Chapter 1 An explosive scandal rocked New York University when a video of Josephine Reynolds's first intimate night was leaked to a group chat . The video was filmed in a presidential suite of a five - star hotel . In it , Josephine was naked , pressed against the floor - to - ceiling window by a man a head taller than her , the sound of their movement echoing nonstop . When it ended , the man leaned close to her ear and said , " Good girl . " The two words hit the group chat like a ton of bricks and instantly caused a huge commotion . " That voice ... Could the man be Nathaniel ? " " Josephine is so scheming . She actually hooked up with our school's board director ! No wonder her bullies have backed off . " " I always thought Josephine was a sweet , innocent girl . Turns out she's a calculating slut . Well , she's the daughter of a mistress after all ! " When the news reached Josephine , she was in her dorm , knitting a scarf for Nathaniel . " Her roommate cranked the volume to the maximum . With a smirk , she passed her phone around and spoke in a slow , deliberate drawl . " Josephine , that's some practiced moaning . You must do this a lot , huh ? " Mocking laughter rang in Josephine's ears . She froze , her face pale . The half - knitted scarf slipped from her hands as she stood and rushed out . 15 24 Chapter 1 She stumbled her way toward Nathaniel's office , demanding answers . Yuk Vouchers But just as she reached the door , she heard mocking voices from inside . " Nathaniel , you really didn't show any mercy to Josephine , did you ? You made her face so clear on purpose so she couldn't even explain herself . " Josephine was stunned , coldness spreading through her body . " She deserved it . She messed with Dorothy , the woman Nathaniel loves the most . " " I just feel bad for Nathaniel . He's been through so much - hiring people to spread rumors that Josephine's mom was a mistress , dealing with those who bullied her to gain her trust , and even putting on an act of affection toward her . " " Oh , right , Nathaniel , when do you plan to tell her the truth ? If she finds out the man she's been in love with all this time is actually her future brother - in - law , she'll probably cry her heart out . The thought alone is hilarious . " Lounging on the sofa , Nathaniel slowly tapped his cigarette against the ashtray's edge , his face an impassive mask . As he remained silent , one of his buddies asked , " Feeling pity for Josephine ? She's the reason Dorothy has been suffering for two long years , exiled so far from home . You can't just let her off the hook ! " Hearing the name " Dorothy , " Nathaniel finally reacted . He ground out his cigarette and said flatly , " I'll tell Josephine the truth the day Dorothy returns . " That day happens to be the anniversary she has been waiting for . I'll give her a ' surprise ' and make her pay back everything she owes Dorothy . " Josephine's breathing hitched , and her eyes fell on Nathaniel's stern face 15:24 m Chapter 1 Zapachy through the smoke . She felt as if a big hole had been opened in her heart , and the pain made her vision go black . So the rumors about her mother had all been spread by Nathaniel ! He had pursued and protected her just for revenge . The one he truly loved was her half - sister , Dorothy Reynolds . Josephine couldn't take it anymore . She turned and ran away in panic . But before she got far , a few girls blocked her path . " Well , well , if it isn't the star of that exciting video ! " " You just came out of Mr. Gordon's office . Did you go offer yourself up again ? " Face pale , Josephine tried to escape but was shoved back and forth by the group . Just then , Nathaniel's cold voice came from behind them . " Bully her right in front of me ? Do you have a death wish ? " He had walked out of his office unnoticed and was walking toward them . The girls instantly fled . Nathaniel came up to Josephine and fixed her messy hair . When he bent down to meet her eyes , his fingertip brushed gently across her cheek . " I told you , if anyone bothers you again , you tell them you belong to me . The familiar scent of cigarettes filled Josephine's nose , making her eyes sting . As the countless memories of his protection replayed in her mind , a hazy , 1524 M Chapter 1 dreamlike feeling washed over her . After her mother's suicide , her father , Edward Reynolds , got back together with his first love , leaving Josephine to live a life far worse than an orphan's . Soon , a rumor swept through the school : Josephine's mother was a mistress , and Dorothy was the rightful heir of the Reynolds family . As " the mistress's daughter , " Josephine naturally became a target for bullying . It was Nathaniel who came to her rescue . Using his authority as a board director , he shielded her effortlessly , providing a warmth she desperately needed . Yesterday was Nathaniel's birthday . The two of them , drunk , crossed the line . He , usually so gentle and dignified , pressed her against the floor - to- ceiling window , admiring her trembling body . The moment he slid in , a deep sense of solace settled over Josephine , like a lost bird finding its way home at last . Little did she know , this had been nothing but a trap . Josephine felt her mind spin . When she came to her senses , she found herself settled into the passenger seat of Nathaniel's car .