Chapter 2

"One billion dollars!" Mr. Harrison Adams’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly collapsed.

Amber’s face went white too.

The Adams family’s total assets, combined, barely amounted to two or three hundred million. A billion dollars? That would drive them to ruin!

Mr. Harrison Adams dropped to his knees with a thud, facing Damian Thorne. "Mr. Thorne, please have mercy! This rebellious girl is solely to blame. Punish her, but leave the Adams family out of this!"

I watched his pathetic display with cold disdain, feeling nothing but disgust.

This was my father, ready to throw me under the bus without a second thought for his own gain.

My mother started wailing. "Mr. Thorne, we’ll send her back to her room immediately. Tonight, she’s yours! Please, spare us!"

Watching my family’s ugly charade, my stomach churned.

I turned to Damian Thorne. "This was my decision, and I’ll bear the consequences alone. Let my parents go. Let the Adams family go."

Damian Thorne raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. "You’ll take responsibility? With what? A billion dollars? Do you even have that kind of money?"

"I will repay it," I said, my voice firm and unwavering.

A wave of scoffing spread through the room.

An illegitimate daughter, discarded by her family, how could she possibly repay a billion? It was pure fantasy.

Amber’s taunt was particularly sharp. "Skylar, stop spouting nonsense! How will you pay it back? With your worthless life?"

I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Damian Thorne.

"Give me three years."

Damian Thorne looked deeply into my eyes, and then, surprisingly, he smiled.

"Alright, I’ll give you three years."

He waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to step aside.

"From today onward, you, Skylar Adams, owe me, Damian Thorne, one billion dollars. Interest will be calculated at the highest bank rate."

He paused, then added, "Don’t even think about running. You know what I’m capable of."

With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair and left the chapel without looking back.

My parents lay sprawled on the floor, their eyes fixed on me, looks that could have devoured me whole.

"You wretch! You absolute wretch! You’ve ruined the Adams family!"

I didn’t spare them another glance. Clutching the hem of my priceless wedding dress, I walked out of that cage-like chapel.

The sunlight was blinding, but I felt a freedom I’d never known.

[Ding! Host has successfully escaped the toxic family environment! Reward: one luxury apartment, Life Points +5.]

Standing on the street in a wedding dress, I felt like a living, breathing joke.

Passersby stared and pointed, but I didn’t care.

My phone vibrated. A bank alert: $1,000,000 deposited.

I smiled. Having money felt good.

Immediately after, another message came in from an unknown number.

[Bellagio Heights, Unit A-3201. Passcode: your birthday. -Liam Stone]

It was Damian Thorne’s assistant.

I was surprised. He actually gave me an apartment.

Was he trying to keep an eye on me, afraid I’d run?

Whatever. A place to live was better than being homeless.

I hailed a cab and gave the address.

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, looking like he wanted to say something but held back.

When we arrived at Bellagio Heights, I realized it was a renowned upscale neighborhood, with extremely strict security.

My wedding dress made me far too conspicuous, and a security guard stopped me.

I gave him the apartment number and my name. After checking, he respectfully waved me through.

I swiped the card for Unit 3201 and was stunned by what I saw.

Huge floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist modern decor, top-brand furniture and appliances.

The walk-in closet even had a selection of seasonal designer clothes, shoes, and bags, still with their tags on.

The refrigerator was stocked with fresh produce and imported fruits.

On the table sat a black card and a new phone.

A bold, flowing signature on the card read: [Stay put. -Thorne]

This didn’t look like something prepared for someone owing a billion dollars. It was more like a gilded cage.

What exactly did Damian Thorne want?

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

First things first, a shower, a change of clothes, and a good meal.