Looking at the girls’ profiles, I lowered my gaze. Some accounts really needed to be settled.

5.

I got to know James by chance. It was then that we discovered our goals aligned, so he handled the aftermath while I lured the bait. Luckily, the fact that I couldn’t feel pain worked in my favor. Otherwise, how could Lauren have seen me as a suitable candidate?

After arriving at James's apartment, he projected all of the Chester family's assets onto the wall.

"These are their partners. There's a charity event in a few days. It's organized by that woman. I believe you know what to do?"

I turned to him with a smile and replied coldly, "Do I need you to tell me how to do my job?"

"You'd better not let them catch you off guard. Don't act without my permission. Otherwise, you'll face the consequences yourself!"

With that, I took the documents in my hands and headed upstairs. We were just working together, but he actually started ordering me around.

In the bedroom, I looked at the girl on the first page of the document, my nose tinged with bitterness. A mixture of emotions arose in my heart. Was this fate?

6.

A few days later, I walked into the charity event, linking arms with James. After seeing the surprise in Lauren's eyes, I smiled and nodded at her. In her view, James was just a playboy. How could he truly cared for me?

However, her surprise faded quickly, replaced by a smile as she raised her glass to me, though her eyes were filled with warnings. I understood her message. My current identity was the daughter of the Chester family's. Sooner or later, I would return to their side, and if I disobeyed now, I would face endless torment later.

As the event began, I naturally sat next to Lauren, leaning affectionately against her shoulder while my smile didn't reach my eyes.

"Mom, I've heard some rumors these past few days. I wonder if you've heard them too?"

Seeing her confused expression, I continued, "They say I'm the 10th daughter the Chester family has found. But why haven't I met them?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Jack, holding a glass, spilled its contents everywhere. Lauren's expression darkened, and she tightly grasped my wrist.

"Don't ask about things you shouldn't. If you want to keep this identity... Jessica Chester, you need to know that without us, you're still that girl bullied in the bathroom. You'd better shut your mouth. Otherwise, I don't mind sewing it shut myself."

I curved my lips but didn't respond, choosing to look up at the stage. Just then, Lauren, as the person in charge, stepped up to speak. As she was about to begin, the screen behind her suddenly lit up, revealing a video.

In the flickering footage, a female voice resonated softly.

"Dear Dad and Mom, do you remember me? I am your daughter, Megan Bundred."

"The first daughter you publicly acknowledged."

"It's been so long. Have you missed me?"

At that moment, Lauren’s face turned pale as she stared at the big screen in a daze.

"Staff! What's going on? Turn it off quickly!"

Her sharp voice trembled slightly. Jack beside me shook with fear, unable to look up at the stage.

7.

Guests began to whisper, glancing at the flustered Lauren. Even the usually composed host stared at the screen in disbelief. Everyone knew of Megan's existence, but she had mysteriously vanished from public view. Lauren claimed Megan was sent abroad, but the words on the screen suggested otherwise. I smiled at the distraught Lauren, tilting my head.

"Mom, is this my sister? She's so beautiful. But where is she?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Lauren's venomous gaze landed on my face. She shot me a glare and then adjusted herself to explain everything, ultimately wrapping things up with her passionate speech.

Everyone thought it was just Megan’s prank. But James, who was sitting beside me, didn't share that view.

When he was about to stand up, I quickly pressed him down and said coldly, "The timing isn't right. Don't act impulsively. If you want to know the truth, be patient."

After that, I smiled and looked at Lauren as she walked off the stage.

"Mr. Shaw, I apologize for the commotion today. Can I have Jessica back with me for a night?"

Lauren looked exhausted. Jack quickly stood and wrapped his arms around her waist, frowning at me. "What are you waiting for? Are you that eager to become someone's mistress?"

8.

James looked at Jack in surprise. I hesitated for a moment, exchanged a glance with him, and then followed Jack out. It was the first time I had seen Jack speak so coldly, as if this incident had stripped away their usual pretenses.

I glanced at the two supporting each other in front of me and smiled. As soon as we entered the villa, Lauren's expression darkened immediately. She ordered the servants to search me for all my electronic devices and threw them into the trash right in front of me.

Before I could speak, Lauren mocked me coldly, "Jessica, you’re a sneaky one, aren’t you? Tell me, what benefits did James give you that you dared to embarrass me in public?"

I pretended to be shocked, tears welling in my eyes as I shook my head. "Mom, I really don't know about this. He told me I was the 10th daughter you found. I was scared so I asked you at the event. I was just afraid there might be another daughter appearing."

My voice trembled as I spoke. Jack, who had been frowning, pulled me up from the floor with a guilty expression.

"Alright, let's move on from this."

"And you, why did you have to let Jessica stay with James? Look what's happened now."

This was the first time I had seen Jack scold Lauren. Just as I was about to enjoy the spectacle, Lauren suddenly grabbed my hair and shoved me hard against a nearby table. The sharp pain in my forehead made my breath quicken.

At that moment, I heard Lauren's sharp voice, filled with malice. "You little wretch! I'll skin you alive right now! What are you still doing? If we keep letting her off like this, we're both dead!"

9.

The tingling sensation around my neck forced me to open my eyes and take in my surroundings. During the argument between Lauren and Jack, I had been knocked out. When I regained consciousness, the luxurious villa living room had turned into a damp, dark basement.

I squinted and looked around, finally focusing on a platform not far in front of me. It seemed like someone was lying on it, and as I blinked to see more clearly, the surrounding fog blurred my vision. Just as I was about to get up, a pair of green high heels suddenly appeared before me.

"The effects of the drug wore off so quickly. This is good. Before you die, you'll get to see my great masterpiece!"

It was Lauren. I raised my gaze slightly and asked coldly, "Do you really want to skin me alive? You’re so-called philanthropist and a tycoon. With so many drugs at home, is there a corpse lying on that platform too?"

"It looks like you’ve skinned the previous 10 girls, right?" I sneered.

Lauren was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't expected me to turn the tables so quickly. After all, in her eyes, I was still that girl who would kneel and beg her for mercy.