"I have a family photo of the three of us," I said desperately, "If you don't believe me, check my bag."

Someone skeptically rummaged through my bag and soon pulled out the photograph.

Although Gary had marked it out with a black pen, it was still clear enough that he was in the picture.

The group stared at the photo, murmuring among themselves. Some said it resembled him, while others disagreed.

My heart pounded with anxiety.

"Scarlett," I pleaded, "I really am Gary's daughter. I swear, I won't tell anyone about today's events. I know you're upset because you care about Gary so much. He won't blame you for this."

As I spoke, I tried to discreetly dial the police on my phone, but Scarlett saw me.

She yanked my hair viciously, her voice laced with venom. "So you've come prepared, huh? Is this some sort of show? Planning to call Gary while you're at it?

"Thinking of calling the cops? Seems like you're feeling guilty, doesn't it?

"Just because you're younger, you think you can insult me and call me old and washed-up?

"Let me tell you something, tomorrow it's me marrying him, not you, the so-called mistress.

"Is it just because your hair looks better or your face is younger? I'll make sure you regret showing up here."

They pinned me down and slaps continued to rain on my face until I was left speechless, tears of pain streaming down my face.

Scarlett grabbed a pair of scissors and methodically began cutting my hair, leaving me with a bald head.

I could only sob helplessly, unable to fight back.

I remembered how much Halle used to love doing my hair. "My little girl," she'd say, "your hair is so shiny. Long hair looks the prettiest. You're my little princess."

Gary also adored my long hair. "That's right, my daughter is just as beautiful as your mother. We'll learn to style your hair together."

My hair was precious to me, a tangible link to Halle and the happy family we once were.

Gary and Halle had promised to protect me and make me the happiest princess.

But now, with Halle gone and Gary's new wife beating me without reason, the home that once felt warm had turned into a cruel battleground.

The sharp scissors cut into my scalp, blood trickling down my face.

One of the women, with my blood smeared on her hands, hesitated, clearly frightened.

She looked at Scarlett and said, "Scarlett, don't you think we're going a bit too far?

"What if Mr. Hathaway finds out and gets upset about this poor girl?"

Scarlett snorted dismissively. "Too far? What's too far? She's a mistress destroying a family. Besides, I'm the one Gary's marrying. Why are you scared?

"Make sure to do this right, and I'll reward you all."

Seizing the moment, I finally managed to speak through my tears, "Please, just let me go. I'm not a mistress. I'm married, and I'm pregnant with my husband's child. I swear I'm Gary's daughter."

Hearing this, they hesitated and released my grip. I fell to my knees, begging, "Please, just spare me. I'm really not a mistress. If you let me go, I'll never show up in front of Gary again. No one will interfere with your chance to become Mrs. Hathaway.

"Just let my child be safe, and I'll do anything you ask."

I thought I had humbled myself enough, but those words seemed to push me further into danger.

"Slut, are you showing off because you're pregnant?"

Scarlett kicked me in the stomach with such force that I flew like a fragile leaf.

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, and I felt a warm sensation beneath me.

Scarlett's eyes were wild with fury, and her voice echoed like that of a demon. I felt an unprecedented despair.

"And you still dare to deny being a mistress? You're deliberately coming here to snatch Mrs. Hathaway's position, aren't you?

"Do you think I'm scared just because you're pregnant? I'll tell you, that kid won't ever be born.

"Ladies, beat her to death, go all out. If you don't make her abort, it's not over today."

The sight of my battered and vulnerable appearance, as if I were about to breathe my last, seemed to unnerve some of them.

They hesitated, their fear paralyzing them.

To them, beating up a mistress was a matter of honor as long as no one's life was lost.

If the baby was made to abort, it would be akin to murder.

Someone hesitantly suggested, "Scarlett, it's getting late. Maybe we should just call it a day?"

"Call it a day?" Scarlett tossed her head back, her tone icy. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when your man's factory deal falls through."

She looked around at the others, her gaze cold. "And if your kids need a spot in a public school, or if your elderly relatives need a special doctor, or if your children need a promotion at work—don't bother coming to me. Just scatter."

"Come on," the person who had just spoken grabbed Scarlett's hand, trying to placate her with a forced smile. "I misspoke earlier. Mistresses deserve whatever they get. I'll make sure her pretty little face is ruined right away."

"Where's she going?" someone called out as they noticed I had managed to crawl toward the door.

Once again, I was dragged back like a fish out of water, my struggle marking the door with blood stains.

My voice, hoarse and tragic, cried out for mercy, but they all acted as if they were deaf.

Scarlett had them by the neck, and for her satisfaction, they all outdid each other.

One used scissors to brutally slash my face. "Rely on your youth and beauty to seduce someone else's husband? Let's see if you dare to be a mistress again!"

Another kicked my belly like a soccer ball. "See if you dare to sleep with someone else's husband, hoping to climb the social ladder with your dirty tricks."

