Endless Night, Swaying Hearts

Victoria Calloway is the most pampered and radiant woman in the elite society of Dravenia. She's a gorgeous woman by nature—with just a glance from her alluring eyes, she can easily make heads turn. Everyone claims that the line of suitors attempting to woo Victoria can extend all the way to the moon and back. Unfortunately for them, Victoria never gives them the time of day. That is, until her best friend, Pamela Larkson, decides to place a bet with her. "Vicky, if you can capture the heart of my youngest uncle, Caden Larkson, you can pick any of my cherished cars from my garage!" Caden Larkson is the current head of Larkson Capital. He's known for his glacial personality and his disinterest in women. While he carries himself with a noble air, he's also extremely arrogant. To countless socialites, Caden is the unapproachable man whom they can only admire from afar. Rumors have it that no female lifeforms are capable of approaching him. But Victoria merely chuckles in return. She has never failed in obtaining whatever she wants in her entire life, after all. Alas, things don't progress in the direction she expects them to. Chapter 1 On the very day the wager was made, Victoria Calloway ran into Caden Larkson, who had been drugged. Victoria, who already had intentions of approaching him, unintentionally became his antidote by a fortunate coincidence. After that night, Victoria seemed to have chipped a crack into Caden's perpetually icy facade. For three years, they shared an intimate relationship. And with each intimate encounter, Victoria sank a little deeper. She began to believe that Caden, revered like a deity by others, belonged to her. It wasn't until that night that she realized she was wrong. After their moment of passion in the car, she noticed one of Caden's sapphire cufflinks had fallen off. So, she picked it up, intending to bring it to him. The door to the private room at the end of the hallway was slightly ajar. Just as she was about to push it open, she heard laughter and conversation from inside. "Fresh from the arms of your lover, Caden? Victoria's usually such an untamed wildcat, and she has no regard for anyone. But how is it that when she's around you, she's all soft and sweet? It makes me want a woman like her too! Just when are you finally going to marry her and bring her home?" Victoria halted mid-step, her heart tightening inexplicably. Then, she heard that familiar, chillingly calm voice. "She's just a bedmate. How can I marry her?" His words were light and airy, yet each word struck like an ice-forged blade, piercing straight into her heart until it was nothing but a mess of flesh and blood. An eerie silence fell over the room. Clearly, even his closest friends were stunned by the brutally frank label. After what felt like an eternity, someone cautiously broke the silence. "S-Surely not, Cade? It's been three years… Do you... Do you still have feelings for your first love?" First love? Victoria's mind buzzed, going completely blank. Caden… had a first love? She felt as though her very life had been sucked out of her as she stood numbly outside the door, listening as Caden gave a faint, affirmative hum. "Back when we broke up, she asked for three years. She said she wanted to try seeing other people, and she wanted me to try seeing other people too. And if we still loved each other after that, we'd get back together. "She's always been insecure and liked kicking up a fuss, so I just went along with what she wanted. Anyway, it's been three years now, and I've done my share of seeing other people." He paused, and when he spoke again, there was the faintest trace of something unmistakable—quiet, restrained anticipation. "It's about time she came back." Victoria felt as if she were struck by lightning. Her entire body went cold, and even her fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Those three years of intimacy, countless moments she thought they truly shared a connection, had been nothing more than his experiment? His way of "trying to see others"? "Then, what about Victoria? Given her fiery temperament, if she finds out—" Before the person speaking could finish their sentence, Victoria pushed open the door with a bang. Everyone in the room was startled, and they all turned toward the door in unison. Victoria stood there, her face frighteningly pale, a stark contrast to her burning red eyes. She ignored everyone else. Her gaze was locked, unblinking, on the man seated at the head of the table. Caden sat there in his impeccably tailored suit, posture straight, demeanor composed. Her sudden appearance drew not a flicker of surprise or panic from him. He was just as unshakable and calm as always. And it was that very composure that felt like the final handful of salt ground into her lacerated heart. Because if he had cared for her even a little, he could never have reacted this way. She walked up to him, staring at the face she had loved for three years, her voice hoarse. "Caden, don't you have anything to say to me?" He lifted his eyes, meeting her gaze calmly. "There's nothing to say. It's exactly what you heard. We were bedmates. I always thought you understood that clearly. "Pam made a bet with you that if you could win me over, you could pick any luxury car from her garage. Well, if the cars aren't enough…" He reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and drew out a black bank card. He pushed it gently across the coffee table toward her. "Here's a hundred million dollars. Consider it payment for three years of being available whenever I need you. From now on, we're done." With that, he stood up to leave. But the instant he passed by her, Victoria suddenly reached out and seized his wrist in a death grip. Her hand was freezing cold, knuckles white from the force. Caden halted. Then, he heard Victoria, someone who had always been so proud, use every ounce of her strength to force out each shattered, yet painfully clear word into the silent room. "But… I love you! I've fallen for you, Caden!" She didn't even know when exactly she had fallen for him. Perhaps it was that winter morning when she couldn't be bothered to put on shoes, and he crouched down, his warm palm wrapping around her icy ankle as he gently slipped the slippers onto her feet. Perhaps it was after her appendicitis surgery, when she woke disoriented with pain, and the first thing she saw was him by her bedside, faint shadows of fatigue under his eyes. Or perhaps, it was all those late nights when he came back from business dinners, carrying the faint scent of alcohol, but he would still remember her fear of thunder and draw her into his arms. All those fragments of tiny, ordinary moments had quietly built into a raging tide that drowned her completely. And now, he was telling her, so casually, that she had only ever been a bedmate? How utterly cruel, Caden! Just as Caden was about to speak, his phone buzzed. He took it out, and the screen lit up with a new message preview that flashed clearly in Victoria's line of sight. "It's been three years, Caden. I've tried, but you're still