Unmasking Hypocrisy: A Tale of Revenge

As soon as I finished speaking, Lauren's venomous gaze landed on my face. She shot me a glare and then adjusted herself to explain everything, ultimately wrapping things up with her passionate speech.

Everyone thought it was just Megan’s prank. But James, who was sitting beside me, didn't share that view.

When he was about to stand up, I quickly pressed him down and said coldly, "The timing isn't right. Don't act impulsively. If you want to know the truth, be patient."

After that, I smiled and looked at Lauren as she walked off the stage.

"Mr. Shaw, I apologize for the commotion today. Can I have Jessica back with me for a night?"

Lauren looked exhausted. Jack quickly stood and wrapped his arms around her waist, frowning at me. "What are you waiting for? Are you that eager to become someone's mistress?"

8.

James looked at Jack in surprise. I hesitated for a moment, exchanged a glance with him, and then followed Jack out. It was the first time I had seen Jack speak so coldly, as if this incident had stripped away their usual pretenses.

I glanced at the two supporting each other in front of me and smiled. As soon as we entered the villa, Lauren's expression darkened immediately. She ordered the servants to search me for all my electronic devices and threw them into the trash right in front of me.

Before I could speak, Lauren mocked me coldly, "Jessica, you’re a sneaky one, aren’t you? Tell me, what benefits did James give you that you dared to embarrass me in public?"

I pretended to be shocked, tears welling in my eyes as I shook my head. "Mom, I really don't know about this. He told me I was the 10th daughter you found. I was scared so I asked you at the event. I was just afraid there might be another daughter appearing."

My voice trembled as I spoke. Jack, who had been frowning, pulled me up from the floor with a guilty expression.

"Alright, let's move on from this."

"And you, why did you have to let Jessica stay with James? Look what's happened now."

This was the first time I had seen Jack scold Lauren. Just as I was about to enjoy the spectacle, Lauren suddenly grabbed my hair and shoved me hard against a nearby table. The sharp pain in my forehead made my breath quicken.

At that moment, I heard Lauren's sharp voice, filled with malice. "You little wretch! I'll skin you alive right now! What are you still doing? If we keep letting her off like this, we're both dead!"

9.

The tingling sensation around my neck forced me to open my eyes and take in my surroundings. During the argument between Lauren and Jack, I had been knocked out. When I regained consciousness, the luxurious villa living room had turned into a damp, dark basement.

I squinted and looked around, finally focusing on a platform not far in front of me. It seemed like someone was lying on it, and as I blinked to see more clearly, the surrounding fog blurred my vision. Just as I was about to get up, a pair of green high heels suddenly appeared before me.

"The effects of the drug wore off so quickly. This is good. Before you die, you'll get to see my great masterpiece!"

It was Lauren. I raised my gaze slightly and asked coldly, "Do you really want to skin me alive? You’re so-called philanthropist and a tycoon. With so many drugs at home, is there a corpse lying on that platform too?"

"It looks like you’ve skinned the previous 10 girls, right?" I sneered.

Lauren was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't expected me to turn the tables so quickly. After all, in her eyes, I was still that girl who would kneel and beg her for mercy.