1 When I was fifteen, I got lost exploring the wilderness and almost met a terrible end, only to be saved by three rough-looking men. Their faces, strikingly similar to the one that haunted my dreams – a seven-tenths resemblance to my moonlit memory – captivated me instantly. My father, at my insistence, brought them back to the Thorne estate as my personal kept men. But over the years, their arrogance grew with my indulgence. They even secretly pledged their lives to Brittany Miller, our housekeeper's daughter, right under my nose. "Hold on, Brit, just you wait. Once that old man kicks the bucket, the entire Thorne Corporation will be ours. Scarlett Thorne is crazy about me, we’ll just sell her off to some shady establishment where she'd make a good sum, if she didn't mind the clientele." Later, at the auction gala, one of them, Ryder, asked me what the mysterious item for today's auction was. I didn’t answer. The three of them were about to scold me when suddenly, they were leashed, thrown into a dog kennel, and locked up. I smiled. "The auction item? Isn't it right here?" 2 Watching the two of them exchange affectionate glances, I scoffed and turned away. I went upstairs and found my father. "Dad, I'm tired of these three." The old man, hunched over his desk, poring over documents, paused and looked up, puzzled. "Tired of them? I thought you were quite fond of Ryder? Why the sudden change of heart?" I curved my lips. "What do you do, Dad, when a pet bites its owner?" My father understood. He waved a dismissive hand. "Get rid of them." Ryder was the name my father gave him, though he never liked it, insisting on calling himself Ryder. Because of his face, so similar to the one in my memories, I never forced him. As I descended the stairs, I saw Ryder, who had just parted ways with Brittany Miller, the housekeeper's daughter. "Ryder, what were you just doing?" Ryder, who was about to brush past me, froze, then frowned, a mix of unease and irritation on his face. After all, I always used to call him 'Ryder, my love.' "What's it to you?" I didn't care about his attitude; after all, I was the one who encouraged him to mimic his cold, detached tone. A cheap imitation, truly. "I saw Brittany Miller with you, just now." Ryder stiffened, then his face hardened. "Scarlett Thorne, are you having me followed?" The commotion attracted Zane and Knox. Seeing that I had mentioned their little innocent flower, they immediately glared at me with ill intent. "Scarlett Thorne, who we spend our time with is our business. What right do you have to question it?" "Besides, we saved your life back then. You owe us, big time." The three of them shielded Brittany, who had appeared at the sound of the argument, behind them. They made me feel like some kind of monster from a horror movie. Watching their actions, I was utterly bewildered. "I never said you had to stay by my side. If you liked her, all you had to do was tell me. Did you really think I'd tear you apart?" I kept them around originally because I couldn't bear to part with Ryder's face, so similar to my memory. But I never forced anyone; I wouldn't tie them down to me. Yet these three, while greedily enjoying the wealth and status being by my side afforded them, were carrying on a secret affair with another woman right under my nose. Zane suddenly sneered, mocking, "Who doesn't know how ruthless Scarlett Thorne is? If we'd told you, there's no telling if you wouldn't have had us 'taken care of' without a second thought." I paused, then curved my lips. "That's a good idea." The three of them visibly flinched, exchanging uneasy glances. Ryder looked at Brittany behind him, startled and demure. He looked at my sudden change in demeanor, and a knot of irritation seemed to tighten in his chest, refusing to dissipate. Yet he still spoke stubbornly: "Alright, Scarlett, I know you love me. I promise, I won't leave you, okay? Don't say such things to upset me. This time, it's my fault. Don't make things difficult for anyone else." The other two looked at him with admiration. Watching the barely concealed smugness on Ryder's face, I felt sick. How could I have ever compared such a common, low-class man to him? But before I could say anything, I glanced down and noticed Brittany and Ryder's hands secretly clasped together. A cold glint flashed in my eyes. I could have let them go anytime, but that didn't mean they could betray me right under my nose. I turned to walk towards Brittany. To my surprise, as soon as I lifted my foot, the three men uniformly blocked my path. They watched me intently, then turned to the petite woman behind them. Ryder frowned. "Scarlett Thorne, that's enough. I told you I wouldn't leave you. Why do you have to be so hard on Brittany? She's just a young girl." I snapped back to reality, looking at the three men's wary expressions, finding it both amusing and heartbreaking. Had I not been good enough to them all these years? Clearly, pets are pets. They only learn through discipline. 