Chapter 2

2 ""I'll protect you, Lily, run!""

I couldn't sort out my emotions, I shook my head.

""No, you go! Leave me.""

I was badly injured and bleeding; even if I stood up, I couldn't run far.

I had already implicated him once; I couldn't again.

But it was too late. The three thugs kicked Sam to the ground, pummeling him.

My heart ached; I screamed for them to stop, but it was useless.

Chloe grabbed my hair and sneered,

""Lily Miller, your little lapdog is quite devoted. He dares to save you?""

""Let's send you both to hell!""

Blood loss blurred my vision, but I glared at Chloe.

""I advise you to let Sam and me go. You can't afford to hurt me!""

Chloe laughed.

She slapped me again, mockingly.

""Who are you? Ethan is the son of the richest man in the country! Even if I kill you, the police won't touch me!""

""I'll film you being violated and post it online. Let's see if you're still so defiant!""

The three thugs approached again, their eyes lustful.

Sam tried to stop them but they mercilessly stomped on his arm.

I heard a sickening crack, and I trembled with rage.

""Enough! Ethan is just my dad's adopted son! I'm the only biological daughter of the wealthiest family in the country!""

""I can make Ethan leave the Riley family with a single word! If you don't stop, I guarantee your fate will be a thousand times worse than mine!""

Chloe paused, then laughed louder.

""Lily Miller, are you crazy because you couldn't seduce my Ethan?""

""Everyone knows the wealthiest family in the country is the Rileys, and they have no daughter! You didn't even check your facts before lying.""

My heart sank.

The Riley family protected me so well that even stray dogs near me were investigated.

My information never appeared publicly.

I was given my mother's last name, and at age five, I was treated abroad for a serious illness.

The outside world didn't know about me.

I endured the pain in my wrist and glared at Chloe.

""I'm telling the truth! Ask Ethan!""

Even though I knew Ethan wouldn't help, I had to say it.

As long as I could hold on until my dad arrived...

""Lies! I don't believe you!""

Chloe slapped me and pulled me up by the hair.

She held my face, made two thugs hold my hands, and signaled another to grab an axe.

I knew what she wanted, I struggled wildly, butting my head against Chloe.

Chloe was caught off guard and enraged, slapping me repeatedly.

My face burned, but my body grew cold.

Would I lose my hands again?

I despaired. Just as the axe was about to fall, the factory door burst open.

A jeep crashed through the door, hitting the thug holding the axe.

The thugs holding me were startled and released me.

Chloe tried to run, but the bodyguards from the jeep tackled her.

My dad's secretary rushed out, and they took Sam and me to the Riley family's private hospital.