn’t deserve you.”

She paused.“What I’m about to do…the Stallones won’t forgive.You—”

Reid laughed softly.“Baby,don’t worry.You have me.”

After hanging up,she opened her notes and wrote three lines.

[First:Termination of pregnancy.Say goodbye to the deception and betrayal of the past.]

[Second:Delete the video on Redmond’s phone.]

[Third:Make the Stallone brothers and Reagan pay in blood.]