Chapter 3

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed that Rivers likes you. His family owns one of Washington's top tech companies. If you just keep him happy, isn't that better than participating in some stupid competition?"

Rivers walked over, putting his hand on Mueller's shoulder with a smile. "Olivia, don't listen to Mueller. I don't think studying is useless."

"It's just that today's my birthday. Do me a favor, okay? Plus, I invited a lot of classmates."

Mueller wasn't wrong about one thing—Rivers's family company did have business relations with mine.

I didn't want to make things too awkward, so I glanced at the time and reluctantly agreed. "I need to be home by nine-thirty."

But unexpectedly, Rivers took our group to a bar. The bar was chaotic and noisy.

Mueller raised his glass and shouted, "Come on, let's toast to Rivers's eighteenth birthday!"

I didn't drink alcohol. What I raised was juice.

Mueller's face turned cold. "Olivia, what's your problem? Everyone's drinking, and you're the only one with juice. What are you trying to prove?"

I took a deep breath and looked at this brother who was only born minutes after me, saying calmly, "You forgot—I'm allergic to alcohol."

Mueller was about to say something when Rivers stepped in. "Come on, I'm the birthday boy and I haven't said anything. Why are you getting worked up?"

I stood up to go outside for some fresh air.

But suddenly Rivers blocked me at the door of the private room.

"It's my birthday. How about you give me a gift?"

A bad feeling crept over me.

I forcefully pushed away his face as it came closer. "I'm going home."

But the next second, Rivers suddenly grabbed my wrist, pressing his whole body against mine, his breath inches away.

Every hair on my body stood on end. I turned my head and yelled, "Mueller!"

At that moment, I still instinctively relied on Mueller.

But whether it was because the bar was too noisy or not, Mueller didn't hear me. He didn't come out.

I desperately tried to avoid Rivers's touch, my voice urgent and rapid. "Rivers, both our families are respectable. Aren't you afraid I'll tell my parents what you're doing?"

I could only hope my words would intimidate him.

But unexpectedly, Rivers scoffed. "Come on, have you had enough of this playing-hard-to-get act?"

He blew smoke in my face. "Mueller already agreed to let you keep me company. Even if you complain, he can testify that you seduced me."

My scalp went numb instantly. Gritting my teeth, I shouted fiercely, "Mueller, get out here right now!"

"I'm your sister! How dare you do this to me? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?"

My voice was so loud there was no way he couldn't hear me.

But there was no response. The door behind me remained closed.

Just as Rivers's hand touched my shoulder and he forcefully tried to tear my clothes, I gathered all my strength and suddenly lifted my leg, kicking him hard in the groin.

Rivers let out a piercing shriek. His whole body collapsed to the ground, his face deathly pale.

The door behind me burst open with a bang.

Mueller rushed in. "What happened?"

Seeing Rivers's miserable state, he froze for a moment.

He frantically helped Rivers up, and seeing Rivers clutching his groin, he angrily questioned me, "Olivia, what did you do to Rivers!"

I stood up, straightened my clothes, and walked over to Mueller.

Furious beyond measure, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.