the only one I love. Let's get back together." In that instant, Victoria felt her entire world collapse. Caden's gaze lingered on the screen for a few seconds. Then, slowly, deliberately, he pried away her fingers that were clamped around his wrist. "I'm sorry," he said. "I can't say the same." With those final words, he turned and walked away without a backward glance. Chapter 2 Caden had made it clear that he didn't feel for Victoria romantically. So for the past three years, she had been the only one who'd foolishly invested real emotions into a play that he'd put up single-handedly. She stood frozen in place, staring down at her empty hand. The warmth of Caden's wrist still lingered, but now it burned like a branding iron against her skin. The very next second, she snatched an expensive bottle of whiskey from the table and smashed it to the floor with all her might. Everything in her line of sight—glasses, fruit platters, decorations—anything that could be broken became a sacrifice to her agony. The people in the private room were stunned into silence. No one dared step forward to stop her. She didn't know how long it lasted. Eventually, her strength gave out. She stood there, eyes hollow, face streaked with tears, yet a low, broken laugh escaped her lips. She had no recollection of how she even left the club. Outside, the night wind hit her wet cheeks, cold and sharp. She brushed the tears off her face roughly, flagged down a taxi, and rasped, "Follow that car up ahead." She had to see for herself who exactly this first love whom he carried in his heart for three years, the one she could never measure up to, was. The taxi driver, noticing the state she was in, asked no questions and simply stepped on the accelerator to catch up with the car up ahead. Caden, who was always so composed and drove with measured precision, was noticeably speeding tonight. Was he really that eager to see his past flame? The car finally stopped at the arrivals level of an international airport. Victoria paid the fare, stumbled out, and hid behind a pillar. She watched as Caden stood at the exit. Then, a woman in a flowing white dress, gentle and delicate in bearing, emerged, pulling a suitcase behind her. When Victoria saw the woman's face, she felt as if lightning had struck her twice over. It wasn't just because Caden opened his arms the instant the woman rushed toward him, catching her steadily and lowering his head to press a tender kiss to her hair with such tenderness. But rather, it was because the woman he held so preciously in his embrace was none other than Cassandra Calloway—Victoria's so-called older sister, the person she despised most in this world, and the one she never wanted anything to do with. Years ago, not even six months after Victoria's mother, Eunice Monroe, died in a car crash, her father, Hugh Calloway, had brought another woman home. That woman, Marjorie Cole, came with a daughter three years older than Victoria, and she was Cassandra. Hugh had explained that Marjorie was his first love and that Cassandra was his biological daughter. If Eunice hadn't forcibly taken him away back then, he never would have let his pregnant first love leave him. How ridiculously absurd that was. Victoria knew the truth better than anyone else. Back when Hugh was starting his business and desperate for funds, when he was barely able to afford meals, he had been the one who went to Eunice, who had pursued him for years. He promised to marry her in exchange for the Monroe family's investment. So, Eunice gave him the money and all of her love. And eventually, in that fatal car crash, she even gave her life to push him out of harm's way. Yet, what came of it? Eunice's body had barely gone cold when Hugh used her wedding gift and inheritance to marry his so-called first love. Caden could have loved anyone. Why did it have to be Cassandra? Victoria bit down hard on her lower lip until she tasted blood, but she didn't even notice. In her moment of shock, Caden had already taken Cassandra's suitcase and wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her toward the parking lot. As if possessed, Victoria hailed another cab and continued following them. Due to the close proximity, she could see clearly through the window how Caden turned to speak softly to Cassandra in the car ahead. He even reached over, with natural familiarity, to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. That kind of meticulous tenderness was something Victoria had never received in all their three years together. She felt as though her heart were being crushed slowly between millstones, the pain so sharp she found it almost impossible to breathe. She was still staring ahead, vision blurred by tears, when disaster struck at the next intersection. Screeching brakes and the sound of impact tore through the night. The taxi Victoria was in slammed into the car in front without warning, and then it was violently rear-ended by the vehicle behind with a deafening bang. The massive impact hurled Victoria forward. Her forehead smashed against the back of the front seat. Agonizing pain exploded through her skull as warm blood instantly poured down, clouding her sight. Amid the chaos and screams, through the shattered window, she saw the door of the familiar car swing open. Caden stepped out first. He hurried around to the passenger side, carefully lifted Cassandra out, and cradled her in his arms. He examined her for injuries, brows knitted tightly, his face filled with unmistakable pain. Holding Cassandra, he turned to leave the scene. But his steps halted briefly, and his gaze, by sheer chance, locked with Victoria's. She was trapped in the mangled backseat of the taxi, bloody and broken. In his eyes, which were always calm and unruffled, she caught a fleeting flash of clear shock. But it vanished in an instant. Cassandra, nestled in his arms, seemed to sense his brief pause. In her soft, feeble voice, she murmured, "Caden, what's wrong? Did you see someone you know? I'm fine. It's just a small scrape. If it's someone you recognize, you should go check on them… I heard a taxi was hit really badly…" After a few seconds of silence, Caden looked away from Victoria. "No, I don't know them. They are of no importance." With that, he held Cassandra tighter and strode away from the wreckage without a backward glance. Watching his resolute retreat, Victoria wanted to laugh, but tears mixed with blood streamed down her face. Of no importance. So after all these years, he had only ever viewed her as someone of no importance. Chapter 3 When Victoria finally woke up, she found herself in a hospital. A nurse was adjusting the IV drip on the back of her hand. When she saw that Victoria had woken up, the nurse said, "Ms. Calloway, you're finally awake. Your injuries are quite serious, so you'll need to be hospitalized for observation. You should also contact your family so someone can settle the medical bills." Victoria stared blankly at the ceiling, offering no response at all. The nurse repeated herself, "Ms. Calloway…" "The medical bills have been taken care of," a low, achingly