Matthew crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and waved me over. I hesitated but went to him.

The second I got close, he shoved me down onto the couch. Pinning both of my hands above my head with one hand, he gripped my jaw with the other, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Amelie, if you want to save your father and Scott Group, you'd better learn to behave."

When did the pain really hit me? Was it when he forced me to drink until I threw up just because I needed the money?

Was it when Caleb had been groping me without a care, or was it now when Matthew threatened to use my most precious things against me?

Neither. It was when I looked into his eyes and found only boundless hatred swirling within.

"Yes."

I heard my own voice, low and shaky.

He gently patted my cheek. "That's more like it. Now, take off the jacket."

I stood up, leaving the jacket on the couch. A large expanse of skin was exposed, and I instinctively shrank back. Caleb's gaze was now more predatory…

After the music ended, Caleb pinned me beneath him. I turned my head to glance at Matthew, who sat less than two meters away, coldly watching everything unfold.

Suddenly, the scene shifted in my mind. In an instant, I was back at that class party, surrounded by people in the karaoke room, all eyes on us. Matthew, with bloodshot eyes, pressed me against the wall and said, "Amelie, don't you dare regret this!"