Chapter 1

When my fiance, Kai Vaughn, and my best friend, Eliana Sinclair, drug me and drag me into the penthouse suite of the richest man in the capital, I breathe a sigh of relief. "At long last, I'm home."

Kai assumes I've lost my mind under the threat of impending doom and viciously grips my chin. "Our company's survival depends on this project, you bitch! I hear there's a woman Mr. Harlan has never gotten over, even after all these years, and your face just happens to look a little like hers.

"You'd better serve him well. Once we secure the project, I might even be generous enough to give you some money!"

Eliana covers her mouth and giggles beside him. "That's right. You should thank your lucky stars that you get to serve Mr. Harlan. Don't be ungrateful!"

When the drug takes effect, I'm violently shoved through the gilded doors. No one notices that as I lean back against the leather couch, my eyes are filled with mockery.

The ruthless, cold-blooded Mr. Harlan Kai and Eliana are talking about—the man who treats his substitute lovers as nothing more than playthings—is actually my biological father, Tristan Harlan.

Today, they've personally delivered me right back to Dad's side. Tomorrow, they'll learn what it means to live a life worse than death.

Chapter 1

The drug's effects crept through my veins, and even the slightest movement of my fingers sent a dull ache through my bones. I peeled my eyes open and focused on the hand-painted, gold-gilded irises on the ceiling.

It was the Harlan family's crest. Before I turned 18, that flower had been embroidered onto the collar of every one of my haute couture nightgowns.

My fiance Kai Vaughn's voice was thick with greed beyond the door. "Eliana, are you sure this intel is reliable? Tristan is really coming back to this suite tonight?"

My best friend, Eliana Sinclair, could barely contain the excitement in her voice. "I bought this intel from his driver for 20 grand. He'll be here at 11:00 pm on the dot. Once he pushes open the door and sees a woman lying in his bed who looks exactly like the woman he's always loved…"

She scoffed. "There's no way he would pass up a meal that's been served right to his mouth. Who knows? If Mr. Harlan likes what he sees, that ten-billion-dollar project in the south of the city will be ours!"

After hearing the two of them snickering incessantly outside the door, I bit down hard on the tip of my tongue. The metallic sweetness of blood instantly flooded my throat.

I had worked myself to the bone for Kai's lousy startup, pulling all-nighters until I was coughing up blood. I had treated Eliana as my best friend, only to find them in bed together in the apartment I'd rented with my own hard-earned money.

And now, they had no qualms about acting like pimps, putting a clear price tag on me and sending me to another man's bed.

My stomach spasmed violently. My nails dug in so deep they broke against the leather upholstery, yet even that pain was nothing compared to the agony roiling inside me.

Little did they know that my father was Tristan Harlan.

Years ago, he had cheated on Mom with a starlet, and in her despair, Mom had slit her wrists and taken her own life. I had run away from home in a fit of rage.

All these years, Dad and I had tacitly stayed out of each other's lives. He had done nothing but deposit money into my bank account, terrified that I might suffer hardships or go without.

Kai and Eliana thought I was an orphan who was living off my parents' inheritance and squandering it. That was the only reason they dared to treat me as a bargaining chip without a moment's hesitation.

Dad might've been a lecherous bastard, but he was fiercely protective of his own. Many months ago, when a spoiled scion made an inappropriate remark to me, Dad immediately drove him into bankruptcy.

If he ever found out that these two scumbags had sent me to his bed as a plaything… By the time he was done with them, even death would be a luxury they could only dream of.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Eliana deliberately raised her voice. "Once we secure the deal with Harlan Group, we should hold our wedding. I want that diamond ring Abigail had her eyes on but never had the heart to buy."

Kai chuckled indulgently. "Sure. I'll use the money I make from selling her to buy you that ring."

I stared at the ceiling, the chill in my eyes turning to solid ice.

Their intel was right. Dad would indeed come here because it was his and Mom's wedding anniversary.

Mom had taken her own life in this very room. Every year, he came back here to mourn her.

Every single year on this day, countless people would send women to his doorstep. This year, however, that little surprise happened to be me.

The very next second, the door swung open. Kai strode toward me and yanked me by the hair. A searing pain shot through my scalp.

"Don't hold this against me, Abigail Harlan. If you want someone to blame, blame yourself for having no power or influence. You deserve to be sold off like cheap goods! Even if you're toyed to death tonight, you must make Mr. Harlan happy!"