familiar male voice sounded from the doorway. Victoria's head snapped toward the door. There stood Caden, impeccably dressed in a black suit. The nurse glanced between them, then quietly excused herself and left the room. Caden stepped inside. His gaze swept over the bandages on her body before he reached out, as though to touch her forehead. But Victoria turned away sharply to avoid his touch. "Mr. Larkson, you are a busy man. Why trouble yourself with visiting someone who is of no importance?" Caden's hand stilled midair. "Would anyone else come for you if I hadn't?" The words landed like the sharpest blade, slicing straight into the deepest wound she carried. Who else did she have, indeed? Eunice was long gone, Hugh had always favored his new family, and Marjorie was full of pretense. That house had long ceased to be her home. All Victoria could do was put on an arrogant and defiant front, pretending she needed no one and cared for nothing. For three years, it had been Caden who appeared every time she was in need. He had let her grow accustomed to relying on him, letting her mistakenly believe she had found a safe harbor. And now, he was the one shoving her back into the abyss with his own hands. Her heart was numb with pain. "Even if no one comes, I don't need you. You said it yourself—we're over! Mr. Larkson, I'm not that pathetic. Since you said that you don't have feelings for me, I'm certainly not going to throw myself at you shamelessly!" She drew a shaky breath, clinging to the last shreds of her pride, and lashed out without thinking. "You didn't actually believe I was serious about having feelings for you, did you? I was just talking nonsense. "You saw me as a bedmate, and I saw you as nothing more than a vibrator! Your skills were average at best! Once I'm better, there's no doubt I'll be looking for a better, younger one!" Caden frowned almost imperceptibly, seeing Victoria pretending to be fierce, though her eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears. Just then, a nurse hurried in. "Mr. Larkson, Ms. Cassandra's done with her checkup. She's been asking for you." Victoria reacted almost instantaneously, bristling at him and saying, "Go! Go to your precious first love, then! I don't need you here!" Caden looked at her in silence for several long seconds. When he finally spoke, his tone was distant. "I came to stay with you for one reason only. You're Pam's best friend, and she's asked me to look after you." Victoria couldn't hold back a laugh. It shook her whole body, tugging painfully at her wounds, yet it was nothing compared to the agony in her chest. She stopped laughing, lifting her tear-streaked face, her gaze icy and shattered. "Don't you worry, Caden. I'm not so delusional as to think that you'd be here for any other reason." Caden felt his heart clench. Something flickered in his deep gaze—something faint and fleeting, gone before she could grasp it. This was the first time he had ever seen Victoria cry. In the past, even when he pushed her to her limits in bed, only her eyes would redden before she would bite her lip until it bled, refusing to let even a single tear fall. Now, seeing her tear-streaked face, he couldn't help but frown even more. His Adam's apple bobbed ever so slightly, as if he was about to say something. But in the end, he said nothing. He simply turned and followed the nurse out of the room. Watching his resolute departure, Victoria could no longer hold it in and finally collapsed back onto the bed, letting silent tears soak into the pillow. She thought she would cry for a long time, but strangely, the tears dried up quickly. All that remained was a dead, icy stillness. In the days that followed, she stayed alone in the hospital, managing by herself. She suffered the pain of having her bandages changed, which made her break out in a cold sweat, and she also put up with tasteless meals all alone. Occasionally, she would overhear nurses whispering in the hallway about how fortunate Cassandra, who was in the VIP room next door, was. She heard them talking about how attentive Caden was, feeding her, accompanying her through the night, and treating her like she was his most precious treasure. Once, as she passed that room, the door was ajar. Through the crack, she saw Caden seated at the bedside, carefully peeling an apple while Cassandra leaned against his shoulder, smiling softly. The sight burned in her eyes, the pain blinding. Her heart seized and twisted violently. But she did not cry. Victoria's greatest strength had always been her ability to love fiercely and to let go of it completely when the time came. From that day on, she swore she would never shed another tear for Caden. The first thing she did after being discharged was apply for a visa. She couldn't bear to spend another second in this city anymore. Chapter 4 After securing her visa, Victoria returned home. The moment she stepped through the door, she came face-to-face with Marjorie—perfectly dolled up as always. Marjorie launched into her usual lecture the second she saw Victoria. "Vicky, so you finally decided to come back? You've been staying out all night for days on end! What kind of behavior is that for a young lady?" Victoria didn't even glance her way. Instead, she reached for the tall porcelain vase standing by the entryway and smashed it to the floor with all her strength. The sound was deafening, and shards flew in every direction. Marjorie let out a shriek and stumbled back a couple of steps. Victoria looked at her calmly, her strikingly beautiful face etched with contempt and iciness. "And who the hell do you think you are? How dare a home-wrecking mistress lecture me, the legitimate daughter? Remember this, Marjorie—as long as I'm still in this house, you will never be the lady of the house!" Her words were sharp, each one a precise strike, leaving Marjorie pale and trembling with rage. "Victoria! What on earth is wrong with you now?" Hugh burst out of the study at the sound, rushing to steady Marjorie before she could collapse. He glared at Victoria with fury. "The second you walk in, you turn the whole place upside down! Can't you behave for once?" Seeing Hugh protect Marjorie, Victoria felt nothing but disappointment and bitter irony. She sniggered. "I'm the one turning everything upside down? Fine. Just give me my share of the inheritance early, and I'll go abroad. I won't bother any of you ever again." Hugh froze, then quickly plastered on a mask of false concern. "What nonsense are you talking about? Go abroad? What would a young lady like you do out there? Stay here. This will always be your home. We're family—" "Family?" Victoria laughed as if she'd heard the greatest joke. "Stop the act, Hugh. You, her, and Cassandra—you're a family. My mother died, and with her, my home. Just give me my share. I want what's rightfully mine." Hugh's expression darkened. After a long silence, he offered, feigning sincerity, "I know you're upset with the family. How about this? I'll give you five million dollars first. You can go on a trip to clear your head—" Victoria scoffed, "Five million