Chapter 3

The instant I spoke, Sophie's father suddenly interrupted, his booming voice drowning out my plea. "Mr. Hayes, your wife has such a great figure. Even with that pregnant belly, she's so sexy. Just looking at her makes a man unable to resist..."

My hoarse voice was swallowed up.

The man's excited, undisguised gaze fixed directly on me.

That look was utterly disgusting. I clutched my body and shrank back toward the corner.

But after prolonged exposure to the scorching heat, as soon as I lifted my foot, a layer of skin on my sole separated instantly from the flesh, torn open with bright red blood flowing out.

The piercing pain made it nearly impossible to stand on one foot. I staggered and stepped down, the skinless sole pressing against the burning metal floor.

In that instant, the stabbing pain shooting to my scalp made me scream shrilly.

Sebastian clearly heard my scream. He frowned slightly and shot Sophie's father a warning look before standing and walking to the small window.

Seeing the complete footprint of skin and the bright red blood on the metal floor, his heart clenched.

Just as he was about to speak, Sophie bit her lip and walked over weakly.

"Just give Sebastian a simple apology. It doesn't even have to be sincere. You know his temper—if you don't apologize, how could he possibly let you out..."

My internal organs were churning. I was nearly cooked through by the high temperature. I opened my mouth but could barely make a sound.

Watching me, Sophie's lips curved up. She suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself twice, then cried out that she wanted to open the door and be punished alongside me.

"Sebastian, since she won't apologize, just let me go in there and be punished with her. I really can't bear to see her suffer like this. I'll just take all the blame—it's my fault for getting heatstroke, my fault for going to the ICU!"

Seeing Sophie's apparent kindness, whatever softness Sebastian had felt vanished instantly.

He glared at me viciously, his voice full of disappointment.

"Vivian, you've truly disappointed me. You used to have at least some sense of shame, but now you're completely shameless. You hurt Sophie and don't feel even a shred of remorse. Sophie is kind enough to want to accompany you, but you're not worthy!"

"Fine. Since that's how it is, today I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your dead father!"

With that, he waved his hand and ordered, "Go raise the temperature another 9°F. I don't believe her mouth can stay this hard at 140°F! If she won't apologize, she's not coming out!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the other maids in the house rushed over, pleading on my behalf.

"Sir, please forgive her this once. She's eight months pregnant after all. The temperature in there is so high—it could be fatal for the baby."

Sebastian frowned and glanced at me through the small window.

After a few seconds of silence, just as he was about to nod, Sophie suddenly cried out and collapsed.

Sebastian immediately gathered her into his arms. "Sophie, where does it hurt? I'll take you to the hospital."

Sophie shook her head, tears brimming. "I got sick and ended up in the ICU because of my own weak constitution. It has nothing to do with her. Since everyone's pleading for her, Sebastian, just let her go. I'm fine..."

Before she could finish, she curled up in apparent agony, gasping heavily as if about to go into shock.

The "okay" stuck in Sebastian's throat never came out. His voice turned sharp and cold.

"Those who do wrong must be punished. Do as I said!"

The maids glanced at the horrific scene inside the baking chamber and tried to continue pleading, but Sebastian's cold stare shut them down.

"Sophie only made her sunbathe because she was helping with pregnancy care. Not only is she ungrateful, she even smashed windows and hurt people. Even now she shows no remorse—she deserves to suffer! If any of you plead for her again, pack your things and leave immediately."

He paused, then ordered, "Go adjust the temperature! And have an ambulance wait outside."

Hearing this, the maids didn't dare say anything more.

Sophie's mother and Sophie exchanged a glance, then hurried to adjust the temperature.

When she returned, the temperature inside the baking chamber had changed to 158°F.

She'd raised it another full 18°F.