At an exclusive charity auction packed with the city's elite, my intimate photos were the surprise lot. My childhood friend, Julian, wanting to amuse his date, egged his friends on to bid against me, driving the price sky-high. Desperate, I called my other childhood friend, Liam, for help. But during the intermission, I overheard their phone call. "Brilliant move, getting those photos while Lily was drunk. Now that we have leverage, let's see if she dares to bully Sarah again." "I didn't take them. I hired someone." It turned out that two months ago, when I was kidnapped and tortured for three days, it wasn't random. It was them, manufacturing blackmail material for Sarah's sake. "Anyway, it's just some photos. No big deal. When Lily calls you for help later, make sure you put on a good show. Don't blow it." I smiled bitterly, put my phone back in my purse, and returned to the auction hall. When the auctioneer asked if I wanted to continue bidding, I glanced at Julian. "I fold." I give up everything. I don't want anything anymore. Chapter 1 My words wiped the smirk off Julian's face. He never expected me to give up. "Lily, do you have no shame? You're just going to let strangers buy your nudes?" I looked at him, pain etching my features. "Weren't you the one who put them up for auction?" Julian choked on his words, then exploded in anger. "What are you talking about? You're the one who was loose and reckless, getting yourself photographed like that. How dare you blame me?" Sarah, clinging to his arm, chimed in indignantly. "Lily, Julian has been so good to you. How can you slander him?" Her teary-eyed act made Julian's heart melt. I couldn't stand their hypocrisy anymore. I turned and walked away. My phone buzzed incessantly in my bag. It was Liam. Liam, are you in such a hurry to join Julian in destroying me? Chapter 2 I answered the call outside the auction hall. "Lily, I heard everything. Why didn't you call me? I would have helped you." Liam didn't know what just happened. He was still playing his part. I spoke coldly. "How?" Liam, immersed in his role, missed my tone. "I'll get the photos back for you, don't worry." "But, you know, Julian and I owe Sarah's mother a life debt. We just want to repay her kindness." I knew. They always talked about how, when they were kidnapped as kids, Sarah's mother died saving them. Since then, they treated Sarah like royalty. Whenever it was a choice between me and Sarah, I had to be the one to yield. They always talked about repaying the debt, over and over again. Leaving me no choice but to sacrifice. I had worked hard to earn a spot at a prestigious research institute, my ticket to a life away from them. But Sarah wanted it. She pressured them to make me give up the only spot available this year. When I refused, they used this tactic. Maybe I really shouldn't stay by their side anymore. Liam was still talking. "Just give that institute spot to her. With me around, you can have whatever else you want." I touched the necklace my mother gave me before she died. I remembered her telling me not to blame Julian and Liam. She said she didn't regret taking a bullet for them because she knew they would take care of me forever. I fought back the tremble in my voice. "Okay. I promise." Liam hung up quickly, excited. I wiped away my tears. I sent a text. "Professor Moore, I'll take the field assignment. I'll leave with you on Saturday." Chapter 3 I was packing my room when Julian and Sarah came back. Seeing me packing, Julian sneered. "I thought you actually had a backbone and were leaving. Turns out you're thick-skinned enough to turn down the job just to leech off us." He thought I was unpacking. Sarah laughed, hugging Julian's arm. "Oh, Julian, don't be mean. Lily has just loved you since childhood. She wants to be near you." Julian looked disgusted. "Being loved by a desperate stray dog isn't exactly something to brag about." I didn't understand why Julian was being so cruel. "How did I offend you?" Julian paused. He didn't understand either. It was the plan he and Liam agreed on. But the fact that I called Liam for help instead of him really pissed him off. "Am I wrong? You lived off my family since you were a kid. Now you want to leave just to sleep around?" He got more agitated, kicking over a box at the foot of my bed. Contents spilled everywhere. Plushies, trinkets—all gifts from him and Liam. "Tch, I thought you were actually tough. Leaving but still trying to take this junk." He was focused on humiliating me. He didn't see the "Donation/Trash" label on the box. Sarah rolled her eyes at me, then cooed at Julian. "Liam already booked a table. Let's get changed and go, don't make him wait." Julian patted her head affectionately. Sarah blushed, then turned to me. "Lily, don't misunderstand. They're just celebrating my new job at the institute. There's nothing else going on." Julian glanced at me. Seeing no reaction, he got impatient. "Why waste breath on her? A jobless loser. She'll be begging us for money soon enough." They left without another word. Chapter 4 The next day, while finalizing paperwork, I ran into a future colleague, Mark. Seeing my documents, he was surprised. "I thought you wouldn't go. I'm glad you accepted." The field assignment was grueling. I had hesitated before because I couldn't let go of my childhood bonds. But now, I had to be responsible for myself. I went to the institute to discuss some details with Professor Moore. At the gate, I ran into them. Liam looked surprised to see me. "Lily, didn't you promise not to come here?" I didn't want trouble. "Professor Moore was good to me. I wanted to apologize in person." But Sarah wouldn't let it go. "The institute only takes one person this year. Not just any cat or dog can get in. I already met with Professor Moore." She waved the acceptance packet in her hand. Mark couldn't stand her attitude. "The institute looks at character as well as ability." Sarah blushed instantly. Liam looked unhappy. "Lily, when did you meet someone like this? Make him apologize to Sarah." I spoke expressionlessly. "This is Mark, a senior researcher and one of the project leads." Hearing this, Sarah immediately put on a smile. "So it's Senior Mark. Hello, I'm Sarah. I'll be your junior colleague soon." Mark ignored her and led me away. Sarah stomped her foot in anger. Liam watched my back thoughtfully. He slowly took out his phone. "The plan stands. But make it fast. I want those photos all over the internet in half an hour."
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