dollars? Hugh Calloway, everything you have today was built on the Monroe family's capital! On my mother's wedding gift! On the life she sacrificed to save yours in that crash! "And now, you're using my mother's money to support this mistress and her bastard daughter, living in a house my mother bought, and you think five million dollars is enough to pay off her only child? Have you no shame?" Struck in his most vulnerable spot, Hugh flushed with anger. "You! Fine! Tell me exactly how much you want. Just name it!" Victoria had come prepared. She pulled a document from her bag and recited the figures and stock holdings with cold precision. "You're insane! That's impossible!" Hugh exploded. "You're trying to take half of Calloway Corporation!" Unfazed, Victoria walked to the window, looking down at the yard below, her tone deceptively light. "No? That's fine. I've planted explosives around the villa. Either you agree, sign the agreement, and hand over what's mine, or we all die here today. Your choice." Hugh's eyes widened sharply. He pointed a trembling finger at her. "You… You lunatic!" "Yes," she said calmly, meeting his eyes without a trace of hesitation. "A lunatic driven mad by all of you." Hugh's expression turned ashen, and his breathing grew ragged as he stared at her, trying to gauge the truth of her words. In the end, raw fear of death won out over everything else. He collapsed onto the couch, a cold sweat breaking out. With a shaking hand, he signed Victoria's asset division agreement. "Now… Now go get rid of those bombs!" His voice trembled. Victoria picked up the agreement, carefully examined the signature, and a cold, mocking smile tugged on her lips. "Relax. There are no bombs. I lied. Just like how you lied to my mother to get her to marry you. Like father, like daughter." Only then did Hugh realize he'd been fooled. He was so furious he could hardly catch his breath. Pointing a finger at her, he sputtered for a couple of seconds, unable to form a complete sentence, "You… You…" Victoria had no more patience for him. She turned to go upstairs. "Stop right there!" Hugh called out, panting, struggling to contain his rage. "Cassandra is bringing her boyfriend home for dinner today! I don't care how you've acted before, but you will sit through this meal properly!" He emphasized his words, a clear warning in his tone. "Her boyfriend is Caden Larkson! You know the standing of the Larkson family in Dravenia! We cannot afford to offend them! Tame that rebellious streak of yours, and don't you dare cause any trouble!" Victoria's footsteps halted mid-step, and she went rigid. Caden was visiting? As Cassandra's boyfriend? The very next second, the front door opened. Cassandra walked in, arm in arm with Caden, a sweet smile gracing her lips. Chapter 5 "Dad, Mom, I'm home!" Hugh and Marjorie, who had only just recovered from her earlier shock, immediately plastered on bright, welcoming smiles. They hurried forward, fussing over Cassandra with exaggerated concern while greeting and scraping toward Caden with servile respect. Only Caden's gaze lingered on Victoria. His brows furrowed noticeably the moment he saw her. It seemed that he was only now learning that Victoria was Cassandra's sister. At dinner, Cassandra and Caden were seated on one side of the long table, while Victoria sat alone directly across from them. Throughout the meal, Victoria watched as Caden meticulously cut Cassandra's steak for her and refilled her glass, and when a dab of sauce stained Cassandra's lip, he naturally lifted a napkin to wipe it away. Marjorie beamed at the display. "Cassie, darling, how did you and Mr. Larkson meet? Tell me all about it." A delicate blush rose on Cassandra's cheeks. "It was at a charity gala. I saw a stray cat stuck in a tree and tried to help it down, but I slipped and almost fell myself. Caden caught me, and later, he asked for my contact." She finished, casting an affectionate glance at Caden. Victoria couldn't suppress a derisive snort. Cassandra had always hated animals. As a child, she'd even tortured Victoria's cat to death. The idea of her voluntarily rescuing a cat was absurd. Either this was a carefully staged performance by Cassandra, or she'd actually rescued the cat only so she could torment it later. Victoria's mocking laugh cut sharply through the quiet dining room. All eyes turned to her. Cassandra's expression faltered slightly before she smiled. "What about you, Vicky? Have you had any boyfriends these years? When will you bring him home to meet us?" Victoria's lips curved into a bright, dazzling smile. "Bring one home? Oh, I couldn't possibly." Cassandra tilted her head, puzzled. "Why not?" Victoria's grin widened, turning wild and unrestrained. Her gaze flicked meaningfully toward Caden before settling back on Cassandra's face. Her tone was deliberately light and teasing. "Because there are just too many. Unlike you, who's apparently so… lacking in charm that it took you three whole years to bring home just one." She drew out her words, like a carefree enchantress, "Just so you know, I've got suitors lined up from the front gate of the Calloway residence all the way to Beurreton in Avernia. Honestly, I couldn't possibly bring them all!" "Victoria!" Hugh's face flushed with anger, and he slammed a hand on the table. Marjorie seethed, her chest heaving. Cassandra looked wounded, and her eyes welled up as she turned a helpless gaze toward Caden. Caden set down his cutlery and calmly wiped his hands with his napkin. Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he reached over and took Cassandra's hand where it rested on the table. "You have no need to compare your charm to anyone else's, Cassie," he said quietly, his voice steady and certain. "In my heart, no one comes close to you. You are the best—unrivaled." The words landed like a final, irrevocable verdict, driving Victoria straight into an endless abyss. Cassandra's tears transformed into a smile of triumph as she clasped his hand back, her face radiant with happiness and quiet triumph. Victoria stared at their joined hands. Her heart felt as though it had been crushed in an instant—shattered so completely that she could barely maintain her mask of defiant arrogance. Chapter 6 After dinner, the family of four chatted merrily on the couch in the living room. Victoria had no desire to participate in their farce of domestic bliss and retreated to the garden. The evening breeze carried the coolness of early summer, but it did nothing to ease the suffocating weight in her chest. Not long after, Cassandra appeared in the garden as well, wearing a victor's smile, gentle yet piercing. "Enjoying the evening breeze alone, Vicky?" Her voice was soft, but her tone held unmistakable provocation. "To be honest, I know why you're upset. I've heard from others about what happened between you and Caden over the past three years." Victoria, who had her back to Cassandra, stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she did not turn around. "Truth be told, I was pretty worried when I first learned about it," Cassandra said, stepping beside her and