Chapter 1

"This is Franklin Manor. If you get too close to a man or seduce any of them, I will strangle you!!!" "No!!!" Iris Lynd was jolted awake from her nightmare, that man's callous face as he threatened her with her life still haunting her mind. Like a demon, he dragged her into hell, imprisoning her before her inevitable execution. Her pale face was covered in sweat as she shuddered in fear—she would never have met the demon named Thomas Franklin if her aunt did not marry into the wealthy and powerful Franklin family… At the thought of that, Iris recalled what had happened this morning. - Franklin Manor was vast, a venue that projected nobility with its garden of flourishing vegetation and the grand structure that stood imposingly. The maid leading Iris turned as she said sarcastically, "We know that your mother is an escort, Ms. Lynd—you would never have made it through the front gates if not for your Aunt Ida. This is a kind reminder that you must comply with the Franklin family's rules and be careful with what you do so as not to embarrass the Franklins!" In reality, Ida had suddenly told Iris she got married a few days ago—despite Iris' misgivings, she had to move into Franklin Manor as well since she had been living with Ida for years. This was just her first day at Franklin Manor, and she was humiliated mercilessly even before entering. She stiffened, her face paling when she heard those vile words. However, she had no choice but to nod. Arriving at the parlor, Ida Lynd and her husband Sean Franklin were already seated on the couch and waiting for her. Sean smiled when he saw Iris enter and said to Thomas, who was sitting nearby, "This is Iris, Tom. She will be your niece from now on, so take care of her and make sure Ike and the others don't bully her." Sean told Iris then, "That's my younger brother, Thomas—I guess he's Uncle Thomas to you now." Iris sneaked a glance at the man who was dressed in a tailored black suit and looked a decade older than her. However, it did not dampen his cold, imposing presence, or his intimidating visage that was no different from the old manor they were in. Iris nervously greeted him, "Nice to meet you, Uncle Sean, Uncle Thomas." Thomas completely ignored her and strode upstairs, while Sean smiled. "Come, I'll show you upstairs. Your room is on the fourth floor." They arrived at a corner on the fourth floor, and Sean opened the door for her, saying, "This is it. Make yourself at home." Iris nodded. "Thank you, Uncle Sean." She heaved a sigh of relief after Sean left. She pushed the luggage inside, closed the door, and headed to the balcony, only to see Thomas standing there! Her whole body stiffened when she saw him—he was staying next door, and their balcony was shared! Thomas strode over to her, his towering figure projecting such a menacing presence that Iris stumbled backward, almost falling over. A strong arm caught her waist before she did, and Iris looked up at him, flustered. He was 29, and his visage was perfect. However, what Iris feared was his gaze, which looked like a blade that could slice through people! Thomas stared fixedly at her condescendingly. He pursed his lips and threatened her icily, "Don't get close to any other man in this manor, including Sean!" Iris did not dare to move and looked him in the face at a loss. He leaned in to whisper coolly into her ear, "If you do, I will strangle you!" It was as if Iris were a small animal under his control. Iris felt pain on her neck right as Thomas tightened his hold around her slender neck. For a while, she started to suffocate, her vision blurring—her memories of being bullied in school flashed in her mind. "You b*tch! You seduced Zach Summers!" "The math teacher is really nice to you, isn't he? I guess there's a special relationship between you two." "Iris Lynd is just like her mother, that famous escort… Just pay her, and you can do whatever you want to them." "Stop trying to seduce others, Iris Lynd, and know your place!" "Why don't you just die?" Agony, humiliation, and the touch of death all flooded her. Just when she thought she would meet her maker, Thomas loosened his hold. She slumped to the floor limply while shuddering. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she did not dare to make a sound. Thomas looked down at her with one hand in his trouser pocket, saying coldly, "Do you understand me?" Iris put her hands on her neck defensively, crying as she nodded. "Yes." An unfathomable looked flashed across his eyes, and he was no longer that intimidating. He then turned around and left. Iris promptly returned to her room and closed the sliding door, pulling up the pale-blue curtains and burying herself beneath her blanket. She shuddered even as she curled up into a ball and cried her heart out. She drifted into sleep later until the nightmare jolted her awake. She came to her senses as a cold breeze brushed against her face. Realizing that their balcony was connected, Iris gingerly locked the balcony door. - The next day, Iris was handing out flyers in the baking sun at the square, sweating buckets. "Please check this out, ma'am. Thank you." "Please check this out, sir…" She wore a cap and a mask to hide her face and avoid unnecessary trouble. When her work hours were over, she changed back into her dress and stuffed the thirty dollars she was paid into her bag before heading to the bus stop. A black Maybach happened to drive past just then. Seeing that it might rain soon, Thomas' assistant Kenny Cook uttered," Sir, I think that is Ms. Iris at the bus stop back at the square." Thomas rubbed his brow, his handsome face remaining aloof as he asked coolly, "You sure have too much time on your hands, don't you?" The impatience and coldness in his voice reminded Kenny of how Thomas couldn’t less about it Meanwhile, Iris waited a long time until the bus finally arrived. However, it started pouring when the bus arrived at her destination in the mansion district. Her white dress was drenched the instant she alighted, and there was no hiding from the rain at the bus stop. She put her most valuable item, a cellphone, into her bag before running back in the rain. By the time she reached Franklin Manor, she was already soaked through, her white dress sticking to her body and exposing her figure. Even the outline of her bra was completely visible. Her long hair was spread all the way down to her waist, and the water dripping off her seemed to magnify her beauty. She shuddered from the cold despite it being summer. The huge parlor was quiet—Ida and Sean had gone on their honeymoon, and since she was an orphan Ida brought along to Franklin Manor, she hardly fit into this castlelike manor. She gingerly headed upstairs. When she just arrived on the third floor, she heard the door open. Fear could be seen in her bright eyes when she met Thomas' glare. She tried to hurry past him to her room, but Thomas caught her and pinned her against the wall in the hallway! "Ahhh!!!" she cried out in panic. She could smell the scent of nicotine from him. He was brutish and vicious, his hand holding her waist with a vice-like grip and hurting her! He leaned his tall form over her, his handsome face contorted with a cruel look on his face as he grinned. "Trying to seduce me with that pathetic look?" Iris' face turned pale, and her eyes were red. She had worked the whole day and was drenched in the rain, but that did not get her upset. Now, however, the man's hurtful words were a slap to her face, making her feel humiliated. She choked out some words with aggrievance. "I'm not—" He seized her chin right then, stopping her as her lips curled in savagery. Iris cried and flailed, but she was too weak to push him away. She could only beg with her voice quivering, "Please, stop…" She could feel his body's scalding warmth through her wet, thin dress, which terrified her. Even so, Thomas looked vicious, his eyes cold as he looked her from head to toe. "Stop? You're basically handing out invites with this getup, aren’t you?" There was no desire in his eyes, only chilling contempt. He looked became colder when he saw her shaking her head while crying. He growled icily, "Since you’re such a sl*t, I’ll fulfill your wish!" Rip— Iris' dress was ripped apart!