Chapter 2The Professional Gold Digger

That year, when the truth came out about what Julian did with his trust fund.

He was beaten until he was black and blue, and then forced into an arranged marriage.

Old Mr. Sterling declared: "The girl you marry will be from a family of equal standing!"

But Julian refused to marry anyone other than Chloe.

So, he came up with a terrible idea.

He brought me back to his strict grandfather's traditional estate and orchestrated a scene where the maids "caught" us exploring the mysteries of youth.

He had dragged me toward the bed in a frantic rush.

It scared the hell out of me.

At the time, I had just turned eighteen. I was dizzy with the moment, actually foolishly believing he liked me.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door was slammed open.

Seeing a massive crowd of people standing outside the door, my face drained of color in terror.

I frantically pulled the blanket up to cover myself.

The humiliation and shame of that moment nearly drowned me.

But it was nothing compared to what Julian said next.

He announced proudly: "Hazel is my girlfriend! She's the daughter of the Hayes family!"

"She initiated it! She took my shirt off for me!"

I have always been smart.

If I wasn't smart, I wouldn't have been the only illegitimate child my father ever brought into the Hayes household.

I instantly understood Julian's little trick.

He was using me as a human shield.

Not only that, but he was using my "scandalous" behavior to highlight how pure and virtuous Chloe was by comparison.

He was basically telling his family: Look, this is the kind of girl from an 'equal standing' family you want me to marry. Barely eighteen, and she's already doing things like this in the elder's house.

Sure enough.

The moment we were alone.

He stated matter-of-factly: "Hazel, you know who I really love."

"When Chloe comes back, you leave. Don't worry, I won't treat you badly financially."

A young girl's dignity isn't worth much.

But his love for Chloe was worth a fortune.

So, I traded my dignity for a very large sum of money.

I nodded.

Julian was very satisfied, sighing: "I knew you were obedient. Easy to deal with."

So now, it was time for him to "deal" with me.