examining Victoria's striking yet pale profile. "After all, you're such a beauty, Vicky. There'd hardly be any man who wouldn't fall for you. "What a pity, then, to be blessed with such a pretty face for nothing. Your mother couldn't win against mine, and you can't win against me either. Those three years were nothing more than a little charity I allowed you. Now that I've returned, it's time for you, the dupe, to bow out." Victoria turned slowly. Under the moonlight, her eyes gleamed with startling brightness—not with the rage or grief Cassandra had expected, but with pure, icy mockery. "Charity?" Victoria's lips curved into a smile. She enunciated each word clearly, "Cassandra, have you been abroad for so long that you've forgotten exactly who you are? "You're just a bastard daughter who only entered this house because her mother played the mistress. A pathetic woman who has to scheme and manipulate just to hold onto a man, and you dare stand here talking about charity? "Your mother picked up the scraps my mother discarded, and you picked up the man I discarded. You and your mother are truly cut from the same cloth—always scavenging what others leave behind." "You!" The smile froze on Cassandra's face. Color drained from her face, then flooded back in ugly patches. She hadn't expected Victoria, already trampled into the mud, to still have such a sharp tongue. "What about me?" Victoria took a step closer, her presence overwhelming. "You think you've won? You've merely picked up a man I was done playing with and discarded, and you're parading him around like a treasure. Cassandra, this is truly the height of your capabilities." Cassandra trembled with rage under the barrage of retorts, her carefully maintained mask of gentleness shattering completely. Victoria had no interest in continuing the exchange, so she turned to leave. But in the exact moment she turned her back, a piercing, agonized scream tore from Cassandra behind her. Cassandra had fallen, her forehead striking the edge of a stone garden bench. Blood instantly bloomed, vivid and stark. "Cassie!" Almost simultaneously, Caden, Hugh, and Marjorie rushed out from the living room. Cassandra lay on the ground, clutching her bleeding forehead, her eyes welling with tears. "Dad, Mom, Caden… This isn't Vicky's fault. I slipped." Marjorie immediately threw herself over Cassandra, wailing hysterically. "Cassie! Oh, my precious baby! How could you be so silly? Why are you still defending her after what she's done to you?" Hugh's expression was thunderous. He jabbed a finger at Victoria, voice shaking with rage. "Victoria Calloway! You vicious girl! What have you done to Cassie now?" Victoria stood motionless, watching the meticulously staged scene of entrapment unfold with cold detachment. Her gaze swept past the enraged Hugh, the hypocritical Marjorie, and finally settled on Caden. He was already crouched beside Cassandra, carefully examining the wound. When he lifted his head, those deep, unreadable eyes fixed on Victoria, and for the first time, the usual calm was gone. What remained was a piercing, bone-chilling scrutiny. In that moment, her heart chilled to the marrow. He… He didn't believe her either. Of course. Cassandra was the one he cherished. Why would he ever take Victoria's word over hers? A faint, bitter smile tugged at Victoria's lips. Then, without warning, she stepped forward. Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, she reached for a heavy ceramic flowerpot nearby. She brought it down without a moment's hesitation on the exact spot on Cassandra's forehead that was already bleeding. The dull thump from the impact was followed by Cassandra's even more agonized scream and the collective sharp intake of breath from the others. Victoria let go, dropping the shattered remains of the pot. Her voice came out eerily calm, yet her eyes glinted like poisoned blades. "You'd better listen up. I didn't lay a finger on her earlier. But this time? This one's all me." Everyone was stunned into silence, Caden included. Victoria shook the remaining fragments from her hand and turned to walk away. But before she could take two steps, a bone-crushing force clamped around her wrist. Pain shot up her arm. Caden held her in a vice-like grip, his expression dark and stormy. When he looked at Hugh, his voice came out ice cold. "Mr. Calloway, I won't overlook such behavior from your daughter. I'm afraid I must insist you teach her a proper lesson." Hugh, torn between his distress for Cassandra and his fear of Caden's influence, hurriedly agreed and scraped. "Don't you worry, Mr. Larkson! I will most certainly discipline this insolent, ignorant daughter of mine!" He immediately barked at the bodyguards who had hurried over, "Grab her! Take her to the family memorial hall and lock her up in there!" "How dare you!" Victoria struggled, glaring fiercely at Hugh. But Hugh looked to Caden, his tone fawning. "Mr. Larkson, what do you think? I'll lock her in the memorial hall to reflect on her actions. Is that punishment sufficient?" Caden scooped up the still-bleeding Cassandra in his arms. His gaze swept over Victoria with glacial indifference, and his thin lips parted to utter words of breathtaking cruelty. "That's too lenient. I noticed the riding crop hanging in the study. It didn't seem to be merely for decoration." With that, he strode away without a backward glance, holding Cassandra close. Victoria stood as if struck by lightning, staring in disbelief at his retreating figure. Had he… Had he just suggested that Hugh use a riding crop on her? Chapter 7 Hugh immediately grasped Caden's meaning and barked at the bodyguards, "Don't you hear him? Give her 30 lashes! Then, lock her in the family memorial hall! She doesn't come out until I say so!" "Let go of me! You're not my father, Hugh! You're an animal!" Victoria fought with all her strength, but the bodyguards held her fast. She was dragged into a side room. Marjorie stood there, gripping the sturdy riding crop, her face alight with vindictive glee. "You ungrateful little bitch! You're just like your dead mother, always thinking you're above everyone else! I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your father today!" Then, she raised the whip high and brought it down with savage force. The first crack across Victoria's back sent white-hot agony exploding through her body. Her vision blacked out for a heartbeat, and she bit down on her lip to keep from screaming. The lashes rained down relentlessly, one after another. Marjorie seemed to be channeling years of pent-up hatred into every swing. Each lash landed more brutally than the last, as if she intended to flay the skin from Victoria's body. Agony wracked Victoria's body, twisting it into involuntary spasms. Cold sweat soaked through her clothes. As her consciousness began to fray, a memory surfaced. Caden had asked with a frown when he learned of her strained relationship with Marjorie, "Do you need me to deal with her?" She remembered nights when grief drove her to slip out alone to Eunice's grave in the pouring rain, and how he had somehow found her in the