Chapter 2

Samuel grew up in the slums.

When I met him, he was only thirteen, dressed in rags and digging through a garbage heap for food.

I gave him the bread I had left over.

He took it and wolfed it down in two bites.

When I tried to leave, Samuel knelt at my feet, clutching my pant leg and refusing to let go.

I softened in that moment and took him home, supporting him financially all the way through college.

After graduation, I even arranged for him to work at the company as Raymond's secretary.

I never imagined that this moment of compassion would eventually push me into an abyss of no return.

A wolf is always a wolf. You can never domesticate one.

The person I treated with all my heart was the one who stabbed me deepest in the back.

Like many people who forget their roots after making it big, that time in the slums was taboo for Samuel—a past he never wanted mentioned.

Samuel's expression changed instantly. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he bristled with rage, pointing at me and shrieking:

"Bitch! You're asking for death!"

"How dare you bring up my past!"

"Believe me, I'll cut out your tongue right now and feed it to the dogs!"

Watching Samuel's furious reaction, I smiled coldly:

"Cut out my tongue?!"

"Are you sure you have what it takes?"

"Don't end up crying in some man's arms again!"

"You..."

Samuel choked, pointing at me unable to speak for a long moment, his face turning red then pale.

It was the shame and humiliation of having the truth exposed.

"Aurora, you're dead today."

Samuel stared at me, eyes full of venom.

The atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly shifted.

The previously noisy private room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's eyes on me changed too, as if looking at someone courting death who didn't know their place.

Everyone knew that Samuel was the precious darling of Raymond, CEO of the Raymond Group.

The Raymond Group had been thriving these past two years, going from strength to strength.

In Massachusetts, who would dare disrespect the Raymond Group?

Crossing Samuel meant crossing the entire Raymond Group.

Samuel roared at the security guards behind him:

"What are you standing around for? Get her! Let this bitch know what happens when you piss me off!"

As his words fell, two burly security guards immediately stepped forward, grabbing my arms from both sides.

The guards' grip was strong, making my arms ache.

"I suggest you let go of me, or you'll regret it."

My voice was cold, as if pulled from an ice cellar.

But Samuel just laughed as if he'd heard the funniest joke:

"Regret?"

"Who are you trying to scare!"

"This isn't five years ago. You're just an ex-con, a poor nobody—like a fly to me."

"Forget hitting you, even if I killed you, what could you do about it?"

I narrowed my eyes, watching Samuel draw closer and closer.

When he was one step away, Samuel stopped, looking down at me from above.

After a long moment, he slowly bent down, grabbed my chin with his hand, eyes challenging:

"Aurora, you're worthless."

"Calling you garbage picker and you still won't admit it!"

Worthless. Garbage picker.

Samuel's voice echoed in my ears again and again. I felt transported back to five years ago.