The silver lightning, crackling and dancing, seemed to be tearing open the sky. In an instant, it lit up the hillside villa, followed immediately by a booming thunder that erupted directly overhead.

The interior of the villa was incredibly luxurious. Even the floor was adorned with antique-style ceramic tiles, designed by five internationally renowned designers who were specifically invited years ago to create the unique pattern. Construction of this villa took three years, from the groundbreaking to completion. It became the favorite residence of the sole heir to the Landons’ business empire.

Enormous raindrops splattered against the large windows. It was highly unusual to experience such intense rainfall in the South, especially in February, which was often seen as a bad omen.

"Heavenly Rain Pavilion, the name you gave it years ago. Despite the building resembling an ancient Roman structure, decorated like a European palace, you insisted on giving it such a soft, nonsensical name that it feels mismatched and a waste of a good place.” Liam Parker said with a smile, his tone laced with indulgent helplessness.

"You are always like this, stubborn and wilful. You have been held so high by the people around you that you can't see the real world anymore. You think with just a bit of cleverness, you can manipulate everyone into the palm of your hand," he continued. As Liam spoke, he bent down, his initially gentle face now illuminated by the lightning, revealing its harsh true nature. "Regrettably, the Landons were still ruined because of you. At today's auction, your family house was sold for a large sum of money!"

"Get lost!"

Liam had just finished speaking when the person sitting on the floor kicked him. The sound of rattling chains followed, a two-finger-wide tungsten steel cuff tightly clamped onto a slender wrist, completely restraining the person. It had been like this for five years.

Olivia Landon lifted her head, her long hair cascading messily over her face, shoulders and down her back. Her sharp eyebrows peeked through, and her piercing gaze, like a knife, was fixated on Liam. She didn't have much strength left. Years of medication had caused her body to become extremely weak, and she could barely even tolerate the weight of the chains.

“Why can’t you just learn to behave?”

Liam stood up, shaking his head at Olivia. He wasn’t really hurt by the kick, after all, the only person who ever dared to treat him like this was always Olivia. In the past, when she would throw a tantrum, her kicks hurt far more than this one, yet he would always respond with a smile, trying to placate her and bring her into a happier mood. However, there was no need for such self-abasement anymore.

Her long black hair, which once had a cherished shine, now felt lifeless, like a handful of straw when he tugged on it. Olivia’s scalp stung as Liam jerked her up by her hair.

"Apologize to me.”

Olivia, looking at Liam's face so close to hers, only felt sickening disgust.

Liam couldn't avoid Olivia's disgusted spit landing across his face, but he cleaned himself with a silk handkerchief. In a fit of anger, he slapped her, sending Olivia reeling backwards. Her face began to swell immediately.

Liam repeated once again. "Apologize!"

But Olivia erupted into laughter instead, a trail of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth.

"If you dare, kill me!"

What Liam couldn't stand the most was the way Olivia's dark eyes stared at him, as if she were looking at a worthless lowlife who would never be of any value.

"You're seeking death, I'll grant you that wish," he said.

Liam, who maintained a mask for over thirty years, felt it shatter, all due to that single look from Olivia.

Olivia lay there, gritting her teeth in silence. She should have died a long time ago. Liam’s bout of violence was interrupted by a knock on the door, causing him to promptly withdraw his hand. He gazed down at Olivia lying motionless on the ground and sneered.

“How could you be so ruthless towards your own wife?” Belle Martin asked. Dressed in a deep green bodycon dress and an extravagant fur coat, she sauntered in, looking pomp and confidence. Just the sight of Olivia prostrate on the ground like a beaten dog brought her a measure of satisfaction.

“How did you get here?” Liam asked, regaining his composure and drawing the approaching Belle into his embrace.

“We're close after all. Of course, I had to come see her off. A gentleman in Africa has offered a high price. He claims to have seen her once years ago, was struck by her beauty, and now wants her for his private collection."

Belle's eyes fell on the large bruises on Olivia’s body and gave Liam a reproachful look. “You’re really too rough."

“You enjoy my 'rough' side, don't you?", Liam replied with a smirk. With this, he began to paw at Belle in front of Olivia. Belle let out a couple of heaves, thrilled at the thought of possessing the man Olivia once loved dearly right in front of her.

"Go easy, she's is still here...”, Belle said, glancing at Olivia. The more she protested, the more lewd Liam's actions became. Eventually, they both began undressing and tangled together until a sudden clap of thunder sent them both scuttering.

A little put off, Belle looked at Liam, who refused to stop. Ignoring Olivia barely clinging to her life, he pulled Belle towards a nearby room.

Olivia remained motionless on the floor for some time until she heard an unusual sound. She quickly turned her head. A large shadow loomed through the floor-to-ceiling window, which was now open, as a figure quietly stepped in.

It was chilly and misty. Olivia watched expressionlessly as the man began unlocking her chains. With two faint clicks, the heavy chains fell off her body. Feeling a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time, Olivia attempted to speak, but before she could, the man scooped her up and carried her away.

All Olivia could hear was heavy panting, unable to make out who had come to her rescue. Even after trying to take a glimpse of the person twice, she was unable to discern their features.

"Stay still."

The low, raspy voice came from the man firmly restraining her. Although Olivia knew her chances of escaping were slim, oddly, she felt at ease.

Despite the stinging cold rain pelting down on her, she didn’t feel chilly at all. She realized how long it had been since she had breathed such refreshing air. The sound of barking dogs was already echoing behind them. They seemed to be surrounded.

Located halfway up a mountain and surrounded by the sea on three sides, Olivia had once thought her villa was a beautiful place. But now, she found that beneath all this apparent beauty lay a lethal blade directed at her.

"Who are you?" she asked. Olivia couldn't understand why the last person to risk their life for her would be someone she didn't even recognize.

The man halted momentarily, then gently put Olivia down, choosing to shield her with his own body from a gang of bodyguards armed with iron rods. It was clear that there was no way out.

Olivia stood there, watching as the man was quickly beaten to the ground. The sound of the iron rods smacking against flesh, the noise of bones cracking, were all terribly distinct, even amidst the raging storm.

Soon, the man lay unmoving. Olivia stared numbly at the man who had died because of her. He was probably the last one.

"Olivia, you dare try to run!" roared Liam as he stormed through the crowd.

Olivia bent down to cradle the cold body of the man who had died protecting her. With him in her arms, she sat at the edge of a cliff as she looked at Liam making his way toward her.

"Every traitor will meet a terrible end!" Her final words tore through the air like a soul-deep curse, causing Liam to pause.

With deep resolve, Olivia, holding the lifeless body, jumped into the stormy sea. As a bolt of lightning struck, she caught a clear glimpse of the face of the man in her arms...