I didn't have any power or influence? I looked at his triumphant face, the corners of my mouth curling into a derisive smile. "Kai, you'd better pray that when the night's over, there's enough left of you to bury!"

"You've still got the nerve to run your mouth?" Eliana marched forward and slapped me hard across the face. A deafening ringing exploded in my ears.

"Let's change her clothes. Mr. Harlan will be here any minute now!"

Eliana smirked as she ripped open my coat and slipped a skimpy, translucent lingerie slip onto my body. "You really do look like a filthy whore," she snickered, patting my cheek in satisfaction.

I lay face down on the waterbed, drowning in humiliation. Slowly, I clenched my fists.

These two idiots had stripped Tristan Harlan's own flesh and blood bare and delivered her to his bed. The sheer depravity of it was beyond anything I'd ever heard of.

Chapter 2

Immediately after, I was hauled up by Kai and Eliana and dragged out of the suite like a dead dog. At the end of the hallway, more than a dozen bodyguards stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, their intimidating presence radiating an icy, oppressive air.

The man leading them strode toward us. I kept my eyes half-lidded, but I recognized him—Hugh Smith.

Seven years ago, he was merely a perimeter guard who wasn't even qualified to open doors for me. I had never expected Hugh to have risen through the ranks to become Dad's right-hand man while I had been wandering outside all these years.

The arrogant and domineering demeanor that Kai and Eliana had displayed just moments ago vanished into thin air, replaced by servile, obsequious smiles. "Hugh, we've brought her to you."

Hugh cast a condescending look at them. His gaze was like frost-tipped blades as it ultimately landed on me.

"I'm sure you know Mr. Harlan's rules. The women who are sent here must be virgins."

Kai nodded frantically, his waist bending until it was almost parallel to the ground. "We know! She's an obedient virgin!"

Hugh snorted before sizing me up. "It just so happens that Mr. Harlan's in a foul mood tonight and is looking for a plaything to pass the time. If this woman fails to satisfy him, the two of you will be buried alongside her!"

Kai flinched and abruptly shoved me forward. "Cat got your tongue? Answer him!"

I steadied my footing, a cold chuckle escaping my throat. "The three of you really have a death wish."

Kai flew into a rage, whipped his hand back, and struck me hard across the cheek. "I told you to answer him, you bitch! What the hell are you putting on airs for?"

The blow sent me staggering back several steps before my knees crashed hard against the ice-cold marble floor. The skimpy lingerie on my body tore, leaving me in a thoroughly disheveled state.

Kai gritted his teeth and snarled, "How dare you act high and mighty in front of Hugh, you useless bitch?"

Hugh watched the whole spectacle coldly and ultimately said, "Mr. Harlan despises disobedient playthings the most. The last one who dared throw a tantrum in front of him had her ashes scattered into the moat to feed the crocodiles ages ago."

The blood instantly drained from Kai and Eliana's faces. Even their breathing seemed to stop for a second.

I lowered my head, but from an angle they couldn't see, the corners of my lips slowly curled upward.

After Mom died, Dad had chopped up the woman who had provoked her and fed her remains to the fish. From then on, he had developed a love-hate relationship with women, subjecting them to all manner of torment.

Dad's methods were as brutal as ever. When that thought crossed my mind, a bloodthirsty thrill stirred in my eyes.

My abnormal reaction didn't escape Hugh's notice. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of imperceptible amusement flashing through them.

"You've got some nerve. Most women would've wet themselves the second they heard about the gators."

He looked me up and down, a hint of approval creeping into his voice.

"Mr. Harlan's burning with rage tonight, and he needs someone with a backbone to take it out on. This fearless disposition of yours might actually tickle Mr. Harlan's fancy. If you can help him blow off steam to his heart's content, the rest of us might get a little something out of it, too."

Kai's eyes instantly lit up when he heard that. He assumed that my half-dead appearance had genuinely caught Hugh's eye, and he felt emboldened.

He grabbed a handful of my hair, forcing my head up. Excruciating pain shot through my scalp, but I bit down hard on my lower lip, refusing to make a sound.

"Look at her face and figure, Hugh. I guarantee she'll satisfy Mr. Harlan!"

Kai's eyes darted around before he lowered his voice, attempting to curry favor and fish for information. "Hugh, if you don't mind me asking… why's Mr. Harlan in such a bad mood tonight? Also, I heard he's been searching for a woman he can never get over. What kind of divine person is she? Give us a hint so we know what kind of profile to look for when we're sourcing women for him in the future…"

The very next second, Hugh's gaze hardened, and he looked at Kai as though he were staring at a corpse. "Mr. Harlan's personal affairs are none of your damn business. Who do you think you are to pry into them?"