pouring rain, wordlessly wrapping her in his coat and driving her home. She remembered those fleeting moments she had mistaken for genuine concern. Back then, had he ever imagined that one day, he would be the one to personally condemn her to this living hell? A cough rattled in her chest, and the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. Yet, a low, ragged laugh escaped her lips. The sound chilled Marjorie's blood, fueling her rage. "What are you laughing at, you wretch?" Victoria lifted her face, which was streaked with sweat and blood. Her eyes, fierce as a wolf's, locked onto Marjorie. Each word came out slow and deliberate. "I'm laughing at you and your daughter, destined to live off other people's scraps your whole miserable lives!" "You—" Marjorie trembled with fury and threw the crop aside. She turned and snarled at a maid, "Get me the stun baton! Now!" "No, Mrs. Calloway! You mustn't! You'll kill Ms. Victoria!" an elderly maid, Edith Baker, cried out, unable to stay silent. "Get out of my way! Who are you to speak?" Marjorie shoved Edith aside, snatched the stun baton from a bodyguard's hand, and swung it down viciously on Victoria. Victoria shrieked as a searing jolt of electricity and a brutal impact tore through her. She heard the sickening crack of her own ribs giving way. A gush of blood escaped her mouth. Then, everything went black. … When consciousness returned, Victoria found herself lying on her own bed. Every inch of her body felt as though it had been run over by a truck. Edith was quietly applying salve to her wounds, brushing away the tears streaming down her face as she whispered, "Ms. Victoria, just yield to Mr. Calloway. Why put yourself through such suffering?" Victoria shook her head weakly, her voice a ragged whisper. "Yield? Yielding to this family will only get me devoured, bones and all." She paused, forcing a smile that looked more painful than tears. "It's just a beating. And I gave Cassandra a cracked skull, too. It wasn't a bad trade. I… can take it." Then, with great effort, she retrieved a bank card from beneath her pillow and pressed it into Edith's hand. "Ms. Baker, I want you to have this." Edith recoiled in shock and hastily refused, "No, Ms. Victoria! I couldn't possibly! How can I take your money?" But Victoria answered in a resolute tone, "Take it. I've… had this ready for quite some time now. I'm leaving the country and probably never coming back. "You came with my mother from the Monroe family, so they won't treat you well here. This money… It's enough for you to live out your years in peace. Listen to me, resign and leave this place." Edith looked at the card in her hand, then at the young woman who still thought of her even in her battered, broken state. Tears spilled freely, and she fell to her knees with a thud. Victoria quickly stopped her, her voice frail yet carrying a hint of something almost childlike. "You know what, Ms. Baker? I'm actually craving your pumpkin soup." "Yes, Ms. Victoria. I'll go make some for you right now. It'll be quick!" Edith hastily wiped her tears and hurried to the kitchen. The room fell silent again. Victoria gazed up at the ornate but frigid ceiling and slowly closed her eyes, letting despair and sorrow swallow her whole. In the days that followed, Victoria remained in her room to recover. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she slowly packed all her belongings. She also gathered every single gift Caden had ever given her. He might not have loved her, but he had been generous. The total value of these items approached a hundred million dollars. She had considered simply throwing them away, but then she changed her mind and contacted the owner of a high-end club she frequented. Hearing the club was hosting charity auctions recently, she called and mentioned she had plenty of items to contribute. She received a swift reply informing her that there was an event that very evening, and she was welcome to attend. That evening, Victoria arrived at the club with several large boxes. After handing everything over to the auction coordinator, she turned and, in a stroke of bad luck, saw Caden and Cassandra walking in together. Cassandra leaned into Caden, and when her eyes met Victoria's, a flash of triumph and provocation lit within them. Victoria's nails dug into her palms instinctively, then quickly relaxed. She had business here tonight. There was no need to waste her energy on them. Caden's gaze seemed to linger for a fraction of a second on her unnaturally pale face before shifting away indifferently. She had just taken her seat when the lights dimmed. The host took the stage and announced excitedly that before the auction began, there would be a three-minute "kiss for charity" segment for all the couples present to enjoy. Victoria froze. Roving spotlights swept through the darkened venue, illuminating couples locked in kisses and embraces. She turned instinctively and caught sight of them. Not far away, Cassandra wound her arms around Caden's neck with a sweet smile. He looked down at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in the faintest possible curve. Then, he bent down and kissed her. In that instant, Victoria's heart felt like it was seized by an invisible, crushing grip. Memories flooded her mind uncontrollably. Memories of every passionate, possessive, desire-fueled kiss that she shared with Caden. Yet, none had ever held this quality of tender reverence. Just then, a drunken scion from a wealthy family stumbled over. "You must be feeling lonely sitting here all by yourself, Ms. Calloway. Here, I'll accompany you…" Chapter 8 Victoria jerked violently away. "Get away from me!" But the drunk scion was strong, and it seemed he was about to overpower her. Suddenly, the venue plunged into darkness again. The next sound she heard was a heavy thud as the young man was sent sprawling by a kick. Then, he was quickly and silently dragged away. Victoria's heart slammed against her ribs. She recognized the man who had delivered that kick. He was one of Caden's personal bodyguards. Her gaze flew instinctively to where Caden stood. In the darkness, his expression was unreadable. Only the outline of his figure holding Cassandra was visible. When the lights returned, his composure was unshaken, as if the entire incident had nothing to do with him. A wave of shock hit Victoria, followed by a torrent of bitter irony. What was the meaning of that? He was protecting his precious first love one moment, then coming to her rescue the next? Wasn't it laughable? But before she could untangle the thought, the auction commenced. The first lot presented was the massive collection of Caden's gifts that Victoria had donated, with a starting bid set at one hundred million dollars. A murmur rippled through the crowd. Caden's gaze sharpened instantly. He narrowed his eyes, looking toward Victoria, clearly recognizing the origin of the items. Anyone who knew him could see through that calm facade and recognize it as the telltale sign of his rising anger. But Victoria met his stare head-on, the corner of her mouth lifting in the