Gilded Lies

The day before my engagement, my fiancé bankrupted my family's company, absconding overseas with Jade Jefferson and all the funds. My parents, driven to despair by ruthless creditors, took their own lives. I went to the Griffins to seek justice, only to be drugged by the Griffin's elder and delivered to a gambling yacht.

Dozens of men dragged me into a private room, filming countless humiliating videos. Just as I was about to give up and throw myself into the sea, my fiancé's older brother suddenly appeared. He became my only salvation.

The man cleared all obstacles for me, avenged me against those who had wronged me and told me he had admired me for a long time. He said he didn't care about my past. To marry me, he severed ties with the Griffins and gave me a grand, once-in-a-lifetime wedding.

Five years into our marriage, I boarded a yacht as Mrs. Griffin once more. Unexpectedly, I overheard his conversation with a friend. "Jordan, how can you be so cruel? You drugged Willa Schmidt to ruin her innocence for Jade's sake. Now, just when she's finally pregnant, you're bringing her back here to repeat that nightmare?"

"Cruel?" Jordan sneered. "I promised Jade that only her child would inherit the Griffins. Willa's bastard has no place here. Besides, a filthy woman like her doesn't deserve to give birth to my child. Did you find those men again? Do the same as five years ago, no need to hold back. Just make sure Willa loses the baby and be careful, don't let her catch on."

So, what I thought was salvation was just another abyss. What I thought was love was nothing more than his carefully woven lies. Since that's the case, I'll help him get what he wants.

——

On the deck, Jordan stood against the sea breeze, his voice laced with regret. "Since Jade chose my brother, the least I could do was clear all obstacles for her. Ruining the Schmidts was just the first step. Their wealth? Consider it my wedding gift to them. Willa is already tainted. Someone like her doesn't deserve to bear my child."

His friend frowned, visibly disturbed. "But you were the one who hired those men to drag her into that room five years ago. Ever since she's suffered from depression. You've been by her side, treating her all these years. You know better than anyone what she's been through. Now you're doing it all over again. How is she supposed to live with this?"

Jordan's expression darkened as he lit a cigarette. Through the swirling smoke, he spoke coldly, "If it comes to that, I'll just keep treating her. But no matter what, her child cannot be born. I promised Jade. I won't let Willa become a threat to her."

"And what about Willa? Does she deserve to be manipulated like this? She's innocent! She loves you so much, how could you … "

"Enough," Jordan interrupted icily. "Just follow my plan. If she wants to blame someone, she should blame herself for appearing at the wrong time. Give me the drug. I need to make sure she drinks it myself."

His companion could only sigh and turn to go after realizing that trying to convince him would not help. Tears streamed down my face, carried away by the cold sea breeze into the night. I hugged myself, trembling uncontrollably.

Five years ago, Jasper Griffin bankrupted my family's company, taking all the money and fleeing overseas with Jade Jefferson. The creditors drove my parents into desperation, causing them to commit suicide. I went to the Griffins, seeking justice, only to be drugged and sent onto this very yacht. I became a plaything in the dark games of the elite.

Dozens of men dragged me into a private room, filming countless humiliating videos. I climbed to the deck in despair, ready to jump into the sea and die. It was Jordan who suddenly appeared and hugged me in his arms. He gave me the only warmth.

Jordan Griffin gently wiped away my tears and blood one by one as he said, "Wait for me, I will not let anyone who bullied you go."