Kai's face instantly turned beet red. "You're right! It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked!" To mask his guilt and fear, he took out all his anger on me again.

He abruptly drove his foot into my lower abdomen. My stomach churned violently, and I doubled over in pain, curling into a tight ball.

"Get your ass in there and do your job, you whore! Once you're inside, even if you have to wag your tail and beg like a bitch in heat, you'd better make damn sure Mr. Harlan's satisfied!"

He shoved me hard, sending me stumbling forward. I endured the agonizing cramps in my abdomen, braced myself against the cold doorframe, and slowly straightened up.

Kai had just asked why Dad was in such a bad mood. I sneered inwardly. I suppose this was probably nothing more than pouring salt on an open wound.

Seven years ago, on the day Mom died, I had jabbed my finger in his face and cursed him, saying he would die without a child of his own. None of the women he had kept on the side had managed to bear him a child.

On one hand, he had his only flesh and blood, a rebellious daughter who wanted nothing to do with him. On the other hand, he had his deceased wife. Who could possibly be in a good mood with all that weighing on them?

Now, to please him, even his own biological daughter was being treated like a prostitute and shoved onto his bed.

I thought to myself, "Dad, I'd love to see how you plan to explain yourself once this door is pushed open."

Chapter 3

I pushed open the rosewood door. A crystal chandelier glittered overhead, while beneath my feet lay a priceless, handwoven rug.

The air was thick with the scent of premium agarwood, and the sheer luxury was almost suffocating.

The moment Kai saw what was inside, his eyes nearly popped out of his sockets. "Holy shit… How much is that painting on the wall worth?"

Eliana's eyes gleamed with greed. "Any one of those vases could probably buy our entire office building!"

Kai flashed me a lecherous grin. "Once this bitch gives Mr. Harlan a good time tonight, he might reward us with a few things from this suite!"

I leaned against the doorframe with a stoic expression.

My gaze swept over the enormous oil painting on the wall. The woman in it had gentle, delicate features. It was my mother.

Meanwhile, a family portrait was partially visible on the sandalwood table beside it.

Hugh noticed me staring intently at the oil painting and narrowed his eyes slightly. He warned me coldly, "Wipe that disgusting look off your face. A cheap whore like you only has any value because you happen to look a little like her."

When I remained unfazed, his patience ran thin, and he grasped my wrist. His lecherous gaze raked over my torn lingerie. "If he hadn't specifically asked for a virgin, I'd take you right here and now!"

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Is this how Tristan trains his men? Looks like someone really ought to throw you into the moat and teach you a proper lesson."

Hugh flew off the handle and raised his hand to slap me.

Just then, Kai gasped, "Wait… why does the girl in this photo look so much like you when you were little?" He reached out to grab the photograph.

"How dare you touch Mr. Harlan's belongings? Do you have a death wish?" A woman's shrill voice rang out.

In walked a woman teetering on four-and-three-quarter-inch red-bottomed stilettos—Vivian Kincaid. She was a partner at Harlan Group who had tried to seduce Dad. I had watched with my own eyes as Dad swept her out the door.

I never would have imagined that, after all her persistence, Dad had eventually taken her in after all.

However, the moment her gaze landed on my face, her arrogance instantly turned into venomous jealousy. "Your face…"

Vivian looked down at me and pinched my chin, her eyes filled with utter madness. "You're nothing but a lowly plaything, yet you have the nerve to carry yourself like you own the place. Now, get on your knees and answer me!"

I slapped her hand away, unable to hide the coldness in my eyes. "Get your filthy hands off me! Who the hell do you think you are to order me to get on my knees? Before you lay a finger on me, you'd better think very carefully about whether Tristan will chop you up and feed you to the fish!"

After hearing that, she was so furious that she cackled. Her face contorted with rage. "You've got some nerve!" she snarled before slapping me.

I jerked my head to the side. Her palm missed, causing her to stagger a step forward.

Vivian shrieked hysterically, "Who the hell do you think you are?"

I smiled. "What if I told you I'm the one woman Tristan could never have? Would you believe me?"

After all, he'd spent all these years begging me just to see me, and I had never once agreed. In a way, that counted as being unattainable, right?

As soon as the words left my mouth, a deathly silence blanketed the room.

