I was Chloe White, the childhood friend who stood by Liam Xander’s side. I poured everything my family had into helping him climb the ladder. I stood by him when people mocked him as nothing more than the illegitimate son of the Xander family. I helped him secure his place in the family, then watched as he took over Xander Enterprises, becoming the most powerful man in Seabridge City. Everyone thought I’d bet on the right horse, that I’d chosen the man who’d make me Mrs. Xander. But then, at a gala celebrating his success, I overheard him say, almost casually: “The White family has no value left. Chloe White is nearly thirty—washed up and past her prime. How could someone like her ever be my wife?” “At best, I’d keep her as a mistress.” It hit me then—his excuses for not marrying me had never been about protecting me from his family’s enemies. It was simply because I wasn’t good enough. Liam Xander was about to reach the pinnacle of his career. The Xander family patriarch was on his deathbed, barely clinging to life. Round after round of security guards and caretakers came and went, and even the doctors Liam had hired from abroad at great expense could do nothing to save him. It was only a matter of time before Xander Enterprises fell into Liam’s hands. And it was at that critical moment that Liam asked me for a favor. He gripped my hands tightly, his gaze locking onto mine, his voice solemn: “Chloe, after everything we’ve been through, you’re the only person I trust with this.” He needed me to deliver a document overseas and insisted it had to be me—someone who wouldn’t draw attention from his vulture-like relatives. So, I boarded a plane alone, tasked with carrying out something only I could do for him. The trip was long and exhausting, spanning three months. By the time I returned, weary and disheveled, I didn’t find the joy of a warm welcome waiting for me. Instead, I saw Liam at a gala, toasting and celebrating. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his face glowing with satisfaction, a faint flush on his cheeks. Beside him stood a beautiful young woman clinging to his arm—her radiant smile and elegance made them look like the perfect power couple. I squinted to get a better look at her, and a chill ran down my spine. It was Luna James, the sole heir to the James family. The James Corporation was the only company in Seabridge City that could rival the Xanders. Luna, though only in her early twenties, had already proven herself a ruthless and cunning businesswoman. She was known for her friendly charm in public, but behind closed doors, she could destroy competitors without batting an eye. Her beauty, her power, her family’s prestige… It all made sense. Of course Liam would fall for her. She was exactly the kind of woman any ambitious man would choose. And me? I was just the daughter of a once-thriving soap company that was now on the brink of collapse. Luna James was a rising star with a bright future. I was a nearly-thirty-year-old woman from a family in decline, struggling to make ends meet. Only a fool would pick me. The sharp pop of champagne being opened snapped me out of my daze, followed by the cheers of the crowd. I watched as Liam turned to Luna with a smile, brushing a kiss against her cheek before they walked together to the center of the stage. Under the dazzling spotlight, Luna’s hand lifted, revealing a massive 16-carat diamond ring that sparkled so brightly it hurt to look at. That’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just a gala celebrating Liam’s takeover of the Xander family. It was also his engagement party with Luna James. He’d sent me away under the pretense of delivering an important document just to get me out of the picture. It was his way of cutting me loose without having to deal with me. I tilted my head and thought to myself: Was all of this really necessary? Did he really think I’d cling to him and refuse to let go? When he told me I’d be Mrs. Xander, it was when his family refused to acknowledge him, leaving him to scrape by as the illegitimate son. When he told me I couldn’t be Mrs. Xander, it was when he was on the verge of becoming the head of the family. In the end, I’d never had a choice. I’d always known that.
The way Liam Xander and I met was straight out of a cliché “damsel in distress” story. Liam’s mother had been a servant in the Xander household. One drunken night, the old patriarch forced himself on her, and Liam was the result of that violence. But since Liam’s mother was an orphan with no family to back her up, she endured relentless mistreatment throughout her pregnancy. The women of the Xander family, unwilling to let an illegitimate child threaten their inheritance, tried everything they could to get rid of the baby. In the end, Liam’s mother died giving birth to him, leaving him alone in a household that wanted nothing to do with him. Because his mother was disrespected, Liam was treated no better. The patriarch didn’t care about him, and those with grudges against the Xander family took out their frustrations on Liam. Even as a child, he was targeted. Despite bearing the Xander name, he was ostracized, forced to work part-time jobs to survive while enduring constant bullying and struggling to keep up with school. One evening, a group of thugs—mercenaries paid by the Xander family’s enemies—cornered Liam in a dark alleyway after his shift at a café. They carried iron rods and bats, blocking his escape. Liam knelt on the ground, his face and hair covered in flour, his cheap, threadbare shirt stained with the stench of rotten eggs. His long bangs fell over his eyes, masking his expression. Every payday, these thugs would show up to torment him, taking sadistic pleasure in his suffering. Liam had tried to fight back once, but it only earned him a beating so severe he was bedridden for weeks. Nearly starving to death in his tiny apartment, he’d learned to endure their abuse, hoping they’d leave quickly once they were satisfied. “Liam Xander, you bastard,” one of them sneered, waving a bat in his face. “A pathetic little illegitimate son working at a café? Playing piano for tips? Who the hell do you think you are? You’re nothing but a pretty face. Who in Seabridge City would even dare to sponsor you?” Another thug laughed cruelly. “You’re only good for licking the dirt off my boots. Oh, wait—it’s your birthday today, isn’t it? How about I grant you a birthday wish? Go ahead and lick my shoes, and I might let you off easy.” The group erupted into laughter, lighting candles and holding them over Liam’s head, letting the hot wax drip down toward him. Liam instinctively tried to dodge, but one of them grabbed his arms and forced his face down into the rough, dirty cobblestones. The melted wax and grime-covered boots pressed against the smooth lines of his face, smearing blood and dirt. