Chapter 5

Lily's POV

I looked between Vivian and her mother.

"I've been unconscious since returning from the attic. When would I have had the chance to arrange a kidnapping?"

Harrison's brow furrowed slightly. He was about to speak when Vivian stepped forward and took his arm.

"Forget it. My mother is dying anyway. Since Miss Sullivan can't tolerate me, I'll just leave with my mother."

Vivian turned to go, and Harrison quickly pulled her into his arms, then looked at me coldly.

"Lily, kneel and apologize to Vivian's mother."

I looked at Harrison in disbelief.

"You want me to kneel and apologize to someone who's falsely accusing me?"

I grew up in a prestigious family, cherished and protected all my life. I'd never suffered such humiliation.

But now Harrison was trampling all my dignity underfoot.

I clenched my palms tightly, digging my nails into my flesh.

"What if I don't apologize?"

Harrison gestured toward the door with a sinister expression.

"That's not up to you!"

With those words, two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and restrained my hands. One kicked hard at my knee.

The pain made me unable to stand. I fell straight to my knees before Vivian's mother.

I bit my teeth hard, my voice barely escaping through clenched jaws.

"Harrison, are you satisfied now?"

Harrison put his arm around Vivian's waist and headed out.

"Don't worry. I'm holding a press conference right now to publicly announce that you've already obtained a marriage license with me. That should put your mother's mind at ease."

I watched their retreating figures-like a family of three-my heart sinking completely into the abyss.

Harrison moved fast. That same afternoon, he held a press conference in the estate's courtyard.

I stood by the window, watching Harrison and Vivian sitting before the cameras, smiling sweetly. I turned and left.

I'd just reached the back door when a pair of hands suddenly locked me from behind in a tight grip.

I struggled, trying to call for help, but a cloth covered my nose and mouth.

Then I was dragged into the storage room.

I was pinned in the corner of the storage room. Only then did I see the person's face clearly.

It was Vivian's brother, Marcus Taylor!

My body went limp. I had no strength left, yet I still watched Marcus warily.

"What do you want?"

Marcus looked at me lewdly.

"Everyone says Harrison has a pure woman by his side. I want to taste you too."

With that, Marcus roughly tore at my dress.

I struggled desperately and bit down hard on his hand.

The next second, I heard a loud slap as Marcus struck my face viciously.

"Bitch, let me tell you. Harrison's already married to my sister. You're just an unwanted whore. Why not come with me?"

As he spoke, Marcus pinned my hands against the wall and leaned in to kiss me.

At that critical moment, the storage room door was kicked open.

Harrison rushed in with a dark expression and kicked Marcus away.

The moment I saw Harrison, the word "Harrison" died on my lips as I watched Vivian arrive with countless reporters and media personnel, all pointing their cameras at me.

"Miss Sullivan, are you having an affair right under Mr. Quinn's nose to get revenge for him marrying someone else?"

"Miss Sullivan, Mr. Quinn just announced his marriage and you've already found your next man. Does this mean you've been cheating all along?"

"Miss Sullivan, did Mr. Quinn marry someone else because of your moral problems?"

Each sharp question was like a needle, stabbing viciously into my heart.

Vivian also looked at me with feigned shock.

"Miss Sullivan, I know you resent me and him getting married, but you don't need to seduce my brother to get revenge!"

Marcus looked at Harrison's terrifying gaze and knelt on the ground, trembling.

"Lily seduced me."

I raised my head to look at Harrison, fighting to keep the tears from falling.

"I didn't!"

Harrison looked at me darkly.

"Lily, are you that desperate for a man?"

Then Harrison roughly pulled me up and dragged me toward the swimming pool, shoving me violently into the water.

"Wash yourself clean!"

The icy water quickly submerged me. The drug's effects hadn't worn off yet. I didn't even have the strength to move my arms.

"Harrison, if you don't believe me, why won't you let me go?"

Harrison's steps faltered. He then crouched by the pool, roughly grabbing my collar, his gaze fierce.

"Lily, let me tell you-I will never let you leave."

With that, Harrison released me with disgust.

"Wash yourself clean. I find you filthy."

Those words fell like a boulder crushing my heart.

The early winter wind cut sharply. The icy pool water was like a knife, slicing through every inch of my bones.

After being locked back in my room, I developed a high fever. Even my consciousness began to fade.

In my delirium, I thought I saw Harrison. He gently caressed my face with tender affection.

"Lily, what am I supposed to do with you?"

I woke the next day, still in the familiar room.

Just then, the door opened.

Harrison strode in quickly and grabbed my hand forcefully.

"Come with me somewhere."

Before I could ask, Harrison had already pulled me into the car.

When we reached our destination, I was shocked to discover Harrison had brought me to the casino.

"Harrison, what are you doing?"

Harrison looked at me with an unreadable expression.

"Derek kidnapped Vivian. His condition is to exchange her for you."