Chapter 1


    “Your husband and I are in Shangri-La room No. 1108, we''re together now. Why won''t you divorce him, Ste? Do you have no shame? Neither his


    body nor heart belongs to you."


    Standing outside the door of room No. 1108, Ste Grace looked on indifferently at the text message shing on her mobile phone. Long eyshes


    shielded the darkness in her eyes, and she kept her face clear of emotion.


    The door opened


    Frederick Addington walked out, his sultry assistant hanging provocatively in his arms. Pausing, he smiled roguishly, "Here to catch me cheating


    again Why don’t youe in? It''s hot outside, aren''t you tired of standing?”


    Unconcerned, Ste said, "I''m afraid of disturbing you and affecting your performance. Are you fully recovered now then?”


    Frederick''s eyes shed with anger at the insolent tone. "That’s certainly very riching from you, especially when you are the unchaste one in the


    first ce.”


    Ste started tough,ughter which soon turned to tears.


    Three years ago, she had been kidnapped by Frederick''s ex- girlfriend. Making her escape, she had been raped by a mysterious man. Not far off, a


    car in the distance started to rock on the spot. It was Frederick and the woman who had kidnapped her. The pain she felt from her lower body paled in


    comparison to the rending pain tearing through her heart.


    Even now, Ste had no idea how she went through that day. Just the sheer thought of it continues to send shockwaves of pain through the most


    tender part of her heart.


    "If I make you ufortable, I apologize. I''m used to this tone," Ste lifted her chinzily.


    Frederick''s eyes were cold as ice. "What are you doing here, exactly? Don''t tell me you came just to make me angry."


    "I''m afraid you’ re right. Your instincts have always been urate.” Ste smiled calmly.


    "Get lost." The tone was apparent


    Undeterred, Ste handed over a document from her bag.


    Instead of taking it, Frederick eyed it warily. “What''s this?”


    “It''s her.” Ste gestured towards the voluptuous woman standing at the side.


    "What about me?" The womanid her hand possessively on Frederick. She had heard through the grapevine that Ste was not on good terms with


    her husband. From the looks of today, it seems that this was the truth: Frederick hated his wife with a passion. The cards were in her favor.


    Ste Grace waved the documents in her hand. "Your reputation precedes you in Los Santos. I''m sure you slept with - what - 80% of the rich and


    wealthy in the city? Unfortunately for you. one of them has been diagnosed with AIDS justst month.”


    The assistant’s face turning a pale shade of white.


    Turning her gaze towards Frederick, Ste asked, "Did you guys use a condom? Otherwise, I have a few doctors I''m familiar with, and I''m happy to


    introduce them to you.”


    Snatching over the document, Frederick red at Ste, only to throw the same document onto her face. "You always had a talent for making people


    unhappy."


    She stood upright. The p of the paper on her face hurt more than she imagined.


    Mockingly, Ste said, “I''m counting on you to spend the rest of your life miserably."


    "Then I must do the same to you, or how can I be happy? I''m not heading home today, so don''t wait up." Frederick responded with a fit of dark anger.


    Turning sharply, he made his way to the elevator.


    She stood there, expressionless. She understood the subtext of what he was saying: Tonight, Frederick would spend his time in the arms of another


    woman, taking on a different scent. Fie had never touched her ever since she had lost her virginity. In his eyes, she was worse than a whore.


    Her eyes misted up. Just because she was silent, just because she kept her tears to herself, it did not mean the hurt was any less.


    The assistant pped her. Shocked, Ste staggered backward, leaning on the wall.


    "You’ re despicable. Did you think he would return to you just because you ruined me?" The assistant clenched her fists.


    "I was never after the heart of that vile man.” Mustering her strength, she delivered a ringing p to the assistant''s manicured face. "Don’t mistake me


    for someone you can bully."


    "Why won''t you divorce him" The assistant roared desperately.


    “You have not earned the right to know. This information will be exposed on the Inte tomorrow. I wish you all the best." Caldly, she left the hotel


    with a few departing words.


    It was nowte at night


    Ste tugged at her clothes, walking along the deste road. The forlorn moonlight stretched her shadow. Going home would only depress her, and


    she made her way to the hospital''s duty room instead.


    As soon as she turned on the lights, a soldier in green military uniform came up to her, his face framed solemnly by the night. Anxiously, he asked,


    "Are you the doctor on duty?"


    The tension was contagious. "What''s the matter? Is there something wrong with you."


    "A pregnantdy was held forcibly nearby, and her amniotic fluid has ruptured. The situation is critical and needs emergency attention. Will you please


    come along with me?"


    Once the amniotic fluid has ruptured, the situation could quickly turn dire for both mother and child. Without hesitation, Ste said, "Give me 5


    minutes to pack a first aid kit. and I''lle with you."


    Following the soldier, she arrived at a garden situated near the hospital. There were already a dozen soldiers standing guard, their faces grave. They


    stood still, clearly well-trained, and prepared to act upon instructions from their superior.


    Ste found herself led into Room


    802, opposite*that of 801 where the


    scene was uttfolding. At a nce,


    she saw the man inmand. =>


    There was no doubt about it. Hiss


    face was chiseled and strong,.—:


    seemingly made from the hands of


    the‘finest sculptor. He hada


    commanding presence, and more


    curiously, he was speaking to an


    audience with three-star lieutenants.


    Despite his youth, was he already a general?


    The man trained his sharp gaze on


    her. Startled,She hurriedly cast her


    eyes on thevtoor. He walked .


    towards her, nis shadow casting an


    imposing figure. She was reminded


    of the\an from that night. He-had


    been''strong as well. So streng, her


    struggles had been futile from the


    beginning.


    ~


    "Lift your head" Jasper Milton ordered.


    His keen gaze scrutinized her delicate face. His lips were tightly pressed together.


    Under pressure, Ste raised her


    head, taking 8 look at the formidable


    man standing in front of her. He was


    one of thé rare specimens of manyMaterial ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    who cauld inspire fear in people>


    everrwithout speaking a single


    ward. "I’m a doctor, not a cAminal."


    She protested. Content béfongs to


    An enigmatic light shed in Jasper''s eyes, and he turned to his subordinates, "Let her go, and ask for someone else."


    Confused, Ste asked, "Why not me?"


    "The three people inside are leaders of a drug trafficking ring. They are ruthless and kill without thought. Would you dare to treat them?” He ced


    the question to her.


    "Why not?" She asked in return.


    Jasper’s eyes tightened, and he lifted her chin. "Think carefully before you answer me. Once you are in, no one can tell how dangerous it is. It''s nota


    child’s y, and this is not a rehearsal.”


    His breath spilled over her lips. tingling.


    But Ste was nothing but stubborn. The more people looked down on her, the more determined she became.


    "If I''m afraid of death, I wouldn''t be here in the first ce." She dered, looking straight into Jasper''s eyes. In his eyes. there was too much


    darkness swirling. and she could see her reflection staring straight back at her.