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, mingling with the overwhelming stench of their cruelty. Their laughter grew louder, more twisted. They were ready to draw knives, aiming to scar the flawless face of the boy they held down. But suddenly, the sharp wail of police sirens broke through the night. I stood at the entrance of the alley, holding up my phone with a smirk, feigning nonchalance as I crossed my arms. “I got everything on video,” I said cheerfully. “The cops are on their way. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get out of here now. Otherwise…” I cracked my neck, my fingers flexing as I tilted my head. The leader of the group scowled at me. “Do you even know who sent us?” I scoffed. “I don’t care who you’re working for. Even the most powerful people have a reputation to protect. Bullying a high school kid? If this video goes viral, do you think the authorities won’t step in? ‘Campus bullying’—it’s a pretty hot topic these days. Wonder what the education board would say.” The thugs exchanged uneasy glances. The higher your status, the more you cared about your image. After a moment of hesitation, they spat out a few curses and ran off, yelling, “You’d better watch your back!” As soon as they were gone, I rushed over to Liam, extending a hand to help him up. My chest heaved as I caught my breath. “God, that was terrifying,” I muttered, clutching my chest. “Thank goodness that worked. I just transferred here, and this is what I walk into? Unbelievable.” I looked him over, still breathless. “You’re lucky, though. If I hadn’t stepped in, your pretty face would’ve been ruined. And that would’ve been a tragedy for humanity.” I tilted my head, studying his sharp jawline and high nose. His cheeks were flushed, and his long lashes cast shadows over his unreadable eyes. I gasped. “Seriously, if they’d scarred you, it would’ve been a crime against nature.” Liam gripped my wrist tightly, his voice quiet but tinged with gratitude. “Thanks,” he said. “But you’ve just made trouble for yourself.” I raised an eyebrow. Of course, I already knew what he meant. I was well aware of the enemies circling the Xander family, and I’d just put myself in their crosshairs by helping him. But I smiled, gripping his hand in return. “Don’t worry about it. I’m the kind of person who sees things through. You’re with me now.” I grinned mischievously. “If nothing else, I’m Chloe White. Say my name, and I promise you’ll never have to pay for soap in Seabridge City again.” Liam stared at me for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. Our eyes met. And that’s where the story began.
Because my parents moved our company’s operations to Seabridge City, I naturally ended up transferring to a school there. Before arriving, I did my homework. I was determined to help Liam Xander escape the hell he was living in. By sheer coincidence, we ended up not only at the same high school but also as desk mates. When we met again, he hesitated for a moment before pulling out a thick notebook filled with chemistry notes. “I think this might help you,” he said, his tone unsure. I was sitting there, staring hopelessly at my abysmal chemistry test score, so I was surprised. Taking the notebook, I flipped it open to find pages full of colorful annotations. From the periodic table to detailed explanations of formulas, it was all meticulously laid out—far more thorough than anything our teacher had ever covered. As I skimmed through the pages, his neat handwriting caught my eye, and an idea suddenly struck me. I looked up at him, excited. “Liam Xander, you should be my tutor!” I said, practically bouncing in my seat. “And stop working as a dishwasher at that dingy restaurant.” Liam froze for a moment before shaking his head. “No, that’s not why I gave you the notebook. I just… wanted to thank you.” “I know, I know,” I said, waving him off. “But my family runs a soap business, and if my chemistry grades don’t improve, my parents will cut off my allowance. Please, just think of it as a good deed, okay?” I clasped my hands together, looking up at him as if he were a god. Unable to argue with me, he finally gave in. And so, he became my public desk mate and my private tutor. Because of this arrangement, Liam no longer had to juggle working late nights and studying. He even managed to save some money. Once, I handed him an envelope stuffed with cash. “Professor Xander, I owe my chemistry turnaround to you. This is the reward my parents gave me—we’re splitting it,” I said with a grin. His face turned bright red, his ears flushing a soft pink. “Chloe White,” he said after a long pause, “let’s go to the same college.” Feigning ignorance, I teased him. “Why would you want to go to the same college as me?” He took a deep breath, then pulled a simple silver ring from his bag. “I know I’m not really in a position to say this right now, but… I don’t want to wait anymore,” he said, voice trembling ever so slightly. “I like you, Chloe White. Be my girlfriend. I promise I’ll give you a good life.” I recognized the ring. It was from the most expensive jewelry brand in Seabridge City. He must’ve spent most of his tutoring earnings on this. Liam’s heart was racing as he held the ring out, his breathing uneven. He didn’t even dare blink, afraid he’d miss my response. Tears welled up in my eyes. I reached out, nodded, and whispered, “Yes.”
