Chapter 5
When Lydia was five years old, she had been kidnapped and confined in a small, lightless box for three days and nights.
By the time police rescued her, she was barely alive. She developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder-afraid of being alone, afraid of the dark, even afraid to sleep.
Her parents put aside all work to stay with her through therapy for five full years before she finally recovered.
Now, in her emotional state, she couldn’t control the fear buried deep in her heart. The surrounding darkness felt like an invisible hand gripping her, steadily tightening and crushing her…
“Let me out! Julian, I’m scared!” Lydia pounded desperately on the basement door. “Please let me out, I’m begging you!”
“I’m terrified! I’ll die in here!”
Lydia’s fingers clawed at the iron door until they bled, her nails breaking as bloody marks streaked the door…
She felt her breathing becoming increasingly constricted, her head pounding harder. She began banging her head against the door.
Once, twice, three times…
Until she knocked herself unconscious.
Early the next morning, Julian took Vera, both dressed elegantly, to a press conference officially launching “Eternity” on the market with high-price bidding.
As the “developer” of “Eternity,” Vera became the center of attention. Holding Lydia’s research journal, with Julian by her side, she confidently handled questions from reporters and industry experts.
She transformed overnight from a nobody into a star in the renewable energy field.
The press conference ended quickly, and Julian hosted a celebration for her.
“Julian, at such a special moment, Miss Reed should be present,” Vera said, eager to flaunt her success in front of Lydia.
Julian looked at her adoringly. “Okay.”
Julian personally returned to the villa to get Lydia. He wanted her to understand that everything was finalized and wouldn’t tolerate any trouble from her.
The moment the basement door opened, the smell of blood hit him. Julian frowned instantly.
In the dim light, Lydia was curled up in the corner, her head buried in her arms, trembling violently.
Sensing the light, she slowly lifted her head, looking at Julian through thick blood stains.
“Lydia,” Julian gasped, never imagining she would end up like this. “You…”
“Julian, I don’t want ‘Eternity’ anymore. Please let me out-I’m so scared,” Lydia stumbled toward him and fell into his arms. “I don’t want it anymore, I really don’t.”
Julian shuddered slightly but remained silent as he carried her out of the basement.
Vera called to hurry Julian along. He looked at the fragile Lydia on the bed, hesitated briefly, but still answered Vera.
“We’ll be right there.”
Julian ordered someone to quickly clean Lydia’s wounds, change her into a clean dress, and cover the injuries on her forehead with makeup.
Throughout the process, Lydia remained motionless. As they were about to leave, she suddenly stopped.
Chapter S
“Can I have the Reed shares now?” Lydia ventured. “If not, it’s okay just please don’t lock me in the basement again.”
Lydia trembled slightly, still traumatized.
Julian frowned but surprisingly didn’t refuse, immediately having his lawyer prepare electronic documents.
D During the few minutes of waiting, he glanced around and finally noticed something unusual-the living room seemed much emptier.
“Did you throw things away?”
Lydia nodded. “Hmm.”
The air fell into a brief silence, Julian looking like he wanted to say something.
The lawyer’s message arrived, interrupting the silence, Julian and Lydia both signed, making the electronic agreement immediately effective.
Lydia sighed with relief.
The celebration venue sparkled with dazzling lights and bustling activity. Guests clinked glasses, lavishing praise on Vera.
Vera was on cloud nine, her smile never fading.
When Julian and Lydia appeared, she approached them, beaming.
“Miss Reed, have you come to congratulate me too?” Vera made a show of hugging Lydia while viciously whispering in her ear, “Look-everything of yours is mine now. You’re no match for me.”
Lydia’s expression remained numb as she replied flatly, “Congratulations. You’ve won. Can you marry Julian now?”
