anwhile, in a dimly lit mansion on the outskirts of Sumr City, Calvert Harrison dragged Lily by her hair down a flight of stairs.
The sll of sweat, blood, and damp stone filled the air. The mont the heavy basent door creaked open, Lily’s stomach twisted in fear.
The room was filled with an assortnt of objects—leather straps, chains, whips, and peculiar devices she didn’t even recognize.
So looked like torture instrunts, others... she didn’t even want to imagine their purpose.
Her breathing grew erratic.
What kind of monster was this man?
"No—no, please!" she gasped, struggling against his grip. "I don’t belong here! I—!"
Calvert ignored her, throwing her onto the bed. A sickening grin stretched across his face as he hovered over her.
"You were a mistake," he murmured, his fingers tracing down her cheek mockingly. "But don’t worry, I’ll still have my fun.
And once I’m done with you, I’ll get my hands on Aurora next."
Lily’s heart pounded. Aurora.
This psycho wanted Aurora.
She knew it. She knew that bastard daughter of hers was the reason for this.
A chill ran down her spine as cold sweat trickled down her body. Fear coiled tightly around her, but beneath it burned seething rage.
She ntally cursed her husband and Aurora—this was their fault. If she ever made it out of this hellhole, she would make sure they paid for it.
But before Calvert could do anything further, his phone rang.
With an irritated growl, he pulled the phone out of his pocket.
Whatever was said on the other end was clearly unpleasant—his expression darkened, and his gaze shifted to Lily with an eerie intensity.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Without a word, he ended the call, but almost imdiately, another one ca through.
This ti, amusent flickered in his eyes as he answered, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Well, well," he chuckled, his tone suddenly polite. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Brown?"
Lily’s eyes widened. Alexander Brown.
Hope surged in her chest.
She barely caught the conversation, but she could hear the change in Calvert’s tone, the way he suddenly grinned like a fool.
Was Alexander here to save her?
Did Veronica ask him to help?
Her lips curled in smug satisfaction. That’s right. My daughter is a smart girl. She must have gotten the news and gone straight to Alexander. He won’t let anything happen to .
Calvert humd in response to whatever Alexander was saying on the line. "Oh? You want her back?
"Sure, I’ll hand her back to you," "Untouched" he said with a cold smile, his voice laced with amusent. "But I want Aurora in her place."
He let out a low, dark chuckle before adding, "Oh, and thanks for the deal—handing the South City project as well. That was generous of you."
In Sumr City’s business world, Alexander was a na that commanded fear—but not for Calvert. He was old-school, a man whose empire and influence rivaled Alexander’s.
He saw no value in needless conflict.
After all, why make an enemy when a loose end could be turned into an opportunity? In the end, profit was always the smarter choice.
Hearing the conversion, Lily’s smirk deepened, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. Of course, Alexander would save her.
Soon, she would be the mother-in-law of Alexander—the man who ruled over Sumr City’s business world.
And now, the once-proud and untouchable Calvert, that old bastard, would have no choice but to bow to her, treating her like royalty.
The thought alone sent a thrill through her.
Back at Brown Group headquarters, Derek entered Alexander’s office, his expression grim.
"Sir," he started, placing a folder on the table. "We couldn’t find Aurora."
Alexander’s fingers stilled. "What do you an?" His voice was icy.
Derek swallowed hard. "We checked the university, her usual places, even attempted to track her down through her car’s license plate.
But..." He hesitated before adding, "The plate is registered under a high-ranking security clearance. We weren’t able to access it."
Alexander’s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing with growing frustration. Even Derek, who had seen it all, was taken aback.
They weren’t authorized to check the details? It was unheard of. He couldn’t shake the nagging thought that sothing wasn’t adding up.
Who in Sumr City could possibly be more powerful than the Brown Group?
And Alexander Brown himself? Derek’s mind raced. It was one thing if the Smith Group couldn’t find her—after all, they didn’t have the sa reach.
But the Brown Group? That was a different story entirely.
Derek’s confusion deepened while collecting the information but nothing was getting in his hands. Who the hell is backing the forr Mrs. Brown? His thoughts swirled with unanswered questions.
The Aurora he knew was weak, timid, and insignificant—a re shadow that people trampled without consequence.
But now... now she walked with an air of power, as if the world itself had rearranged its course for her.
Derek lowered his head. "It seems that... Mrs. Brown has soone backing her. Soone powerful."
The air in the office grew colder.
Aurora.
How could she have soone protecting her on such a level?
His grip tightened around his pen, his mind reeling. Just who the hell was shielding her?
His gaze flickered toward Veronica, who was still sniffling quietly in the corner. Her performance was flawless, but for so reason, a nagging suspicion tugged at the back of his mind.
"Mr. Brown..." Veronica’s soft, pitiful tone cut through the silence.
Alexander’s gaze shifted toward her. She was biting her lip as if struggling to speak, her delicate fingers curled tightly around the hem of her dress.
"Well... it seems that she will co to my school tomorrow for the test." Veronica hesitated, then continued carefully.
"We can talk to her there and persuade her to speak to Mr. Harrison... to leave my mother alone."
A heavy silence followed.
Alexander’s gaze was unreadable as he observed Veronica. He didn’t like feeling manipulated, and yet, Veronica’s suggestion made sense.
"Fine," he said coolly. "We’ll talk to her tomorrow."
Veronica’s lips curled ever so slightly.
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