"No need to call for your butler. I've already had my people send him away," Cynthia added.

My eyes widened in disbelief. I hadn't expected Cynthia to actually have the guts to do this.

In the next moment, Rowena instructed someone to escort us out.

I was taken to a villa on the outskirts owned by the Norton family, where I came face-to-face with Cynthia.

"Cynthia, do you know what you're doing? This is illegal confinement. Have you considered how you'll explain this to my parents?"”

In just a few short years, Cynthia was no longer the timid girl who used to trail after me, pleading for resources.

She now exuded the air of someone in power. With a mere wave of her hand, Theodore obediently nestled into her arms, like a plaything wrapped around her little finger.

Upon hearing what I had said, Cynthia gave a dismissive laugh.

"What more is there to explain? We're getting married soon, so we're practically family already. After years of partnership between our families, do you honestly believe your parents would cross me for you?

"Theo may be a financially struggling student, but he's been taking care of me on your behalf all these years. And he hasn't seen the world as you have, so is it that hard to just let him have this?"

I cut her off with a raw, furious roar. "Cynthia, you're absolutely shameless! Where did you get the audacity to say something so vile?"

Cynthia frowned with contempt. Immediately, the people around her stepped forward and forced me down on my knees.

"It seems all those years abroad didn't teach you any humility. Theo, why don't you give him a taste of his own medicine?"

Theodore walked up to me with a smirk and punched me hard in the face.

"If you're disfigured, you won't be fit to stand by Cece anymore, will you?"

After saying that, he ordered those around him to punch me a hundred times.

My ears and mouth were bleeding, and my head was ringing.

Still not satisfied, Theodore had them strip off my clothes.

I struggled desperately, but Theodore broke two of my fingers and tore off several of my nails.

Cynthia had brought plenty of bodyguards. I was powerless to resist, and the countless invasive stares filled me with unbearable shame.

"Gerard, take the next couple of days to reflect. I'll come see you in a week. By then, I hope you'll have learned how to be a proper husband."

Cynthia left me behind and walked away.

I tried to make my way back to the city, but Cynthia had ordered that all exits be blocked. Thus, there was simply no way out.

There was no food here, not even a drop of water. After just three days, I lay exhausted in the living room. Staring at my twisted fingers and battered body, I clenched my teeth in fury.

Suddenly, the villa's front door was kicked open, and Mitch rushed in with a team of people behind him.

When I woke up again, I was already lying in a room at my family's private hospital.

Mitch was sitting by my bedside. His face lit up as soon as he saw me open my eyes.

"Mr. Emerson, you're finally awake! You had me terribly worried. If anything had happened to you, how would I ever explain it to your parents?"

"Where are they?" My throat felt torn. Each word carried the faint, metallic taste of blood.

"They're already on a flight back. They'll be here very soon."

"Good. Now, go deliver a message to the Norton family. Tell them that if Cynthia can still stand on her own two feet tomorrow, then her family will have no reason to exist."