Chapter 1: Betrayal

The luxurious presidential suite exuded a chilling sense of danger as Ezran Ella

stumbled toward a door, her breath ragged.

Before she could gather herself, a strong force shoved her inside. The opulent room

seemed overwhelming. "Where... is this place?" she whispered, barely audible,

before slamming the door shut behind her.

"Slut! Get out here! Your parents sold you to me. You can't escape!" a bald man's

coarse voice bellowed from the hallway. "If I catch you, you'll wish you were dead!"

Ezran Ella's hands trembled violently as she pressed against the door, terrified the

men outside would break in. Despite the fear coursing through her, her flushed cheeks

glowed softly under the dim light, a striking contrast to her delicate, porcelain features.

Her mind spun, unable to process the chaos. Outside, fragments of muffled voices

reached her ears: "...Third Young Master..." Then silence.

The heavy footsteps grew faint, disappearing into the distance. Ezran Ella leaned

against the door, gasping for air. Yet an unbearable heat surged through her body,

clouding her thoughts. Gritting her teeth, she clawed at the collar of her dress and

staggered toward the bathroom.

Outside the suite, a man in a crisp suit spoke nervously into a communicator. "Third

Young Master, there's an intruder in your room. Should we remove her?"

Inside the bathroom, a man lounged in an oversized marble bathtub, steam curlingaround his chiseled frame. His thin lips curved into a devilish smile, his deep voice

calm yet commanding.

"No need," he said, his dark eyes gleaming with interest. "Let her come."

Leaning back, he closed his eyes, intrigued by the audacity of someone barging into

his space. Whoever dared to trespass must have a death wish-or an extraordinary

reason.

Moments later, Ezran Ella pushed open the bathroom door. Her dainty steps echoed

faintly as she stumbled inside, her flushed face framed by damp strands of hair.

The man's sharp gaze flicked open as he observed her, a smirk tugging at his lips. She

was like a moth drawn to a flame, oblivious to the danger lurking in the room.

Her lashes fluttered like delicate wings, her crimson cheeks glowing under the mist.

Without hesitation, she approached the bathtub, shedding any pretense of restraint.

The cool mist kissed her fevered skin, offering a fleeting sense of relief.

Ezran Ella's body, consumed by heat and disarray, craved solace. She stepped into

the tub, her trembling hand brushing against his firm chest. The contact sent shivers

through her, and she instinctively leaned closer, seeking comfort from the tormenting

fire within her.

The man's dark eyes narrowed, his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the

room. Su William, the infamous Third Young Master of the Imperial City, didn't

tolerate insolence. Any woman who dared touch him without his permission usually

faced severe consequences.Yet this woman... she was different. Her boldness, tinged with desperation, piqued

his curiosity. Instead of shoving her away, he remained still, his smirk deepening as

he watched her fumble.

Her clumsy movements stirred something within him. His carefully guarded

composure cracked, and a low growl escaped his throat.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, his self-control slipping.

When her tear-filled eyes met his, a mix of helplessness and longing, Su William

could no longer resist. With a swift motion, he wrapped his arm around her slender

waist, pulling her closer. His grip was firm, and the air between them grew heavy as

he took charge, plunging them into an intoxicating whirlpool of desire.

The Next Morning

A ray of sunlight streamed into the room, landing on the soft, flushed cheeks of Ezran

Ella. Slowly, her long lashes fluttered open, revealing a pair of captivating,

almond-shaped eyes.

Every muscle in her body ached, as though she had been crushed under an unrelenting

weight. The events of the previous night replayed vividly in her mind, each detail

sharper than the last. Her delicate hands tightened around the sheets as tears welled up

in her eyes.

Yesterday, she had been the proud, cherished daughter of the Ezran family-a beloved

heiress. But last night had shattered everything. Drugged and betrayed by her fatherand stepmother, she had been sold like a commodity.

"Xiaoxue, this is what you owe me," her father had said coldly, brushing away her

desperate pleas. His retreating figure haunted her, a symbol of her shattered trust.

Though she had escaped the clutches of that repulsive old man, her innocence had

been stolen by a stranger.