An illegitimate child like Liam was invisible to most people—a convenient scapegoat for anyone who held grudges against the Xander family. But I was determined to help him reclaim his rightful place within the family. The biggest obstacles were the two acknowledged Xander heirs: Shawn and Lucas. Fortunately, both of them had their weaknesses. Shawn was a womanizer, and Lucas was a gambling addict. Liam and I devised a plan to deal with them. The blaring music in the nightclub was deafening, the heavy bass pounding in my chest. I wore a silver sequin dress so short it barely covered my thighs. My makeup was deliberately innocent, making me stand out among the other women at the bar. Shawn, with his beer belly and greasy hair, gave me an obvious once-over. After confirming with the manager that I was just a regular college student, he waved me over with a sleazy grin. Feigning shyness, I sat down beside him. The stench of alcohol and cigarettes hit me so hard I almost gagged, but I forced myself to smile. With a timid expression and a flattering tone, I raised my glass of tequila and said the most insincere words of my life. “Shawn, you’re the most handsome guy I’ve ever met. It’s my first time here, so I don’t know the rules. Let me drink to you first!” To put him at ease, I downed several glasses in one go. My head started spinning, but the plan was working. Just as Shawn leaned in to make a move, I pressed my hand against his and coaxed him into sharing a drink with me. The moment I saw him finish the spiked drink, I relaxed, exchanging a glance with one of Liam’s people across the room. They nodded slightly. Shawn threw an arm around my waist, pulling me toward the exit. His hand roamed indecently, his warm, sweaty palm sliding across my back. I wanted to push him away, but my limbs felt weak. Damn it, even the manager had drugged me. The stretch limousine we had prepared was waiting outside. According to the plan, I was supposed to escape at this point, leaving Shawn to meet his end in a staged car accident. But his bodyguards suddenly intervened, grabbing me and forcing me into the car with him. As I watched the headlights of the oncoming truck growing closer in the rearview mirror, I shut my eyes tightly. Damn it, Liam Xander. If you don’t save me, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.
The expected crash never came. Instead, Liam Xander burst onto the scene, revealing the assassins the White family had secretly arranged. Using the semi-truck, he forced Shawn’s car off the road, driving it into an abandoned, desolate area. A bloody fight broke out. Amid the chaos, Liam risked everything to find me, bound with duct tape and tossed into the trunk like discarded luggage. By the time he located me, tears and snot were smeared all over my face as I sobbed helplessly. He hurriedly untied me, his hands trembling. But before he could finish, a blade flashed in the darkness, slicing across his back. A deep, bloody gash opened instantly, and I screamed, shaking my head as I watched him stagger forward, blood dripping from his body. Despite the wound, Liam turned and fought back furiously, his every movement fueled by sheer willpower. When it was all over, bodies lay scattered around us—some dead, some severely injured. Shawn was on his knees, sobbing and begging for his life. “Please, don’t kill me! I’ll pay you anything you want!” he wailed, his voice cracking. My hair was a tangled mess, and I was still crying. I clung to Liam, pleading with him to get medical attention for his wound. But Liam simply shook his head. Instead, he pulled me into his arms, his voice chillingly calm as he whispered, “Which hand did he use to touch you?” I shook my head, refusing to answer. The priority wasn’t revenge—it was getting rid of the evidence. If anyone found out, Liam wouldn’t just be in trouble; the entire White family would go down with him. But Liam let out a low, bitter laugh, his eyes burning with fury. He gently touched the top of my head, his gaze shifting to Shawn, who was still kneeling and begging for his life. “You,” Liam said, his voice icy and venomous. “Trash like you dares to lay a hand on Chloe?” Before Shawn could respond, Liam moved swiftly. Gripping a curved blade, he stepped forward and, without hesitation, severed Shawn’s arms. Blood gushed from the wounds, soaking the ground as muffled screams escaped Shawn’s gagged mouth. Sweat poured down Shawn’s face as he writhed in agony, the sheer terror in his eyes silencing any further pleas for mercy. I watched in stunned horror as Liam, his face splattered with blood, methodically dismembered Shawn. The storm clouds above rumbled ominously, and the distant sound of thunder echoed through the air. When it was over, Liam’s men dragged Shawn’s remains into the wilderness, leaving them for the wild dogs to feast on. I stood frozen, unable to process what I had just witnessed. My mind was blank until Liam pulled me into his blood-soaked embrace, snapping me back to reality. “Shawn is dead,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What if the Xander family finds out? What then?” Panic gripped me as I clutched his arms, my thoughts spiraling out of control. “Liam, you need to leave. Go far away where no one can find you.” But my words didn’t faze him. Instead, his eyes gleamed with a chilling excitement, a cold and dangerous light. He tightened his hold on me, his voice low and steady. “Chloe, don’t be scared. I’m here.” “I knew it,” he murmured, his tone almost tender. “No matter what happens, you’ll always think of me first.”
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