3 When I was sixteen, Ryder, who had been with me for a year, still hadn’t quite grasped my temper. But he knew that whenever I was angry, if he just took my hand and pressed it to his face, my anger would subside. Later, he took it upon himself to fire our housekeeper of ten years and personally hired a new one, Mrs. Miller. And Brittany Miller, the daughter, moved in with her. He told me, "Scarlett, I think they’re quite pitiful. Why don't we let her stay too? The Thorne estate is so big, it won't hurt to have one extra room." At that time, I was utterly infatuated with that face. I never refused any request Ryder made. Later, during an evening gala, I noticed Brittany didn't even have a decent dress. I casually took a new one from my wardrobe and gave it to her. It was C-Class haute couture, worth hundreds of thousands. Brittany looked at me with immense gratitude, bowing repeatedly and thanking me. However, that evening, Ryder saw Brittany dressed elegantly and seemed to lose himself, just staring at her next to me. A timid girl always seemed to ignite a man's protective instincts. Suddenly, the shoulder strap of Brittany’s evening gown, as she stood front and center, unexpectedly snapped. Her slight figure was instantly exposed. Brittany, humiliated, cried and left. After the gala, I intended to go comfort her. After all, it was my dress I had given her. But the three men suddenly blocked my path, their expressions impatient. Ryder furiously demanded to know: "Scarlett Thorne, you're going too far! How could you deliberately give Brittany a faulty gown?" I was stunned, looking at Brittany, who was bowing her head behind them. I wanted her to explain that I had given her the dress brand new, the packaging box still unopened. But to my surprise, Brittany suddenly tugged on Ryder's sleeve, tears welling up and spilling down. "It's okay, Mr. Ryder, I believe Miss Scarlett didn't mean it. Perhaps it's because I've been spending too much time with you lately, making Miss Scarlett unhappy." As if that wasn't enough drama, she pushed past the three men and walked towards me. She slapped herself across the face, her delicate, pale cheek immediately turning red and swollen. Zane, seeing this, pulled Brittany back behind him. "Scarlett, don't be so excessive! Even if we are just your hired help, it doesn't mean you can trample on a young girl's dignity like this!" "Why are you so wicked?" Brittany, seeing this, tugged on Zane's sleeve. "It's okay, Mr. Zane, I'm fine." Seeing the beauty's distress, Ryder could no longer control himself. He looked at me and commanded in a low voice. "Scarlett, apologize to Brittany!" And at that time, I was naive and almost completely obedient to Ryder. Because I couldn't bear to see any expression of unhappiness on that face, I actually apologized to Brittany. In the years that followed, I apologized to Brittany, this woman living under my roof, at least ten times. Thinking back now, it's truly laughable. 4 Looking at Ryder's hostile expression, my patience had reached its limit. "Don't flatter yourself. As for Brittany Miller, do what you want with her." Hearing my suddenly cold tone, Ryder seemed startled and annoyed. Zane, on the other hand, asked Knox uncertainly, "Could she have found out we gave her 'The Seraphina'?" Even though Zane had lowered his voice, I could read lips. "The Seraphina? You gave The Seraphina to Brittany Miller without my permission?" The Seraphina was the last design manuscript my late mother, a designer, created. This year marked the tenth anniversary of her passing, and I had commissioned the world's top artisans to painstakingly craft it. It was meant to be a tribute to her on the anniversary of her death. That's why I had specifically given this task to Ryder six months ago, entrusting him to oversee it and ensure no issues arose. But I never imagined it would now be worn by Brittany Miller! Zane and Knox's faces froze, looking somewhat flustered. Ryder stepped forward, speaking bluntly. "Yes, I decided to give The Seraphina to Brittany. She had a school gala, and I wanted her to make a grand entrance." "You, Miss Scarlett, want for nothing. It's just a dress. Why are you being so petty?" Looking at his self-righteous demeanor, I found it revolting. A strange wave of disgust washed over me. How could this substitute wear that face and make such a repulsive expression? Seeing me staring at him, Ryder's eyes flickered, a hint of guilt there. But thinking of Brittany behind him, he straightened his back. "Brittany has lived in poverty her whole life. This school gala is very important to her. Do you have no sympathy at all? Do you really want her to be humiliated before you're satisfied?" My lip twitched, finding it absurd. But Ryder, seeing me not speak, thought he had made his point and became even more smug. "Alright, I told you to stop always targeting her. I will marry you, you know." The expression on his face, as if I should be eternally grateful, made me think this was his house, not mine. As if I were the pet, not them. Brittany, hearing this, looked at him with tears welling in her eyes. "Mr. Ryder, don't force yourself to marry Miss Scarlett just to help me. I know you don't love her. It's all my fault, please don't compromise yourself." I sighed, exasperated. "Ryder, when did I ever say I was going to marry you?" Ryder looked at me, confused. After all, these past few years, I had never interfered with their shenanigans. Especially with Ryder, I had been almost completely compliant. This had given them the false impression that I was deeply, madly in love with him. Then I rolled my eyes and turned to leave. Suddenly, Brittany rushed to my feet, and just like years ago, she started