Yet another tore off my clothes while someone else recorded a video of my nudity. "You little slut, if you dare to tell Mr. Hathaway, I'll post your video online and let everyone know you're a worthless tramp."

And I, powerless, could only shed tears of humiliation.

Before long, a searing pain erupted from within, and blood flowed from between my legs.

I knew my child was gone. During my pregnancy, the doctor had warned me that my health was fragile and that I should take extra care.

After my husband went on a business trip, I came back alone, thinking nothing would happen at home.

Little did I know I would encounter such a group of devils.

My child died in a baseless accusation, never getting a chance to see the world.

I trembled with agony.

The culprits chuckled with a sense of smug satisfaction. "Scarlett, look at this little troublemaker. She can't threaten you anymore. She got what she deserved."

Scarlett nodded approvingly. "That's what happens to mistresses. They get what's coming to them."

At that moment, Scarlett's phone rang. It was Gary calling. She signaled for everyone to quiet down, even covering my mouth to make sure I didn't make a sound.

Gary's cheerful voice came through the phone. "Scarlett, my daughter just texted me saying she's back home. You remember her, the one from the photo I showed you last time? The one I keep in my wallet.

"You saw her? I heard from my son-in-law that my daughter is pregnant. Could you keep an eye on her for me? I'm canceling my meetings and heading back right now..."

With a loud crack, the phone hit the floor, and Gary's voice abruptly cut off.

The room fell into an eerie silence, with only the sound of rapid breathing filling the space.

Everyone's faces went pale as they exchanged anxious glances between me and Scarlett.

In the hush, someone clamped a hand over their mouth and whispered, "Scarlett, what now? If she's really Mr. Hathaway's daughter, we're screwed."

Scarlett remained silent, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Some of the women, recalling Gary's notorious temper, dropped to their knees to apologize; others fumbled to help me get dressed, while a few desperately deleted the footage of me, and others slapped themselves in remorse.

They pleaded, "Ms. Hathaway, please, have mercy. We didn't mean for this to happen… Please, forgive us…"

I let out a shaky breath, closed my eyes, and spoke through trembling lips, "Call the ambulance and I'll forgive you…"

"Of course, of course," one of them nodded frantically, pulling out their phone and starting to dial, but Scarlett snatched the phone away.

"Don't call!" she shouted, startling everyone.

Her eyes locked onto mine with a fierce intensity, her voice dripping with menace. "Think about it—if you were accused of being a mistress in your own home, slapped around, beaten, and even had your head shaved and face mutilated, would you forgive those who did this to you?"

A heavy silence fell, suggesting that they wouldn't forgive or let it go.

Someone finally stammered, "So… what do we do?"

Scarlett sneered. "It's simple. One way or another, she can't live.

"If she lives and Gary finds out what we did, none of us will make it out alive."

"But… murder is illegal," someone protested weakly, only to be cut off by Scarlett.

"What's to worry about? Just make sure it's clean. If you want to stay alive, you'll do as I say. I keep my promises.

"At this point, we're all in this together. Anyone who chickens out or causes trouble will not only suffer but so will their families…"

Hearing this, everyone lowered their heads in unison, finally agreeing to follow Scarlett's lead.

Scarlett turned to one of the women in the corner with a satisfied look and began issuing orders. "Sara, isn't your brother in charge of cremations at the funeral home? Get him to take her over there and burn everything clean. No evidence left. I'll make sure your son's job promotion goes through first thing."

Several women moved to drag me away, but I struggled, pleading for my life, "Please, let me go. I promise I won't pursue this. I'll say it was someone else who did this, and you saved me. Just take me to the hospital, and you'll be my family's benefactors."

"I'll agree to anything you want. Really, Gary listens to me. Just don't kill me."

Some were tempted and loosened their grip, but Scarlett stormed up and slapped one of them hard. "Anyone with second thoughts will join her in the crematory."

The room fell silent, everyone too frightened to move.

Scarlett gave me a few more vicious kicks, her voice cold. "You're resourceful, but it's too bad. You mentioned your father listens to you, but if you're still around, how can I be the content Mrs. Hathaway?

"I've spent so much time, money, and effort to land a big shot like your dad. No one's stopping me from marrying him. Tomorrow, I'll be the envied Mrs. Hathaway.

"You'll just have to leave early. Every year at this time, I'll make sure to pay a visit for you," Scarlett said with a disgusted pat on my face, as if afraid I might miss her words.

I gritted my teeth and tried to appeal to their sense of reason.

"What you're doing is murder; it's illegal, and your families, even your children, will be affected too.

"Your children's futures, their chances of getting into public service or other careers, will all be ruined. It's not too late to turn back now.

"If you just let me go, I promise I won't pursue what happened today..."

My unfinished words were muffled by the foul-smelling sock Scarlett shoved into my mouth.

In the end, it was unavoidable. I was carried to the car like a dead weight.

Just as the car door slammed shut, Gary's frantic voice reached my ears. "Where's Alice?"