1. Imogen's Torment

A soft pat on the back of her hand startled the young woman in her early twenties. Her daydream shattered instantly.

She looked at the figure of the middle-aged man lying weakly in bed.

“Is Brad treating you well, Imogen?” the man asked in a hoarse voice.

The young woman, Imogen, glanced at the man sitting next to her. The aura of the man was unpleasant, but Imogen only nodded weakly, forcing a smile.

“Brad is very kind, sir. I…” Imogen paused for a moment. “…I’m lucky to be married to him.”

The man next to Imogen only gave a cold glance, in contrast to the helpless man lying in bed.

For three months, Imogen Holmes had been enduring a household full of pressure and suffering. She should have refused George Dowe's request from the beginning, the father of the man sitting next to her; Brad.

In fact, the entire Dowe family rejected the arranged marriage. Imogen was just a maid working in the Dowe residence. Then suddenly, George asked Imogen to marry his son, Brad.

Whether George saw Imogen’s sincerity or was punishing Brad by dragging Imogen into the family drama, the ultimatum from George was clear three months ago: Brad must marry Imogen.

If Brad didn’t marry Imogen, the man would not receive any inheritance.

So, Imogen and Brad married out of necessity. There was no love in their marriage, not even a hint of attraction. It was all just to fulfill George’s wish.

“It’s good to hear that. You must live in harmony and respect each other,” advised George.

Imogen nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Rest, dad, so you can recover quickly,” Brad added.

George nodded, a relieved smile on his lips. Imogen and Brad quickly bid their farewells and left the room. As soon as Imogen closed the door, Brad roughly grabbed her arm.

Imogen was half-dragged into Brad’s room, and the man slammed the door shut forcefully. Brad’s face looked furious, making Imogen’s heart sink. She didn’t even dare to look at her husband’s face.

“Take off your clothes!” ordered Brad.

Imogen was stunned and took a small step back towards the door. Her lips were tightly shut.

“I’m angry right now, so don’t make me angrier! Serve me like a whore, Imogen!!”

It happened again; every time Brad felt stressed, angry, or desperate, Imogen became the target for all the negative energy and emotions Brad wanted to release. Serving Brad’s vile desires was one way.

However, Imogen couldn’t refuse. After all, they were legally married, solely for the inheritance Brad was after.

“Don’t just stand there! Hurry up!!” Brad demanded.

Deep down, Brad was actually captivated every time he looked at his wife.

Imogen had wavy, jet-black hair, a voluptuous and attractive figure with fair skin. She was very beautiful, with light brown eyes, a sharp nose, and small yet full lips.

Brad gained many benefits from marrying Imogen. The man was just waiting for the inheritance, for the company’s throne to fall into his hands. And he had a doll to play with named Imogen Holmes.

Every time she served Brad, Imogen could only hold herself together and steel her heart. Brad’s treatment was brutal and irrational. The most hurtful were the vile words Brad hurled at her.

Often, Imogen lamented her fate, wondering why she had to endure such misery. Even after marriage, Imogen was still treated as a servant.

Even worse!

Brad’s mother and two sisters treated Imogen like trash. The other servants in the house despised her out of envy and resentment.

Only George always consoled Imogen and made her endure. Imogen highly respected the kind-hearted George.

But for how long?

George’s health had deteriorated drastically over the last two months. The middle-aged man had a preexisting condition, but it was worsening over time.

Only Imogen was concerned about George’s health. Not his family, who seemed to be waiting for the super-rich man's death.

...

“You’re utterly useless at serving me! Worthless whore!” Brad shouted, pushing Imogen off the bed.

Imogen had done as Brad asked, but it was still wrong. It had been three months, and Brad’s treatment hadn’t changed at all.

“What did I ever do to you?” Imogen suddenly asked.

She didn’t know where the courage came from to say that, though her voice was trembling.

“Nothing, you just piss me off,” Brad replied nonchalantly. “Seeing you wandering around this house as my wife is nauseating.”

“Why don’t you just divorce me then!”

Brad shifted from the bed, his naked body approaching Imogen.

“You want a divorce from me?” Brad asked.

“What’s the point of us being married if it’s going to be like this. I can tell Mr. George that our relationship isn’t working out.”

“Then what did you say to my father earlier, huh?”

Imogen realized she had put on a show in front of George, pretending the marriage was fine. It was also because of Brad’s insistence that they had to appear ‘happy’.

“I can convince Mr. George,” Imogen replied.

Brad’s hand immediately yanked Imogen’s hair, pulling her backward. It made her stagger and nearly fall.

“If my father dies, I will divorce you! I’ll even kick you out of here!” Brad shouted.

“Please, it hurts! Please, stop!” Imogen pleaded with tears streaming down her face.

“Who do you think you are? Able to convince my father? Even by forcing me to marry you, he’s just a lunatic to me.” Brad’s breath was loud in her ear, one hand squeezing Imogen’s chest harshly.

“I’m sorry,” Imogen sobbed in fear.

“Don’t ever hope your status will rise after marrying me. You are nobody, and you’ll never be anybody in this world.”

Brad threw Imogen’s body to the floor, then walked away and entered the bathroom. Imogen gathered the scattered clothes and quickly put them on. She hurriedly tied her hair, straightening her clothes even though they were wrinkled. She rushed out of Brad’s room.

However, as Imogen opened the door, a woman was already standing there. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Where’s Brad?” she asked in a snide tone.

Imogen lowered her head. “In the bathroom.”

The woman immediately entered, not caring that she had bumped into Imogen’s shoulder. Then she knocked hard on the bathroom door urgently.

“Brad!! Brad!! He’s dead!! Dad passed away!”

Imogen, who heard it, was stunned.

George passed away?