Chapter 3 Alexander stood there. His suit sharply was pressed, and eyes was cold and imposing. An unseen pressure radiated from him. Her fingers trembled as she quickly said to Gerald, "You should go now." Gerald didn't pick up on anything unusual and continued, "Once the paperwork comes through, you-" "Please leave!" Her voice tightened, pleading as she looked at him. He paused, then nodded. "Alright. Be careful." Only after his car disappeared did she dare turn, climbing the steps one by one. Alexander remained, watching her with an unreadable darkness in his gaze. She shivered, her own frantic heartbeat pounding in her ears. Would he be furious? Would he break someone's wrist again, like when others had touched her before? But instead, his voice came, detached and cool: "We have guests. Go make a cup of coffee." He turned and walked away, footsteps fading. Sophia stood frozen, finally lifting her head after a long moment. He... showed no reaction. It seemed true-he'd really lost his memory. Relief washed over her as she headed to the kitchen. But when she carried the coffee into the living room, an extra person sat there. She recognized her instantly: Emily, the woman from the news engaged to Alexander. Robert, Mary, and Olivia now surrounded Emily, all smiles as they discussed wedding plans. Alexander sat apart, silent and listening. Sophia kept her head down, offering the coffee softly. "Your coffee, Miss Davis." 0.0 % 10:52 Emily glanced up, a rai suma pi She reached for the cup-then "accidentally" tipped it. Scalding coffee splashed across Emily's clothes. Before Sophia could react, Olivia's palm cracked across her face! "You did that on purpose, didn't you?!" Sophia's lips parted, a broken defense forming- "It wasn't me..." But Olivia cut her off shrilly, whirling toward Alexander: "Alexander! I've been meaning to tell you-this maid has impure intentions toward you!" She jabbed a finger at Sophia with a look of disgust. "She hoards your things! she's clearly up to no good! Now she's jealous you're engaged to Emily, so she's been driven mad by jealousy and deliberately scalded her!" Chill crept over Sophia at the blatant lie. "I didn't..." Her voice shook, but Emily spoke over her, turning tear-bright eyes to Alexander. "Alexander," she murmured, delicate and wounded, "Given your status, there will be many people trying to curry fa- vor with you. If she isn't punished sternly... others might follow her example." Robert and Mary chimed in instantly: "Exactly! She must be severely punished!" Sophia froze. Suddenly, she understood- it was all a show. A trap they'd set together. And Alexander despised those who chased after him. Sure enough, his icy command came the next second: "Take her away and lash out at her." Without another word, he swept Emily into his arms and headed upstairs. "I'll call the private doctor." Sophia didn't even get a chance to defend herself before two bodyguards seized her arms and dragged her out roughly. Outside the villa, the night hung heavy and dark. Olivia gripped the barbed cane, her face alight with unconcealed excitement and malice. "Sophia, I finally have you in my grasp.." 35.7 % 10:52 ་བ་་ས་་་ She raised the cane and brought it down viciously! Thwack! The first lash split skin and flesh. "Take this for stealing my identity!" Thwack! The second strike turned flesh into a bloody pulp. "This is for seducing my brother!" Thwack! "And this for your utter ingratitude!" "Ha! Why aren't you screaming now? My brother won't save you this time!" Sophia bit her lip hard, refusing to cry out. But the cane's barbs hooked into her flesh, each blow threatening to tear her apart. Blood dripped from her back, her arms, her legs... each drop hitting the ground like a hammer. Ninety-nine lashes. Olivia poured years of pent-up rage into every strike, growing more brutal until Sophia's consciousness faded. Only Olivia's shrill curses and the sickening thud of cane meeting flesh remained. When the final blow landed, Sophia collapsed into the pool of blood. 78.6% 10:52 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!