faintest, most mocking curve. As bids began to come in one after another, Cassandra tugged at Caden's sleeve, whispering, "Caden, that blue diamond necklace is exquisite. I love it!" Caden was silent for a few long seconds. Then, he raised his paddle. In the end, the entire collection was sold for a staggering one billion dollars, bought by Caden, and promptly presented to the beaming Cassandra beside him. Victoria watched the exchange with irony. Wasn't this just another form of things returning to their rightful owner? During the intermission, she went to the restroom to freshen up. As she stepped out, she saw Caden leaning against the corridor wall, a cigarette between his lips. The hazy smoke softened the hard lines of his features but did nothing to hide the heavy, unreadable weight of his gaze fixed on her. Victoria kept her eyes forward, intending to walk straight past him. But her wrist was seized in a firm grip. "Why did you auction those things?" Instead of answering, she looked up and threw another question back at him, her tone biting. "Why did you have your bodyguard step in for me just now?" Caden's brows furrowed slightly as he began to speak. But Victoria cut him off, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Let me guess. You're going to say that you only did it because I'm Pam's best friend? Because she asked you to look out for me?" She took a step closer, tilting her head back to meet his stern gaze, her lips curving into a cold smile. "Do you think she can also get you to look after my love life, Mr. Larkson?" Caden pinched the bridge of his nose, a flicker of weariness crossing his features. In the end, he said, "Victoria, you're always like a hedgehog, all bristles and spikes. What good does that do you?" Good? None at all. But if she hadn't learned to protect herself, the Calloway family, and his beloved Cassandra, would have already torn her to pieces and left nothing behind. She was about to retort when Caden continued, "I was your last man. Your next one can't be worse than me. That trash from earlier isn't worthy of you. If you need a man, I can introduce you to someone suitable." Victoria stared at him, stunned. Then, she laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes. Who did he think he was? After driving a blade into the depths of her heart, he now felt entitled to comment on her standards? Was it possessiveness or merely concern that she might tarnish his image? "Caden," she said, the laughter dying, her gaze ice-cold and shattered. "My life is none of your business, and you have no right to interfere." Her tone turned deliberately flippant, laced with self-condescending scorn. "As for men? I can have as many as I want. It's not like I'll be around and let you see any of them anyway." Caden latched onto the phrase, voice dropping dangerously low. "What do you mean you won't be around? Where are you going?" Victoria said nothing. She wrenched her wrist free and walked away. When she returned to her seat, all she wanted was to escape the upsetting place as soon as possible. But when the next item was brought out, her gaze froze. It was a sapphire necklace, classic and elegant in design. It had been Eunice's most cherished possession. Victoria's head snapped toward Cassandra, meeting her triumphant, gloating gaze. Understanding dawned instantly. Hugh must have secretly given Eunice's things to Cassandra, and Cassandra was now publicly auctioning them off. Victoria forced herself back into her seat. She had no choice but to calm down and take part in the bidding. She couldn't just stand by and watch Eunice's most treasured possession fall into someone else's hands. After several intense rounds of bidding, Victoria finally secured the necklace at a price several times its market value. She let out a breath of relief and was about to go collect it when Cassandra suddenly stood up. "Wait a moment." Cassandra's voice was gentle, yet laced with unmistakable malice. "I apologize, sir. I seem to have made a mistake. I don't wish to auction this necklace. It's a personal keepsake of mine. I must have mixed it up by accident." With that, she collected the necklace, flashed Victoria one last victorious smile, and turned to leave. Victoria immediately chased after Cassandra and caught up to her on the compound of the club. "Cassandra! Give me the necklace! I'll pay you any price!" Victoria said urgently. Cassandra toyed with the chain, her smile turning openly vicious. "I'm not short of money." She walked over to a man-made lake beside the club, looking at the murky water. Then, turning back to Victoria, she said, "You love beauty, elegance, and your pride the most, don't you? Well, if you want it so much, go get it yourself." With a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed the necklace into the lake without the slightest hesitation. Almost without a single thought, amid the astonished looks and gasps of the onlookers, Victoria plunged into the icy water. She groped frantically in the murky depths, the mud staining her expensive gown, ruining her meticulously applied makeup. But she paid no attention to any of that. And that was the scene that greeted Caden when he stepped outside after finishing a cigarette. Chapter 9 Caden's brows furrowed deeply. He strode to the edge of the lake and reached out a hand to Victoria, his voice taut with suppressed anger. "Victoria! Get out of there!" Victoria brushed his hand aside and continued her desperate search. Only when her fingertips brushed against something cold and solid did she finally clamber out, soaked to the bone, clutching her prize tightly in her fist. It was only then that Caden got a clear look at the object she had risked her life for. It was a small gemstone necklace, appearing somewhat old-fashioned and worn. A wave of inexplicable fury washed over him, and he grabbed her arm. "You donate items worth up to a hundred million dollars without a second thought, and you jump into a lake without a care for your own life for this… this trinket?" Victoria wrenched herself free. She trembled violently from the cold and her overwhelming emotions. "You know nothing! So don't stand there making flippant remarks! You said it yourself—we're over! So do me a favor and leave me alone! Stop paying me any attention, and stop initiating conversations—" Then, she stared straight into his eyes, enunciating each word that followed with deliberate clarity, "My future brother-in-law." The address hit Caden like a physical blow. He stiffened, his eyes widening. Before he could respond, Cassandra approached, her voice sweetly innocent yet laced with triumph. "Thank you for retrieving my necklace, Vicky." She reached out for the necklace clenched in Victoria's hand. But Victoria held on, refusing to let go. Cassandra turned to Caden with a wounded expression. "It's mine! Caden, Mom gave this to me…" Caden's gaze shifted between Victoria's stubborn defiance and Cassandra's expectant look. His frown deepened. Finally, he reached out and seized Victoria's wrist in a vise-like grip. "Let go," he said firmly. "No!" Victoria glared at him with