Vivian froze for a split second before the malice in her eyes overflowed. "Let's see how you can still be the woman he can't have if I ruin you today! Get over here and hold her down!"

Kai lunged at me and pinned me against the cold marble floor. "Ms. Kincaid, please calm down. This bitch just doesn't know what's good for her! She's rotten to the core. Do whatever you want with her. If you cripple her, I'll take the blame!"

Eliana hurried after her and planted her foot firmly on the fingers I had braced against the floor. The pain shot straight to my heart, and cold sweat instantly soaked through my back.

Vivian sneered and picked up a box cutter. Slowly, she crouched down and lifted my chin with the cold back of the blade. "What unattainable love? It's only because you happen to have a face you never should have been born with!"

The cold blade dragged across my skin, sending a deathly shiver down my spine. A single drop of crimson blood slowly trickled down the silver blade before splattering onto the floor.

"Imagine how nice it would be if I carved the word 'slut' right into that pretty face of yours!" Vivian raised the box cutter high above her head, poised to drive it down with all of her strength.

With my life in danger, I tilted my head back and yelled at the top of my lungs, "Tristan Harlan, get your ass out here right now! If anything happens to me, you'll have to die with your eyes wide open!"

Chapter 4

The moment the words left my lips, an eerie silence descended.

Vivian could no longer contain her laughter and mockery. "You really are a shameless bitch. You haven't even seen Mr. Harlan yet, and you're already throwing yourself at him! How dare you call him by his name? You really have a death wish!"

The very next second, her gaze hardened, and she drove the tip of the blade into my face. Excruciating pain exploded through me like an electric shock.

"Hold her down! Don't let her budge!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Kai pinned my hands down and forced my entire face against the cold floor. The sickening crunch of my finger bones shattering echoed in my ears.

The agony blotted out my vision, and cold sweat instantly drenched my back.

The man I had loved with every fiber of my being was now personally pushing me onto the chopping block, playing the butcher's most devoted lapdog. A line of searing heat slashed from the corner of my eye straight to my temple, and fresh blood instantly blurred my vision.

Vivian erupted into a deranged cackle. "Once I ruin this face of yours, let's see what you have left to be so arrogant about!"

Kai chimed in with a sycophantic grin. "You're so right, Ms. Kincaid! If this isn't enough to vent your rage, once you're done carving the word, let's take some explicit pictures. Let's see how she ever seduces another man again!"

Eliana sneered, "We're letting her off too easily by slashing her face. Why don't we strip her bare and throw her into the fountain at the main entrance so she knows what happens when she offends Ms. Kincaid?"

As I listened to their revelry, the metallic tang of blood welled up in my throat. Every single wound they left on my body would become an epitaph carved onto their tombstones. Dad's methods would make them understand exactly what it meant to be unable to live or die.

The very next second, Kai reached out and grabbed at the collar of my lingerie. I thrashed wildly, what little strength I had left exploding in a desperate bid to break free.

However, he drove his knee into my spine, the heavy pressure forcing a dull snap from my vertebrae. "Give it up. Right now, you're nothing but a useless piece of meat on a butcher's block."

An overwhelming wave of humiliation engulfed me.

Vivian's smile became increasingly sadistic. She seized the last piece of fabric covering my body and yanked it off.

Then, she whipped out her phone and rapidly pulled up a livestreaming app with her other hand. "Merely dumping her outside doesn't cut it. I'm going live. I want everyone in the capital to see just how filthy this whore truly is!"

Right at that hair-raising second, a deafening explosion shattered the air as the ten-million-dollar rosewood door was shoved open from the outside. A tall, imposing figure stormed in. "Who gave you permission to run amok here?"

The manic look on Vivian's face instantly turned into delight. Raising her phone, she spoke in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Mr. Harlan, you came at just the right time! I was just helping you teach a new toy who doesn't know her place a lesson!"

Kai hurriedly looked up, wagging his tail like a pug. "Mr. Harlan, we specifically found you a woman who looks exactly like your first love, and she's a virgin! We just hope this gesture earns us a chance at that project in the western suburbs!"

Dad's footsteps came to a halt. His gaze swept past the crowd and landed on me where I lay sprawled in a pool of blood.

He saw my face, streaked with blood and tears. The commanding presence that had made him seem like a king of the world shattered in an instant.

I forced myself to lift my head and met his stunned gaze with a mocking smile. "Tristan Harlan, you bastard. You killed your wife and abandoned your daughter! If you'd been one second later, you really would've ended up with no descendants for the rest of your life!"