Chapter 3 Nora fell ill with a high fever after being caught in the rain . It lasted three full days . The moment she recovered , Chase dragged her to a banquet at the Thai Imperial Hotel in Bellwood . At the entrance , she saw Camila , wearing the exact designer gown Nora had begged Chase for- countless times - but never once received . Their eyes met , the air sparking with unspoken hostility . " Mr. Whitmore , Mrs. Whitmore , " the concierge said politely , " per the hotel's cultural policy , male guests may only enter with their legal spouse . If you wish to bring a mistress , she must kneel and bow at the door . " Camila pouted and threw herself into Chase's arms . " Chase ! I'm not kneeling for anyone ! And I don't want to be your mistress either , hmph ! " Nora couldn't hold back . "Too late to worry about that now , isn't it ? " Camila's eyes welled up with tears in an instant . " Chase ... " Chase hesitated - just for a moment - then turned to the concierge and said flatly , "Camila Rae is my wife . " Nora froze where she stood , staring at him in disbelief . " Chase ... " " Just go along with it , " he murmured , barely moving his lips . " Camila's young . Sensitive . She couldn't possibly kneel in front of everyone . " And Nora could ? Seeing the color drain from her face , Chase made an effort to coax her . Chapter 3 16.88 % " You've always wanted that Peninsula Manor house , haven't you ? I'll buy it for you - tonight . All you have to do is enter - as my mistress . " The guests nearby began whispering , their voices thick with mockery . " Wasn't Mr. Whitmore's wife the heiress of the Langston family? When did that change ? " " Right ? The Whitmore Group only survived that crisis back then because he married into the Langstons . And now he's turning his back on her - for a mistress ? " "Tsk , honestly ? That little canary looks more like the real wife . That Langston girl's just pathetic . " Nora's face went pale . She had never felt this humiliated . Nora drew in a steady breath - and pulled out their marriage certificate . Camila was forced to kneel . She stayed on the floor the entire meal , waiting on Chase and Nora . Her doll - like face crumpled in misery , tears trembling at the edge but refusing to fall - enough to make anyone's heart ache . Nora remained expressionless . But Chase was visibly distressed . Gritting his teeth , he hissed , " Nora , are you satisfied now ? To publicly shame Camila like this ?? " Nora bit her lip . " The marriage certificate - was signed willingly . I never forced you . I'll use it whenever I see fit . " Halfway through the meal , Chase kicked the table over and stormed out , carrying Camila in his arms . The looks that followed Nora - pity , mockery , disdain - were enough to drown her . Her face turned pale again . She lost all appetite and quickly left . Chapter 3 16.88 % The moment she stepped outside the hotel , her world went black . म When she came to , she was tied up in an underground parking garage . Her knees were tied down to the cold concrete , forcing her into a humiliating kneel . A group of masked men circled her , snapping photos from every angle . Nora panicked . " What the hell are you doing ?! Let me go ! I'm Chase Whitmore's legal wife ! If he finds out - he'll never let you get away with this ! " But the men only sneered . A moment later , her phone lit up . It was Chase . " Do you admit fault now ? " Nora froze . " ... What? " His voice on the line was cold and emotionless . " I told you . As my contractual wife , you were supposed to behave . You embarrassed Camila in public today . So now , I'll punish you - tenfold . " " She knelt for ten minutes . You'll kneel here for ten hours . On concrete . Alone . " Nora felt like her heart had plunged into an icy ravine . Her chest tightened . She held back tears and tried to speak - but was cut off by a saccharine voice on the other end . " Chase , ten hours is a bit much , isn't it ? I only knelt for ten minutes and my knees were already bruised ... ' ) ) " What ? You're bruised ? " His tone changed instantly . " Let me see ... That bitch - she deserves worse . Break her kneecaps . Do it now . " Chapter 3 16.88 % The next moment , Nora heard the sound of kissing - followed by the tear of a condom wrapper . Then came the pain - white - hot and blinding , shooting straight through her legs . A sharp , blinding pain surged through her legs ; Her kneecaps had been shattered .