reddened eyes. Caden pried her fingers open, one by one, with brute force. A faint, sickening crack was heard before Victoria let out a choked gasp of agony. He had dislocated her wrist. Excruciating pain radiated up her arm. Her face drained of color, sweat beading on her forehead as she stared in disbelief at the man who could be so brutally cold. Cassandra seized the opportunity to snatch the necklace away, throwing a triumphant glance at Victoria before slipping her arm through Caden's. "Caden, let's get our coats and leave," she said softly. Caden gave a stiff nod. His gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on Victoria, now curled in on herself with pain, before he turned to leave with Cassandra. However, as they crossed the threshold of the club, a heavy wrought-iron light fixture suspended above them came loose somehow, plummeting straight down at Cassandra. Caden reacted with lightning speed, shoving Cassandra out of the way, but the edge of the fixture still grazed the back of her head. "Cassie!" Caden's face paled. He immediately scooped her up and rushed toward the parking lot, heading straight for the hospital. Victoria, cradling her dislocated wrist, was in agony and on the verge of passing out herself. She was eventually taken to the same hospital by a kind stranger. The doctor setting her bone couldn't help but comment, "Who on earth could be so cruel as to do this to a young woman?" Victoria's face was ghostly pale, her lips trembling. The pain in her heart far eclipsed the physical torment. The doctor informed her the injury was severe and required several days of observation, so Victoria ended up being admitted. However, she had barely been settled into her room when Caden stormed in, bringing a wave of icy fury with him. His expression was thunderous, his eyes boring into her as if he wanted to tear her apart. "Victoria, I reviewed the security footage. You bribed a staff member to loosen that light fixture, didn't you? You intended to kill Cassie." Victoria found the accusation absurd. She met his gaze coldly. "I did not!" "Who else would harbor such malice toward Cassie? Victoria, I've underestimated you. You truly believe you're above the law and are capable of anything!" "I said I didn't do it! You have no right to accuse me!" Caden's gaze turned glacial. "Accuse you? It seems you won't tell the truth without a lesson." He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his voice dropping to a chilling tone. "Contact the police. Ms. Victoria Calloway is suspected of intentional assault. Send someone over. A few days in detention should help clear her mind." "Caden Larkson!" Victoria stared at him in horror, unable to believe he would use his influence to have her thrown into a detention center. But no matter how desperately she struggled, explained, or cried out, it all proved futile. Soon, uniformed officers arrived at the hospital room. They ignored the doctor's protests and Victoria's injured state, forcibly taking her away. Chapter 10 The next few days were pure hell for Victoria. The once-spoiled and flamboyant daughter of the Calloway family endured unimaginable torment in the detention center. Her cellmates seemed to have received special instructions. They subjected her to relentless abuse—kicks, punches, and worst of all, the deliberate, brutal stomping on her already injured wrist. The fragile bones splintered further with each cruel impact. When she was finally released several days later, she was barely recognizable, nothing but a broken, battered figure clinging to the last threads of life. What dragged her out of that abyss was a single message on her phone. Her visa had finally been approved. She hailed a taxi back to the Calloway residence, intending to grab her suitcase and head straight to the airport. But the moment she stepped through the door, she ran straight into Pamela Larkson—her best friend, who had just returned from a whirlwind world trip and rushed over the second she heard everything. Pamela took one look at Victoria's miserable state and burst into tears. She threw her arms around her, sobbing uncontrollably as she apologized profusely. "Vicky! I'm so sorry! This is all my fault! Back then, I hated Uncle Cade's ex. I only egged you on to get close to him on a whim because I knew that he was still hooked on her. "I never imagined it would come to this. I didn't know his first love was Cassandra! If I had known, I never would have let you get near him…" Victoria shook her head weakly, her voice a raw scrape. "It's not your fault. It's all in the past now. I've… I've let it all go. Pam, I'm leaving the country. I probably won't be coming back." Pamela was stunned. "Vicky, don't go… Stay here. I'll take care of you. I'll protect you…" "No," Victoria said softly. "There's nothing left here worth staying for." Pamela cried harder, but seeing the deadened resolve in Victoria's eyes, she knew she couldn't change Victoria's mind. With red-rimmed eyes, she helped Victoria pack her final belongings. Before leaving, Victoria took one last look at the house that held all her childhood memories, now defiled by her father, his mistress, and their illegitimate daughter. She retrieved the gasoline she had prepared long ago and, ignoring the housekeepers' pleas, expressionlessly doused the building and set it alight. Flames roared skyward, consuming everything from the past. Suitcase in hand, she turned away without a backward glance. Pamela drove her to the airport, still apologizing profusely, offering her entire garage of luxury cars as compensation. Victoria shook her head, leaning against the window, watching the scenery fly by. "I don't need them," she whispered. "You have to say goodbye to the wrong things before you can meet the right ones." She forced a smile, one tinged with the exhaustion and fragile peace of a survivor. "I'm beautiful. As long as I want to, the men in my future will only be better, richer, and more devoted than the one before." Pamela hurriedly agreed, "Yes! You're the most beautiful woman out there, Vicky! You'll definitely meet someone who treasures you!" At the airport, Pamela clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably. "Vicky, you have to live well, so very well, and make those people regret everything they ever did to you!" Victoria returned the hug, patting her back gently before pulling away. With a final, carefree wave, she turned and walked toward the security checkpoint. Pamela watched her figure disappear into the passageway, then finally crumpled to the floor, weeping. After what felt like an eternity, she mustered her anger and indignation and dialed Caden's number. The phone rang for a long time before it was answered. "Uncle Cade!" Pamela exclaimed, her voice thick with tears and fury. "I know you love Cassandra, but Vicky was with you for three years! And she's leaving now! For good! Are you… Are you not even going to see her off?" Dead silence answered her from the other end. Several seconds later, Caden's voice came through, carrying a rare, almost imperceptible strain and hoarseness, "What? Who's leaving?"