I jerked my head up and instinctively looked toward the door. My hope collapsed the moment it swung open because it wasn't Dad who had arrived.

At the front stood a young man, maybe even younger than me, his gaze sharp and menacing. A few others followed him quietly. "Mr. Greven is still tied up with some matters. He'll be here shortly."

Still, I recognized him immediately. He was Billy Newman, the grandson of my old butler.

Norris rushed forward, his head slightly lowered in a show of deference. "Here she is, the one I brought. See? Looks just like the photo, doesn't she?"

Billy tilted my chin and compared my face to the photo. "Huh… They really are identical."

I stared at the photo and felt a cold certainty. Dad wasn't looking for his long-lost mistress—he was looking for me. That photo was of me from five years ago.

"Billy, it's me! I—" I screamed, pouring all my strength into my voice, hoping he would recognize me.

A tight slap landed across my face. "Quiet! This isn't your place to speak! And how do you know my name?"

I froze, disbelief and shock burning in my desperate eyes. "You don't remember me? I'm—"

And another slap.

He clasped around my neck, each finger tightening and threatening to crush my bones. "I don't care who you are! I hate scheming bitches like you the most! It's because of women like you that my life is ruined!"

As he spoke, he kept slapping my face as if to vent his anger.

I felt like the ground had dropped out from under me. My heart sank to the very bottom. This was bad—he didn't remember me at all.

Billy was the grandson of Patrick Newman, the butler at the Greven residence. When we were kids, we played together. As he grew up, however, he squandered his time on gambling, drinking, and partying.

His father sent him abroad, and we hadn't seen each other since. He must've only returned recently, completely unaware of what had happened in the past.

Seeing me in a mess, Norris finally stepped in. "Billy, is it? Don't ruin her face, please. I'm sure Mr. Greven likes her because of her looks…"

Billy let go at last. I drew in a deep breath and coughed violently, finally able to breathe freely. "I know you, Billy. I'm telling… the truth. You may not remember, but I'm Mr. Greven's—"

Before I could finish, he cut me off with a kick to my stomach. "Trying to bluff your way in? Do you think we'd believe a word from someone like you? If you want to have anything to do with the Greven family, try again in another life."

My body automatically curled up in pain, and I could hardly utter another word. My pathetic state prompted a cold laugh from him. "Hand me the scissors. I'll cut off her tongue and stop her from spouting more nonsense."

His subordinate actually handed him a big, sharp pair of scissors. The cold glint reflecting from the blade frightened me so much that I shook my head vigorously. "No, please, don't!"

Billy was unfazed. He ordered his subordinates to pry open my mouth.

Just then, a ringtone pierced through the tense air. One of them answered the phone, then reported to Billy, "The auction is over. Mr. Greven is almost here."

"You're lucky this time," Billy said with a malicious glare, then put away the scissors.

Just as I was counting my blessings, I noticed his gaze sharpened again. A second later, he drove the scissors—the ones he'd just put away—straight into the back of my right hand. The blades tore clean through my palm.

My wail of agony reverberated through the dark room.

"Oh, shut it. If you don't obey me, I won't hesitate to chop off your hand."

He instructed his subordinates to seal my mouth. They gagged me with a tattered cloth, then taped my mouth shut.

I couldn't make a sound. All I could do was watch helplessly as blood oozed endlessly from my palm.

"That should shut you up," Billy remarked, smug and satisfied.

At that moment, the door was pushed open. A tall, imposing figure emerged, staring grimly at the scene.

I barely managed to make a sound before Victor and Agatha clamped their hands over my mouth, holding me firmly in place.

Billy immediately dropped his arrogant attitude and stood at attention, respectful and alert. The Chapmans shrank back, holding their breaths, and lowered their heads in fear.

All of a sudden, the room seemed to be swallowed by an oppressive weight. Dad donned a deep blue coat, his gaze sharp, his presence cold and commanding.

He frowned slightly, as if catching the stench of blood in the air. "Why was I brought here? Haven't I made it clear that I have no interest in these shady dealings?"

Everyone in the room stood firmly in front of me, blocking my view.

Billy hurried forward, lowering his head respectfully. "Mr. Greven, they came to offer you a woman."

"Ridiculous."

Dad's voice was cold, completely devoid of warmth. He didn't even spare them an extra glance. "Next time, don't bother calling me for these matters. It's a waste of time."

With that, he turned to leave.

Norris panicked, rushing forward with an ingratiating smile plastered across his face. "Mr. Greven, don't go just yet! I promise, this woman is exactly like the mistress you've been looking for!"

Dad stopped. The air around him seemed to drop in pressure. He barked, "I've never sought a mistress, so you'd better stop insulting me here! In all my life, I've been faithful only to my late wife!"

Norris staggered back, clearly intimidated.

Seeing his last hope slipping away, he turned his venomous gaze toward me. "Billy, what do you think of this woman? Since Mr. Greven isn't interested, maybe you can take her for… fun?"

Billy licked his lips, eyes glinting with lewdness. "Not a bad idea. Make me an offer."

I watched Dad's figure grow smaller as he walked away, my heart clenching as if gripped by an icy hand.

Despair surged over me like a tidal wave. I knew this was my final chance. If I missed it and fell back into the hands of these monsters, I had no doubts that things would be even worse.

I couldn't let it happen—not until I fought till the end.

I looked at the pair of scissors buried deep in my hand and knew it was the only reachable item available. Enduring the excruciating pain, I clenched my jaw and pulled out the scissors with my left hand, blood squirting incessantly.

Then, with all my remaining strength, I tossed the scissors into the air. They landed on the floor, the clang quickly gathering everyone's attention.

At last, Dad noticed me. The moment I looked up, I met his eyes.

Billy reacted swiftly. Fuming, he was ready to land another kick on me. "Bitch, I told you to stop moving!"

Before he could do so, Dad bellowed, "Hold it!"