Chapter 2

That very night, Julian used fabricated evidence to report Vance Group for tax evasion.

He was a legendary lawyer. The fake evidence was so perfectly crafted that it would take a massive amount of time to disprove.

As the sole heir after my sister's death, I was immediately put under house arrest, supposedly to "cooperate with the investigation."

I didn't even have the freedom to go to the police station to report my sister's murder.

All my communication devices were confiscated. Every exit of my villa was heavily guarded by security guards.

Every time I tried to run away or scream for help, the guards would catch me.

They would brutally tie me up with ropes and throw me back into the room to "calm down."

Once I freed myself from the ropes, I, the once-spoiled princess of the Vance family, could only scream like a madwoman, begging the guards outside the door to let me go.

"I want to call the police! This is illegal kidnapping!"

"Let me out!"

"I will put that killer behind bars!"

The guards remained unmoved.

When I tried to force my way out again, they tied me up once more, stuffed a cloth into my mouth, and threw me onto the cold living room floor like a bag of trash.

I struggled desperately, making muffled noises.

Finally, familiar footsteps approached. Someone lifted me from the cold tiles, brushed the sweaty, tear-stained hair from my face, and untied the ropes.

I looked up.

It was Julian.

Behind him stood Mia, her hand resting intimately on his shoulder.

Julian took the gag out of my mouth and asked coldly:

"Chloe, it’s been two days. You should have calmed down by now."

"You have only two choices. Either you stay locked up here, lose the Vance Group, and lose your freedom. Or, you sign the waiver and drop the charges against Mia's brother."

"Have you made up your mind?"

I remained silent for a long time. Finally, I raised my head.

"I choose..."

"I choose to watch that beast Arthur Gibbs rot in hell!"

The moment the words left my mouth, I sprang to my feet and ran with all my might toward the open window.

The bright daylight outside was so close.

It was only the first floor. If I jumped, I could clear the low fence in the backyard and be free.

I stepped onto the window sill, half of my body already hanging outside.

Suddenly, a powerful grip clamped onto my ankle.

I was violently dragged backward. My body slammed hard onto the floor, the impact so painful I broke into a cold sweat.

Christian rushed in, panting, and glared at me.

"Chloe, when will you stop!"

"There’s a wild rose garden down there, and the thorns haven't been trimmed! You dare to jump? Do you want to die?!"

"Let me tell you, even if you escape, it’s useless! I’ve taken care of everything outside. Look at the latest news yourself!"

He threw a newspaper at me. I grabbed it and scanned the front page.

I looked at Christian in utter disbelief.

"You... you made your hospital falsify the autopsy report!"

"My sister had so many wounds on her body. It was not a suicide! You liar!"

I threw the newspaper right into Christian’s face.

He let out a cold laugh.

"Chloe, you have no choices left."

"Vance Group is on the verge of bankruptcy, and this case has already been ruled as an accidental death. Just accept it. Say that Arthur was trying to save her, but failed. Your sister committed suicide."

"Don't worry. Once we pay back our debt to Mia, Julian and I will protect you for the rest of your life. You will still be the pampered heiress of the Upper East Side. No one will ever bully you again."

I let out a bitter laugh, looking completely defeated.

"Fine."