Chapter 2

The blade halted just beside Lucas' cheek, its cold glint reflecting off his suddenly pale face.

I felt no sympathy in my heart, only a cruel sense of satisfaction.

He was finally afraid, realizing I wasn't the fool to be kept in the dark and manipulated at will.

I twisted his wrist and clicked shut the handcuffs.

I stared at Lucas' hand secured to the headboard, his knuckles pale because he was clenching his fist.

His struggling, helpless demeanor reminded me of Liam's smug face.

Very well. Since the two of them conspired to deceive me, they should share the pain.

I gripped the leather belt, its texture rough in my hands.

I swung it down, listening to the sound as it struck his back.

"Ugh!" Lucas grunted, the sharp pain spreading along his spine.

Once, twice... The belt fell more rapidly.

He curled up, cold sweat trickling down his temple. Finally, he spoke, gasping.

"What do you want to let me go?"

Let him go?

When he and Liam emotionally cheated me and plotted to embarrass me publicly on our wedding day, did they ever think about letting me go?

I paused and looked down at him, a cold smile playing on my lips.

As memories of Liam's betrayal flashed before my eyes, anger was boiling within.

Perhaps making this man, who shared Liam's face, my tool and letting Liam be betrayed by someone closest to him would be the sweetest revenge.

I pulled out an agreement from my purse.

"Sign it." I tossed the document in front of Lucas and ordered, my voice devoid of warmth. "This is a contract for keeping you as my pet, sign it. Maybe when I'm in a good mood, I'll let you go."

Lucas struggled to look down. His eyes were scanning the densely packed clauses, each like a heavy chain: Unconditional obedience to Victoria's every command. No disclosure of the agreement's contents to anyone. In case of breach, all assets would belong to Victoria...

The most glaring part was the compensation section where was boldly stating "one dollar a year."

"This is totally a slave contract!" Lucas snapped his head up, his eyes full of defiance. "This is all Liam's fault. You should go after him!"

Seeing his intense reaction, I smiled with satisfaction.

On my way back, I had already had a lawyer draft this document.

Every clause was a custom-made shackle for Lucas.

I wanted him to understand that the cost of betraying me was far heavier than he imagined.

Yet he claimed it was Liam's fault to shirk all the responsibilities?

I leaned down and gripped his chin, forcing him to look at me.

I leaned close to his ear and whispered with a chilling tone. "When you were pretending to be him and sleeping with me, did you not think about this?"

I paused and tightened my grip, then watched Lucas' brows knit in pain.

"Liam is still waiting for the wedding in a week, right? Does he plan to propose to his first love at the wedding, making me a laughingstock?"

Even though Lucas might be aware of me knowing the truth, he still widened his eyes in shock hearing me speak it out loud.

"I need you to play a role." I released him and straightening up, looking condescendingly at him.

"Play my 'loyal dog,' and help me get back at Liam and Vivian.

I noticed the flaws because you were so unconvincing. So, if you mess up again..." My tone carried a hint of menace. "Oh, you didn't think I was just an ordinary woman, did you?"

Having been raised in the Omni Alliance, a criminal organization, I was brutal and commanding like a predator.

Lucas was my prey at this moment, and if he dared to move, I'd ruin him completely.

My fingers brushed over the blade at the headboard, and my gaze was as cold as ice. "I can have you stand here safely like this or make you disappear from this world without a trace. I can make you lose everything at any moment if I want. Then, the agreement won't even be necessary."

As Lucas recalled the breach terms on the agreement, his body trembled uncontrollably.

He opened his mouth and, deflated in the end, said his compromise with a hoarse voice. "I... I'll sign it."

I watched his dejected demeanor with a quick flash of amusement in my eyes.

Hm? So easy to deceive him?

I tossed a pen to Lucas and pushed the agreement closer to his hand. "Sign it. Oh, one more thing."

I picked up the one-dollar bill and brought it to Lucas' mouth. "Hold it in your teeth and say the last line of the contract."

Lucas' body stiffened. Humiliation overwhelmed him like a tide.

But the pain I inflicted on him made him bow his head and bite the bill.

Though his voice was muffled, he articulated the words. "Please keep me as your pet, Victoria."