Chapter 1 After her father died in a car crash, Sophie Williams became an orphan. Her father's close friend adopted her. He said he was ten years older and told her to call him Uncle Alexander. From then on, she got everything she wanted. Alexander Reed spoiled her so much and she became the most pam- pered little princess in New York. Until her eighteenth birthday, when she stole his cherished bracelet and placed each bead into her secret place. The cool touch felt like his fingers tracing her skin. The next second, the door opened. He saw what she was doing. He couldn't believe it, and was angry with her. He yelled at her for crossing the line, and even daring to have such im- pure thoughts about her guardian. The next day, The next day, he tore up her admission letter to Elite University and sent her to Reformatory-the most notorious institution for moral discipline in Washington. He ordered her to learn propriety from the teachers, to get rid of those dirty thoughts-only then could she come back. But the first day she got there, someone poured mustard into her eyes. On the second day, she was dragged down staircases for two hours. On the third day, a stranger entered her room. Three years later, Alexander came to pick her up. Sophie stood at Reformatory's gates, watching the familiar black Maybach pull over slowly. The car door opened. Alexander stepped out. He still looked cold and refined as before. Unlike three years ago, there was a woman in his passenger seat now. She had on an elegant white dress, with long hair flowing over her shoulders. She offered a gentle smile. "You must be Sophie? Hello, I'm Olivia Lee, Alexander's fiancée. Just call me Olivia." Sophie nodded numbly, and said quietly. "Hello, Olivia." After she spoke, she turned and slid into the back seat. Alexander started the car coldly. "Did you learn your lesson? 0.0% 12:36 Chapter 1 288 Vouchers Do you still have those improper thoughts?" Sophie's fingers trembled. Her heart clenched like a fist had seized it. Memories flooded back-electric shocks, being dragged, being humiliated-and it felt like there was a rock stuck in her throat. It hurt so bad that she could barely talk. She closed her eyes, and whispered, "No. Never again." Alexander frowned. Suddenly, a strange feeling welled up. This was exactly the answer he'd wanted most. So why did he still feel upset? "Good." Sophie smiled bitterly and fell silent. The car raced to the Reed family's villa. Sophie got off and walked toward her room. But when she pushed the door open, she found it had already been turned into a cat's nest. Olivia appeared behind her, wearing an apologetic look. "Sorry, Sophie. Since Alexander and I are marrying soon, I moved in last month. I usually like to help stray cats and dogs-your room gets the best sunlight, so I put the cats here. I'll tell the house- keepers to clear it out right now." # 11 Sophie shook her head. "Don't bother. You're the lady of the house now. Any room is fine." She turned toward the guest quarters, obedient as a doll. At dinner, Alexander catered to Olivia's every need. He placed food in her bowl, and spoke to her softly with tender eyes. Sophie kept her gaze fixed downward. She just ate her rice like none of this had anything to do with her. Olivia glanced at her during a lull and softly urged: "Sophie, don't just eat rice. Have some dishes." Sophie reacted on instinct, like she was following an order. She started shoveling vegetables into her mouth mechani- cally. Even when the food was so hot it burned blisters in her throat, she still swallowed numbly. Olivia smiled at Alexander: "You said Sophie was hard to get along with, but I find her quite docile now. So well-be- haved." Alexander lifted his eyes to study Sophie. He hadn't expected her transformation to be this complete. Since her return, she hadn't shown a hint of rebellion. So he nodded, pretty satisfied: "Seems you learned well there. 32.2 % 12:36 Chapter 1 會 288 (Vouchers Keep behaving like this with Olivia from now on." Sophie finished the entire plate before her and stood: "I'm full. I'll go back to my room first." When she got to her room and shut the door, she finally let out a breath. She pulled a small box out of her pocket-it held the money she'd saved up over the years at Reformatory. Alexander's words echoed-get along with Olivia-but her plan was clear: buy a plane ticket far from here, far from Alexander. She counted the money. Turns out she only had enough for a cheap flight in nine days. She took out her phone and tapped "purchase" with shaking fingers. When the ticket confirmation appeared, she closed her eyes as tears fell. It felt like a relief, but also like it was de- spair. After washing up, she lay rigidly on the woven sleeping mat, and forced herself to close her eyes as in Reformatory days. But maybe it was because she was back in this familiar place, the second she closed her eyes, Alexander's face just kept popping up in her head. His icy stare, and voice echoed from some distant place: "Sophie, you have no sense of decency! This is ridiculous- you even dare to have such delusions about your uncle?" All those memories swirled in her head. Just as she was dozing off, the door suddenly opened. A man walked in, frowned, and said: "Why are you going to bed so early? You forgot your milk." Hearing a male voice, Sophie's eyes snapped open. She sat upright. She'd forgotten she was home. Reformatory rules took over: whenever a man walked into her room, she had to offer immediate service. Slow reactions meant agony beyond endurance. She scrambled forward, and dropped to her knees, fumbling with the man's belt while crying: "Don't hit me! I'll serve you right now-" As the belt loosened, lights snapped on. Through tear-blurred vision, she saw Alexander holding milk. His eyes were filled with shock. "What are you doing- 21″ 67.3% 12.36