Chapter 1

Penelope Cooper's life was a total nightmare.

Her dad, a doctor, got framed while treating some big shot and ended up using the wrong meds, which killed the guy.

The big shot's son, Kelvin Davis, was the top dog in Los Angeles. When his dad died, he went ballistic.

Kelvin didn't care about any explanations and used his clout to throw Penelope's dad in jail.

Her mom couldn't handle it and got so sick she ended up bedridden and unconscious.

Kelvin took his anger out on Penelope, making her life a living hell.

He even had her locked up in a mental hospital and told the staff to treat her like dirt.

He wanted her to suffer more than anyone could imagine.

Two years flew by, and Penelope's life in the mental hospital was pure misery.

She barely got enough to eat and had to scavenge for food, fighting off stray dogs and cats.

She lived like a homeless person.

But Penelope never gave up; she had to stay strong for her parents. As long as she was alive, there was hope!

One day, the hospital director, Michael Wright, barged into her room.

"Penelope, someone's here to get you!" Michael announced.

Penelope was shocked. "Who?"

Since her dad went to prison, everyone she knew had ditched her. Who would come for her now?

Michael just said, "You'll see."

Penelope couldn't believe she was leaving. Without Kelvin's say-so, who would dare to rescue her?

With a mix of nerves and hope, she walked out of the hospital. A car pulled up in front of her.

Before she could see who it was, three guys jumped out and threw a black sack over her head!

"Help..." she tried to scream, but a heavy blow to her neck knocked her out cold.

When she came to, she was tied to a big hotel bed, unable to move.

What the heck was going on? Where was she?

Remembering what happened before she blacked out, she had a bad feeling.

A bald, chubby old guy named Gordon Brooks stood in front of her, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "You're so pure, I like you!"

Penelope realized Michael had set her up!

No one was coming to save her; she was being handed over to this creep!

"Stay away," Penelope snarled, "Get lost!"

"If you make me happy, I'll treat you well," Gordon said with a nasty grin, lunging at her. Penelope quickly thought of a plan.

"Wait!" she shouted.

Gordon paused, "What now?"

Penelope giggled, "Don't rush, let's take it slow. You need to untie me first for more fun."

Gordon smirked, "Alright. Like you can escape."

The second the rope was off, Penelope kicked Gordon hard where it hurt most. He let out a painful scream!

Seizing the moment, Penelope bolted out of the room!

"Catch her!" Gordon yelled.

She could hear footsteps chasing her.

If they caught her, it was game over!

In her panic, she spotted a slightly open door. Without thinking, she dashed in and locked it behind her.

Breathing heavily, she suddenly felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist!

"A woman?" a deep, hoarse voice said in the dark.

Penelope felt his body burning hot and panicked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"Use you to neutralize the drug in me," the man said, picking her up and tossing her onto the bed.

She couldn't see his face but caught a familiar scent.

His voice and smell reminded her of Kelvin!

No way, Kelvin couldn't be here!

"No, let me go!" Penelope sobbed, struggling. "I don't want this. I'm not that kind of woman."

The man whispered in her ear, "I will marry you."

His lips silenced her protests.

As dawn broke, the man finally fell asleep.

Penelope was sore all over. She thought she had escaped one nightmare, only to fall into another.

Her life was already a mess. When would she catch a break?

Even though this guy was a thousand times better than Gordon and promised to marry her, she couldn't drag him into Kelvin's wrath. She couldn't do that to him.

With that in mind, Penelope got dressed and quietly left the hotel.

Standing on the street, she felt lost.

She could try to escape, but LA was Kelvin's territory, and every exit was guarded. Even if she got out, where would she go?

Plus, her parents were still here; she couldn't abandon them.

Just as Penelope was contemplating her next move, the staff from the mental hospital appeared and forcibly took her back to the institution.

The Next Day.

"Penelope Cooper, you're being discharged."

Michael Wright, the director of the psychiatric hospital, sneered as he glared at her, his voice low and menacing.

"You're just a toy for Mr. Davis, you know that, right? If he finds out you've lost your purity, your fate will be worse than ours!"

Michael shoved Penelope hard, causing her to stumble and hit the wall.

She bit her lip, enduring the sharp pain in her shoulder.

Even if Michael hadn't said anything, Penelope would have kept it a secret herself.

She knew that any mistake she made would be used by Kelvin Davis as an excuse to continue tormenting her.

She couldn't die yet.

She had to stay alive to clear her father's name.

Her mother was still waiting for her to pay for her treatment.

Michael's eyes widened in panic as he noticed the bruises and marks on Penelope's body. Fearful that his actions would be exposed, he slapped her hard.

"You really are a slut. Whose bed did you crawl into last night? Speak!"

Penelope fell to the ground, clutching her clothes, remaining silent.

She didn't know. She only remembered being drugged and thrown into a room by Michael. With the last bit of her sanity, she had escaped through one door, only to accidentally enter another, where there was a man. She hadn't even seen his face clearly before she fled again, only to be captured and brought back to the psychiatric hospital.

