Chapter 1Married Into Power, Crushed Under His Rules

After stealing 3,000 dollars, Eloise Maguire is taken to the main hall by her husband, Zander Pierson, to face punishment.

Chase Pierson, the Pierson family elder, glances uneasily at her pregnant belly. "Our family has stood for a hundred years and is wealthy beyond measure. Eloise is eight months pregnant. Is there really a need to make such a fuss over 3,000 dollars?"

Zander is dressed in a dark gray overcoat, which only accentuates his tall, commanding figure. His distant eyes and cold voice make it clear there will be no room for leniency.

"Julia manages the household. If Eloise needs money, she can ask her for it. Instead, she goes behind her back and takes the money without permission. Even if it's only 3,000 dollars, taking it without permission is still theft.

"We have rules in this family. Anyone who steals is punished by having all ten fingers crushed. As my wife, she should set an example, not giving the younger ones a reason to break the rules."

Chase is at a loss for words. He can only urge Eloise to plead for mercy.

But Eloise doesn't even spare Zander a glance. She supports her lower back as she slowly walks into the room. "I accept my punishment," she says calmly.

"Eloise, have you lost your mind?"

Chase hurries after her. "The punishment is having all ten fingers crushed in a finger clamp. Even a man couldn't endure that kind of torture!

"Zander may be strict about the family rules, but you're his wife. He won't treat you like everyone else. Just beg him for mercy…"

Eloise says nothing. She simply places her fingers into the clamp.

The housekeeper pulls the rope tight, and a searing pain tears through her entire body. Cold sweat trickles down Eloise's forehead as her thoughts begin to blur.

In this lifetime, she steals money twice.

The first time is five years ago, when Zander is struggling to deal with the trouble caused by his sworn enemy.

Eloise returns to her father, James Maguire's, house and takes the entire inheritance her mother left her from the family safe. Her father beats her so badly that she ends up with three broken ribs.

She struggles back to Zander and hands him the bank card containing her entire fortune, telling him to use it to deal with his troubles.

For once, even Zander, known for being cold and reserved, is visibly stunned.

* * *

After a long pause, Zander Pierson flicked Eloise Maguire's forehead and called her a silly girl before taking the card.

It was only later that Eloise learned the Pierson family's problems couldn't be solved with money. Zander simply couldn't stand to see her disappointed.

Eloise's heart warmed. She thought she'd finally earned a place in his heart.

But one day, when she mustered the courage to approach Zander's study, she heard the tearful voice of his widowed sister-in-law, Julia Sinclair. "Do you really not love me anymore?"

Zander swallowed hard and looked away. "You're my sister-in-law. Eloise is my wife."

"I took a bullet for you! Out of all those women you could've married, you chose her. And the reason you've been so good to her is because she reminds you of me, right?"

"Then, divorce her," she begged. "I'll marry you!"

Zander sighed. His expression softened, revealing a tenderness Eloise had never seen before. "Don't do this. Being my wife would be exhausting. But as my brother's widow, you can live however you want.

"I chose Eloise for a reason. She lost her mother when she was young, knows how to brave through hardships, and won't ever go against you. Wouldn't it be better to keep things this way?"

Julia eventually calmed down, but outside Zander's study, Eloise covered her mouth and fought back tears.

So, that was the truth. Eloise finally understood.

No wonder, on her first night as Zander's wife, there was no embrace waiting for her, only a long list of Pierson family rules.

No wonder she had to wake before dawn and spend her mornings and evenings tending to her in-laws, while Julia was free to do whatever she pleased.

No wonder Julia was always picking on her and wouldn't even give her money for the bare necessities, leaving her struggling to afford things as basic as sanitary pads.

The sound of a breaking bone jolted Eloise back to reality.

Her face had gone deathly pale. Even the slightest movement sent a searing pain through her lower abdomen.

"Why are you so stubborn…" Chase Pierson chided.

He shook his head as he walked over. When he saw the blood spreading under her, his eyes widened in horror. "I knew something like this would happen! Get a doctor—"

"No!" Eloise gritted her teeth and forced the word out.

Chase grew frantic. "This is your first child with Zander! Why won't you let the doctor save the baby?"

Waves of searing pain tore through her abdomen. Eloise held back her tears, her voice hoarse. "Three months ago, Zander forced me to drink the tonic Julia sent me.

"Later, I went to the hospital. The doctors said the tonic had caused severe abnormalities, and the baby… was already dead."

Her voice caught, and she couldn't hold back a sob.

This was the child she'd carried and longed for over eight months. If there had been a way to save him, she would've done anything she could.

Chase stared at her in shock. "So, the 3,000 dollars you stole was for…"

"An abortion."

The baby was already gone.

A tear slid down from the corner of Eloise's eye. "Julia wouldn't give me the money, so I had no choice but to steal it. Zander caught me before I could even reach the hospital."

Chase was at a loss for words. After a long pause, he stammered, "I… I see… You should explain everything to Zander. After all, you still have to live together…"

Eloise leaned against the wall as she slowly got to her feet. She gave a rueful smile and said, "I signed an agreement before I married into the Pierson family. If I ever did anything that brought shame to the Piersons, our marriage would end immediately, and I'd leave with nothing."

Chase realized what she meant and held his breath.

Eloise spoke slowly and clearly, "I stole the money, and I've been punished for it. I'm no longer fit to be Zander's wife."

There was no future for them anymore.