The night Thomas was taken to the family mansion for his birthday, I ended up in bed with Richard.

Richard returned around eight o'clock.


The living room lights were on. I sat on the sofa, and he sat down beside me, unhurriedly lighting a cigarette.

I had just showered, wearing only a thin bathrobe, the front slightly open, revealing a glimpse of skin beneath.

Richard stared at me, his eyes darkening.


I clutched my sleeves nervously, looking at him anxiously.

"Claire, your mother must have been a beauty," he exhaled a cloud of smoke, leaning back against the sofa, examining me with sidelong glances.


My fingers tensed, nails digging into flesh. I spoke with difficulty, "You're right, Mr. Collins. However, she's passed away."

Richard fell silent for a moment.

From his expression, I actually detected a hint of melancholy.

"...Is that so?" he asked softly.

Unable to contain my urgency, I immediately changed the subject, laughing lightly, "Mr. Collins, coming back so early—was it just to chat with me?"

Richard raised an eyebrow slightly. "Claire, is this how you seduced my son too?"

My smile froze momentarily. Thomas—if he knew I was now seducing his father, he would surely regret ever knowing me.

I snatched the cigarette from Richard's mouth, put it between my lips, and teased, "Mr. Collins, if that's what you think, you're completely wrong. My target has always been you."

Richard gripped my chin, laughing with a hint of mockery, "I'm curious, Claire. What do you see in me?"

I pushed his hand away, almost laughing to tears. "Money, of course. Mr. Collins, I'll be honest—I need money, lots and lots of money."

Richard suddenly leaned in, his gaze locked on mine. "Claire, has anyone ever told you that your eyes are beautiful?"

His lips were cold, pressing against my eyelids, sending chills down my spine.

I closed my eyes, allowing him to pick me up, carry me upstairs, and throw me onto his king-sized bed.

My body trembled uncontrollably.

The moment his burning body pressed against mine, I knew what would happen next. I would become the filthiest woman, forever damned to hell.

Thomas, I could never be worthy of you again.

There was no turning back now.

That night was torture for me, yet I desperately needed that pain to feel alive.

When I woke up in Richard's bed, it was still dark. He held me in his arms, his fingertips constantly caressing my eyes.

Only my eyes resembled my mother's.

"Sophie..."

I heard Richard murmur in his sleep, and my body suddenly stiffened.

Sophie—my mother's name was Sophia Jenkins. Sophie was her nickname.

Richard had no right to utter that name.

My mother cut ties with her family for him, becoming estranged from everyone, yet he turned around and married a rich woman, abandoning my mother as soon as he climbed the social ladder.

When Victoria threw that thick stack of intimate photos in my mother's face, humiliating and trampling her dignity—

Where was Richard Collins?

Now my mother is gone, and he's pretending to cherish old feelings. Who is he trying to fool?

My hands slowly tightened around his neck. Just as I applied some pressure, he quickly opened his eyes.

"Claire, are you trying to murder me?" He curled his lips, his dark eyes glinting with amusement.