Seeing Penelope's silence, Michael grew more anxious.

Just as he was about to continue threatening her, footsteps approached from a distance.

"What are you doing?"

Kelvin's cold voice, like a winter chill, made Penelope shiver.

That voice. She would never forget it.

Two years ago, he had refused to listen to any of her explanations, convinced that her father, the lead surgeon, had killed his father.

In one night, her once-happy family was destroyed. Because of Kelvin's distrust, her father was falsely accused of murder and imprisoned, her mother had a stroke and fell into a coma, and Penelope was thrown into the psychiatric hospital by Kelvin himself. Until now.

Michael's tone changed instantly, becoming obsequious.

"Mr. Davis, rest assured, we've taken good care of Ms. Cooper as per your instructions. Just now, she was being disobedient, so I was about to discipline her."

Kelvin looked down at her, noticing her worn-out shirt, yet she was neatly dressed. A cold smile tugged at his lips.

"Penelope, it seems you're doing quite well here."

He had sent her here to atone, not to enjoy herself.

Suddenly, Kelvin grabbed her jaw forcefully.

He squatted in front of her, his grip so tight it felt like he was going to crush her bones.

"It seems your punishment isn't enough. Come with me."

Penelope shuddered, the familiar scent around him making her uneasy.

Her eyes welled up with tears from the pain, her red lips contrasting with her pale face.

Despite her tormented appearance, she still looked alluring.

The pain in her jaw made Penelope break out in a cold sweat.

Her face turned ashen, and she stammered, "I... I don't want to go!"

This demon, if he took her away, it would only mean more torture!

Kelvin's expression turned icy.

"Penelope, the Cooper family should be atoning for my father's death every moment. Do you think you have the right to refuse? The consequences of disobedience are something you can't bear."

Kelvin let go of her and turned to leave, confident that Penelope wouldn't dare resist.

The color drained from Penelope's face.

She clung to the wall, inching forward, following Kelvin like a puppet on strings.

Outside, Penelope shielded her eyes from the blinding sunlight.

The wind outside seemed free, and she hadn't seen the outside world in a long time.

Suddenly, the sharp smell of alcohol hit her, making her cough.

Penelope covered her face in panic, avoiding the alcohol from getting into her eyes.

Kelvin casually tossed the alcohol bottle aside, elegantly wiping his hands, and said coldly, "Get rid of your bad luck."

Penelope's eyes reddened as she lowered her head, looking like a frightened rabbit, her wet shirt clinging to her body.

In the sunlight, her pale skin and disheveled hair, along with her flushed cheeks from arguing, made her even more enticing.

Kelvin's eyes darkened, recalling the woman from last night. He unconsciously took a step forward.

Penelope instinctively stepped back, her back pressing against the cold car door.

The distance between them was so close that they could hear each other's breaths.

Just a little closer, and their lips would touch.

Penelope saw the desire in his eyes clearly. Her waist was tightly held by him, pulling them even closer.

A wave of immense fear and panic surged within Penelope.

Tears welled up in her eyes, her hands trembling, her voice filled with fear.

"Don't, Kelvin. Don't do this."

Kelvin's eyes darkened, his desire turning into a nameless rage.

He pressed Penelope's body against the car, one hand pinning her wrist, and kissed her forcefully, with a mix of punishment and aggression.

Penelope struggled, but it was futile. The difference in strength left her no choice but to endure, barely able to breathe, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth, her whimpers swallowed.

Suddenly, Kelvin felt a chill and saw the tears on Penelope's cheeks. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes, but it was quickly consumed by overwhelming hatred.

He tightened his grip, his voice turning from desire to mockery.

"Penelope, do you think crying will help now? The Cooper family owes me, and you will repay it!"

Suddenly, a phone call interrupted.

Kelvin glanced at the screen impatiently, his earlier desire completely dissipated, replaced by annoyance.

Audrey Jones was his stepmother's chosen fiancée for him.

As soon as he answered, Audrey's deliberately coquettish voice came through.

"Kelvin, where have you been? I haven't seen you for days. You missed our date yesterday. What about our engagement..."

Kelvin looked down at the crying yet defiant Penelope in his arms and suddenly had an idea.

Since he couldn't find the woman from last night, he would make Penelope take her place.

Kelvin's throat tightened, his voice hoarse. "I'm already married."

Audrey's voice turned sharp, immediately protesting.

"Impossible! Kelvin, you and I... Our parents arranged this! Your father only passed away two years ago."

Kelvin's eyes flashed with impatience. He didn't want to hear her nonsense and hung up the phone.

Turning, his dark gaze fell on the trembling Penelope, his smile widening.

He wiped the blood from her lips, his voice like a demon from hell.

"Scared now? Penelope, from now on, you'll be my wife in name, but in reality, just a dog by my side. You should atone for the Cooper family's sins."