Chapter 4
It was the scene of my assault from five years ago–my life’s darkest nightmare playing out on screen for everyone’s entertainment.[]
During my senior year of high school, my chronically ill mother had remarried, hoping to secure a protector for me. Instead, she had unwittingly invited predators into our home.[]
They moved in just days before my 18th birthday. My mother passed away shortly after.]
The funeral had barely ended when her new husband and his son cornered me in the empty memorial hall. There, in front of my mother’s portrait, they violated me.
Terrified I might escape their control, they recorded each brutal assault, using the footage to keep me imprisoned by fear.[]
It wasn’t until I managed to steal those videos and threaten to go to the police that I finally broke free, making it to college.]
With no family support, I worked multiple jobs to pay my tuition, determined to complete my law degree so I could personally ensure those monsters Spent spent the rest of their lives behind bars.[]
This trauma was my deepest wound–and now Victoria was casually ripping it open before an audience, under the pretense of helping me. 0
“Tired of playing the innocent virgin, Piper?” Victoria’s voice dripped with venom. “You’ve been rotten to the core all along! Pretending to be pure and untouched for my brother while you were moaning beneath your stepfather? Pathetic.“[]
Rage exploded through me as I lunged forward, grabbing her by the collar.
“What gave you the right to hack into my computer? You’re a woman too–how could you use my most painful memories as entertainment? Don’t you fear karma?”
She shrugged me off dismissively.
“You’re a complete stranger who’s latched onto the Kane family. Of course I investigated your background! I was saving this for your wedding day–wanted to see your face when your dreams shattered at the altar. But this works too. You’re damaged goods who’s serviced multiple men and still thinks she deserves my brother? Know your place, trash.”
Ryder charged forward, shoving me to the ground with such force that I skidded across the floor.]
“You fucking whore,” he spat. “Acting all innocent and frightened in bed, making me feel guilty for wanting you. All this time you were just second–hand garbage! I spent a month feeling bad for being too rough with you–disgusting! They were brutal with you in those videos–why didn’t you play victim for them too?“]
I couldn’t believe the man I’d loved for so long would say such things to his fiancée–a survivor of sexual assault.
“How can you even call yourself human?” I whispered. “No matter when or where, I am not just an outlet for men’s desires!”
The others looked down at me with contempt.]
“Why deny it? The video shows you’ve clearly been around the block!“[]
“Maybe you enjoyed it! No wonder Kane went wild that month–you probably baited him into it!”
“Even the professional escorts at our yacht parties aren’t this shameless. What was Mrs. Kane thinking?”
Victoria smiled triumphantly, pausing the video on a close–up of my anguished face.
“Don’t forget, we still have a game to finish. I’ve got 2 T more of these juicy videos–father and son taking turns. If you want to see her completely destroyed, let’s make sure she loses this hand!“]
The players who had secretly signaled their cards grinned broadly.
“Don’t worry–for content this rare, we’ll definitely make sure she loses!“]
Chapter 4
The dealer cast me a sympathetic glance before dealing the final round.[]
Jackson, who had been leading the betting, suddenly smirked.[]
“Let’s change the rules. Piper bets first this time. After all, she’s broke and out of options. If she can’t come up with something worth our while, we might as well end this farce now.“]
A sly smile unexpectedly crossed my pale face. I glanced at my phone’s clock and began counting down.[]
“Three…“]
Everyone looked confused.]]
Jackson didn’t understand my intention and sneered.[]
“What’s happening? Planning to film something new for us right here? After all those hardcore videos, you’d need all of us participating to top that!“]
I continued counting, unfazed.[]
“Two…“]
“One…”
The table erupted in laughter.[]
“We thought you were about to pull a mountain of gold out of thin air! Did all those men scramble your brain?”
“Who says she doesn’t have a mountain of gold?”
A commanding female voice cut through the room.]
“I’ll bet the entire Kane Corporation’s shares on Piper’s behalf. The question is–are you brave enough to match it?“[]
(1)
In
