Chapter 5

I spent a day recovering in my room, my back still stinging from the whip marks.

But I had long grown accustomed to this kind of pain.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Vivian walked in, holding an exquisite dress.

“Aurora, it’s Julian’s birthday today. I’m hosting a birthday banquet for him. Would you like to come with me?”

I shook my head. “I won’t go. You two can go.”

Vivian’s smile froze slightly, her tone carrying a hint of threat.

“Aurora, you’d better be obedient, you know.”

Hearing those words, my body suddenly tensed, and my eyes instantly became vacant.

It was as if I was controlled by some invisible force.

I mechanically nodded, reached out and took the dress, then turned to change.

Vivian watched my retreating figure, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

She had long discovered that whenever she told me, “You’d better be obedient,” I would obey without resistance, as if under a spell.

She couldn’t help but wonder, was this a habit formed at The Sterling Institute?

But that school was supposed to teach virtue, so how could it employ such methods?

Before she could fully ponder it, I had already changed into the dress and walked out.

Vivian scrutinized me from head to toe, then nodded in satisfaction.

“Let’s go. The banquet is about to begin.”

In the banquet hall, the lights sparkled, and guests gathered.

I followed behind Vivian, head bowed, like a lifeless puppet.

My appearance immediately sparked whispers among the crowd.

“Is that the little girl Mr. Blackwood spoiled so much? She looks so emaciated, completely devoid of spirit.”

“Right? My son used to have a crush on her, saying she was the brightest, and all the boys in school liked her. But now she looks like a doll.”

“In contrast, she’s completely overshadowed standing next to Mr. Blackwood’s fiancée.”

“Miss Sinclair and Mr. Blackwood are a picture-perfect couple, truly a match made in heaven.”

I paid no heed to these whispers, simply following silently behind Vivian.

Vivian, meanwhile, smiled and walked to Julian’s side, linking her arm through his.

Her voice was sweet. “Julian, so many people are saying we’re a match made in heaven.”

Julian smiled faintly, his tone gentle. “Just the truth.”

When it came time for gifts, Vivian presented an exquisite gift box, her voice tinged with bashfulness.

“You lack nothing, so this time I’m giving you a family planning chart. We’ll be married soon, and I plan to have a son and a daughter after we wed. What do you think?”

Julian paused, instinctively glancing at me standing nearby, then quickly averted his gaze and said indulgently, “Whatever you say, I’ll listen to you.”

Vivian nestled sweetly into his embrace, then turned to me.

“Aurora, what gift did you bring?”

I lowered my eyes, took a gift box from my bag, and handed it to Julian.

Julian opened it to reveal a crystal-clear jade bracelet.

Vivian glanced at it, dismissively saying, “Oh, a jade bracelet. Why would Julian wear a bracelet? You didn’t put much thought into your gift, did you?”

I didn't speak, just looked up at Julian.

As expected, I saw shock in his eyes.

Only the two of them knew that this jade bracelet was a Blackwood family heirloom, meant for the future mistress of the family.

Back then, I had wheedled and charmed him into giving me this jade bracelet.

Julian had simply thought it was a young girl’s caprice, and because he doted on me so much, he gave it to me.

Now, I was actively returning it.

I softly said, “Uncle Julian, I wish you happiness.”

Julian’s heart suddenly clenched. Just as he was about to speak, a scream rang out.

He looked up and saw the chandelier in the center of the banquet hall swaying dangerously.

And the direction it was falling was precisely where I stood!