ond was much stronger than the one Emily shared with her hal

e to me. Just make sure to come

er felt like home. It never o

, managed a small smile and

know, and it's best if Dad doesn't find out either. Next semester, yo

r, I don't

Be good an

large sum, but she swallowed her questions. "No

-

ily home, Emily chang

ly, except for Lisa. She never wan

wer to take on Liam and the Roberts family. First, she n

der called her neither too frequently n

enough, or compliant enough to please him. He seemed to find her distas

r without a trace of warmth, never all

f he disliked her so much, w

on the 30th at precisely 9:00 AM, the money would

hat was why so many women sought wealthy be

nd Emily realized that, for the first time in both this lif

gues. Her department manager, a woman in he

e a boyfriend, she insisted o

education, and a good salary. Emily didn't want to go, but sh

ed, with a flamboyant way of speaking a

raised delicately, making Emily cring

ed, speaking little and maintaining a gentle,

hotel lobby, directly fa

outside, and the doorman imme

n black suits escorted

Greek god of war, exuding an aura of absolute authority, elega

t was Alexander Remington. She

an accustomed to power. The atmosphere in the lobby c

d away, hoping he w

t of her almost immediately. He paused

s from onlookers, he walke

aching, looked nervous. "Do you know him?

up, forcing a calm expression

his voice cold and author

e, he turned and walked towards

ically at her date. "I

hind, she followed Alexander,

uded area, turning to face he

y replied, trying to

eyes narrowe

gh she felt her resolve weak

said bluntly. "You

ve tone. "Our arrangement does

er, his presence overw

back down. "I need a life outside

his voice remained firm. "You can ha

"You can't control eve

eyes darkene

knew she was treading dangerous waters, but

finally. "I'll

. "Good. Now come with me.

had to find a way to balance this precarious situation, to

up here, entangled with a man like Alexander Remington. The path she had

smarter, stronger, and more resilient than ever before. This was jus

n lowered her head, her hands on

patron, why did you have to sh

date, her life would surely

able gasped when they s

clothes, and those bodyguards. He's definitely a high-society gentleman-no,

lanced this way. He mus

self. He was obviou

at

le Emily started to sweat. He had

ys, so shallow and materialistic.

augh. "Really? I

e and pulled out her phone. The name 'Patron' flashed on the

e and quickly answer

9 in five

emotionless, and b

oice but to obey. She fluttered her eyelashes and sp

sorry, but I have an urgent matter at work

urried out. When her patron said five minutes,

he result was... she had been punished so severe

. She headed to the parking lot on the first floor, where she knew

-

, sweating profusely, as she knocked on the

Alexander sitting on the so

his glass, took a sip

ank the wine made her feel li

ruthfully, "I

hat so you can go on dates?" Alexander looked

insisted on setting me up. I couldn't ref

ander ordered, cr

ping her arms around his neck, trying to please him. "Mr. Remington,

d icy. He took another sip of

ur time and attention b

uickly. "Yes,

ing slightly but still firm. "No

her heart. She had to keep up this facade to survive,

. Remington. I

d, and he pulled her closer. "Remember

f her previous punishment flashing

ion softening slightly. "Good. Now,

mind focused. She had to stay sharp and nav

intain her position and achieve her goals. The path ahead was fraught with challenge