Chapter 2

Three years later.

The prison gates creaked open, and Gloria stepped out, one foot in front of the other.

Three years behind bars had left her already slender frame even more gaunt. The dress she wore when she was incarcerated had faded and hung loosely on her body.

In the harsh sunlight, Gloria's face, already small and delicate, looked even more hollow, making her eyes appear disproportionately large and lifeless.

"Number 037, your belongings." A guard's voice came from behind her. Gloria turned to receive her things, but her outstretched hand grasped at nothing.

A deflated cloth bag was tossed to the ground. Not far away, the guard's eyes were filled with disdain. "Make sure you live right out there. You're not the Russell family's princess anymore."

Gloria acted as if she hadn't heard, calmly crouching down to pick up her things.

As she stood up, her vision darkened, and she swayed slightly.

Her collar fluttered, revealing her bony collarbones and a patchwork of scars, both old and new.

Not a single day in those three years had been easy for Gloria.

Even on the day of her release, they hadn't let her off. They were even more brutal because she had earned a reduced sentence for good behavior.

Gloria squatted on the spot for a while before she regained her strength.

Her bag was nearly empty, containing only her passport.

She put the passport away, tossed the bag into a trash can, and walked to the roadside to wait for a ride.

The prison was in a remote area, and cars were few and far between.

Gloria didn't know how long she waited before she finally flagged down a taxi.

"Crystal Lake Villas," she said hoarsely, her first words since being released.

She wanted to go home.

The driver started the car slowly, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Are you visiting someone in prison at this hour?"

Gloria corrected him calmly, "I just got out."

The driver fell silent.

Gloria tugged at her lips in a semblance of a smile and turned to look out the window at the passing scenery.

After being confined behind high walls for three years, she hadn't seen the outside world for so long.

Now, even the passing trees and grass seemed unfamiliar.

The car slowly came to a stop at the entrance of Crystal Lake Villas.

Looking at the familiar yet strange street, Gloria felt a vague sense of unease. "Please wait a moment, I..."

Just as she was about to open the car door, she saw the front door of a villa slowly open.

A woman she didn't recognize came out, holding a child's hand and smiling. She turned back to lock the door.

Gloria's words caught in her throat.

That villa used to be her home, but now...

Seeing the woman walk out, Gloria couldn't help but get out of the car and block her path. "Excuse me, did you buy that villa? The people who used to live there..."

Her sudden appearance startled the child, who began to cry.

The woman glared at her in annoyance and walked around her without a word.

Gloria stood there, stunned, watching them walk away.

Behind her, the driver honked the horn. "Are you the Russell family's daughter who went to prison?"

Gloria turned around, pressing her lips together. "I'm sorry, I might not be able to pay you right now. Can you give me your contact information? I'll pay you as soon as I can."

The driver, however, pulled out some cash and handed it to her through the window. "Take it. My daughter was sick once, and the Russell family foundation helped her. I can't do much for you, but I can give you this."

It was only two hundred dollars. In the past, Gloria might have felt ashamed, but now, she couldn't afford to.

"Thank you." She took the money and bowed deeply.

It wasn't until the taxi drove away that Gloria slowly straightened up, looking in the direction of the former Russell Villa, her eyes red.

In the three years she was imprisoned, her parents and brother had visited her at first, promising to clear her name.

She had thought that Sebastian had changed his mind and spared the Russell family, even feeling a sense of relief.

But soon after, the Russell family had gone silent.

Until that day, when she was punished for fighting back during a beating, forced to eat her cold meal in a corner, surrounded by mocking eyes, Gloria didn't care.

The only thing she cared about was the news playing on the cafeteria's big screen.

The Russell family had been convicted of economic crimes, sentenced by Sebastian himself. Her father was given seven years.

The screen flashed, and the next news item was about Sebastian's engagement to Amara.

On the screen, Amara clung to Sebastian's arm, smiling sweetly. "I've known Seb since we were kids. He doesn't mind my past and is willing to marry me. How could I not be grateful?"

The cafeteria erupted in chatter, with people praising Sebastian's integrity and saying how well-matched the couple was.

At the same time, some looked at Gloria with disgust, spitting at her and throwing trash, while the guards turned a blind eye.

Gloria was numb.

She lowered her head, mechanically shoveling food into her mouth, tears streaming down her face, not even bothering to wipe them away.

In the end, she had dragged her family down with her!

For three years, she had worried about the Russell family every single day.

But after that day, she hadn't heard a single piece of news about them.

Gloria had thought it was just the prison's isolation, that things would be better once she got out.

But now, standing at her former home's doorstep, she still knew nothing.

So much had happened in three years, and the only place she could think to find her family had become someone else's home.

Thinking of the past, Gloria's eyes gradually hardened.

The Russell family had been ruined because of her. No matter what, she couldn't let herself be defeated.

The immediate priority was to find a place to earn some money and settle down, then slowly gather information.

Gloria exchanged the two hundred dollars for smaller bills and took a bus to the city center.

As expected, with her criminal record, almost no one was willing to hire her.

The only place that would take her was a nightclub, where the job title was "sales," but in reality, it was escort work.

Gloria had no choice. That very night, she changed into a revealing maid outfit and stood in a line with other scantily clad escorts, waiting to be chosen.

The private room was filled with the glow of neon lights and the scent of money.

A few rich young men scrutinized them with critical eyes. "This batch looks good, but they seem too timid. Why the long faces? Mr. Miller is watching. Smile! Which one does Mr. Miller like? You get first pick."

In the crowd, Gavin Miller lazily loosened his collar, his gaze roving over the escorts. "Let's hear you call me Mr. Miller."

At his words, the escorts he looked at began to call out in sweet, coquettish voices, each one more affected than the last.

It was Gloria's turn.

This was her first time in such a situation. Despite trying to mimic the others, her voice was still awkward.

"Mr. Miller." Her tone was a mix of reluctant flattery and a hint of unyielding pride.

Someone immediately took offense. "If you can't do it right, get out and let your boss send someone else!"

Gloria's heart sank.

This was the only job she could find. If she got fired, she had no idea where else to go.

Just as she was about to apologize, Gavin's amused voice cut in. "I like this type. You, come here."

Gavin's eyes were fixed on her.

Gloria hesitated for a few seconds, then forced herself to walk over.

"Being chosen by Mr. Miller is a blessing. Serve him well, and you'll be rewarded." Someone gave her a shove.

Gloria yelped, losing her balance and falling forward.

The next second, a strong hand caught her waist, pulling her into a firm embrace.

Gavin's teasing voice whispered in her ear. "Throwing yourself at me? You seemed pretty good at it just now. Why the act?"