crying and slapping herself. "Miss Scarlett, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have worn your gown without permission, but Ryder is innocent. He just wanted to help me." "After all these years, you've ordered him around like a servant. Ryder is human too, he gets upset, so please don't blame him, I beg you." As she spoke, she used both hands, the sound of her slaps echoing through the villa. This Brittany Miller really was ruthless. In barely ten slaps, she managed to draw blood from her own face. Ryder, seeing this, finally reacted and quickly stopped her. He looked at her swollen, red face with pained sympathy, then turned to me, his gaze full of revulsion. "Scarlett Thorne! You're going too far! It's just a dress!" "I said I would marry you, and I will. How long are you going to keep throwing these childish tantrums?" Watching their synchronized act, I laughed, infuriated. "Are you deaf? I never said I was going to marry you!" But Ryder just sighed, looking at me as if I were a spoiled doll. "I know you can't live without me, that you love me to death, but you can't turn into a jealous woman." "Alright, as long as you don't bother Brittany, I'll forgive you." I looked at him coldly, wanting nothing more than to rip that skin off his face. He didn't deserve to wear that face while doing such disgusting things. But I smiled. Letting them go now would be far too easy. The thought of the grand event three days later filled me with excitement. 5 Three days later, at A-City's most mysterious auction house. Outside, it gleamed with gold, and inside, even the ordinary tables and chairs were made of solid gold. The four people with me looked around, utterly astonished by the sight. Brittany's eyes swept over the men in the hall, full of raw greed. Ryder's initial shock had turned into humiliation. After all, no man could stand looking foolish in front of the woman he loved. He could only turn to me, annoyed. "Why didn't you bring us to such a great place sooner?" I gave him a knowing look, curving my lips without a word. Brittany suddenly linked her arm with mine. "Miss Scarlett, I knew you wouldn't care about a mere dress. Otherwise, why would you invite me along?" At that moment, many people in the hall noticed my presence. They knew how much I had doted on Ryder over the years. They all, as before, complimented Ryder. "Mr. Ryder is as dashing as ever, handsome and capable. Truly a great asset to the Thorne family." "Indeed, he and Miss Thorne make such a perfect pair." I glanced sarcastically at Ryder, who was already lost in the shallow praises. I understood then. No wonder he had become so arrogant so quickly. He had been living this 'top of the food chain' lifestyle outside, using my name. When people live that way for too long, they forget they're just my pets. The manager led me to the center seat. Ryder sat beside me, and the other three sat in the row behind. The auction began. An elegant auctioneer walked onto the stage. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight's auction items are all sponsored by Miss Scarlett Thorne. And finally, there will be one mysterious item." With that, priceless, rare treasures were brought out one by one. "Oh my God, isn't that the 'Eden Rose' pink diamond! I remember it was worth over a hundred million! Truly Miss Thorne, her generosity knows no bounds." "Yes, and these earrings are called 'Oriental Sunrise.' Three years ago, they were already being hyped at an exorbitant price and bought by a mysterious buyer. I can't believe it was Miss Thorne!" Listening to the people around us, Brittany's eyes blazed with ravenous greed. "Scarlett Thorne, how can you be so lucky! Everything you own will someday be mine!" Beside me, Ryder gasped. Then he looked at me disapprovingly, reprimanding me. "Scarlett, you are far too extravagant. These things aren't worth this price. Why are you spending so recklessly?" I scoffed. This man probably thought the Thorne family fortune was already his. He had given himself the name Ryder, forgetting he was nothing more than a dog beside Scarlett Thorne. "What's 'worth it' is for me, Scarlett Thorne, to decide. By what right are you questioning me?" Ryder paused, looking at me as if I were a spoiled girlfriend throwing a tantrum. "I know, I will marry you. You don't need to keep reminding me of our relationship over and over again." "In the future, when you plan to spend such large sums, you need to tell me beforehand. You can only use the money if I approve." Then he turned his head away, no longer looking at me. Hearing this, I burst out laughing, unable to control my amusement. Lunatic. The auction proceeded smoothly. Ryder basked in the envious glances from those around him, his head held higher and higher. "Now, we come to our most exciting moment! The final mysterious item, to be unveiled by Miss Scarlett Thorne!" With that, she gestured, and black-suited men carried onto the stage a two-meter diameter object covered by a red cloth. Ryder leaned towards me. "What's the mysterious item?" I stood up, ignoring him. I smiled at the crowd, then walked forward, gripped the red cloth with one hand, and pulled it down firmly. An empty iron cage was revealed before everyone's eyes. The crowd looked at me, confused. I nodded to my discreet bodyguards.
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