Chapter 3

When I woke up, I was tied up in an abandoned factory.

The throbbing pain in the back of my head hadn't subsided when one of the kidnappers inserted a needle into my finger.

I wanted to scream from the pain, but my mouth was gagged.

Just as the second needle was about to pierce my skin, a voice came from the shadows: "Stop."

I instantly looked up. Even though the person was masked and using a voice changer, I recognized him as Derek.

He walked up to me, his exposed brows furrowing slightly when he saw the blood on my hand.

But he quickly turned his back, clenching his fist as he spoke, "This is a small price for a boss with no empathy like you. Don't forget where you came from."

So, he kidnapped me to get back at me for Chloe.

Derek really had fallen for Chloe. But he forgot that everything he had was because of me.

I pressed the emergency button on my wrist. In less than ten minutes, my exclusive security team would track my location.

Just then, Derek's phone rang.

Chloe's soft voice came through: "Derek, why does this bracelet you gave me keep beeping? It's so annoying... Please come back, I'm scared..."

Derek abruptly hung up, instinctively looking at me, then delivered a forceful blow, knocking me unconscious.

My consciousness slowly faded. I never imagined Derek would secretly give my security bracelet to Chloe.

When I woke up, I was back in the hospital.

Derek sat by my bed, a solemn expression on his face as he held a bowl of porridge. The moment he saw my eyes open, he leaned closer.

I turned my head, avoiding his hand, but he continued to scoop a spoonful to my lips. "Chloe had a miscarriage. The doctor said it was due to the stress you caused yesterday, combined with her hard work for the company..."

Hearing his words, I slapped him across the face. He stared at me, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, which quickly darkened. "You can hit me or yell at me all you want, but Victoria, Chloe is so delicate. How could you unleash your nasty, overbearing side on her?"

"Get out."

I gritted my teeth, hating him.

Not exposing his kidnapping me immediately was a huge act of grace, yet he dared to blame me? He had no idea what he was doing.

As Derek was about to say something more, my phone suddenly rang.

He saw that it was my father calling and instinctively snatched the phone.

"What are you complaining to Dad about now?"

I sneered but didn't stop him.

Just as the call was about to connect, Derek's phone in his pocket rang, and Chloe's sweet voice came through.

"Mr. Johnson, why aren't you back yet? My stomach hurts so much..."

Derek patiently soothed the person on the phone, then turned to me, his face full of reproach. "I'll explain everything to Dad. You're the one who was being stubborn and spiteful first, so don't think you can play the victim."

With that, he hurriedly left the hospital room.

I rolled my eyes and answered my father's call.

"My dear daughter, I've looked into everything. However, I'm still going to proceed with the press conference for the equity transfer."

I was confused and about to ask my father why, when he sent me a video.

After watching the video, I immediately understood my father's intention and nodded in agreement.

As soon as I hung up with Dad, Chloe sent me provocative photos.

One picture showed Derek intimately washing Chloe's feet.