Chapter 1 Awakening

It was a rainy night. The sound of the raindrops tapping against the windows filled the room as they lay in bed together.

Two naked bodies entwined on the bed, moving in desperate harmony. The man's harsh groans and the woman's soft moans twisted together, dangerously enticing in the quiet of the deep night.

Between fragmented gasps of pleasure, Anna Rice clung to the man, her body pressed tightly against his, as if seeking to merge with him. Feeling her response, he let out a primal growl, large beads of sweat falling onto Anna's skin.

Time blurred, and eventually, the room fell silent.

In her hazy consciousness, Anna felt something cold slide onto her finger. A man's voice, controlled yet seductive, whispered in her ear, "Wait for me to marry you."

Tonight's erotic dream was particularly disturbing. Annoyed, Anna swung her palm toward the man's face.

A loud smack later, Anna opened her eyes to find her hand had landed on Dr. Jenkins' bald head.

The director of Eden Valley rubbed his shiny scalp, clearly upset but not daring to show it. "Ms. Rice, it's time for you to go home."

Anna froze momentarily, then remembered the Rice family had sent someone to retrieve her today.

By the time she sluggishly got out of bed, she discovered her meager belongings had already been neatly packed. Under Dr. Jenkins' loving gaze, Anna walked through the main doors of the mental rehabilitation center.

'Oh my God, she has finally departed from here!' Dr. Jenkins was relieved and thought.

Behind her, Dr. Jenkins and numerous staff members embraced each other, weeping with joy.

Since Anna arrived three years ago, their lives had descended into pure hell.

Anna wasn't just sharp-minded but physically agile. Through a combination of persuasion and force, she quickly had the center's patients obediently following her every command.

Strangely enough, those patients—mentally unstable as they were—unanimously listened to Anna, even turning the tables and beginning to discipline the medical staff.

If staff didn't comply? No problem. A good beating would do.

Couldn't beat her? No problem. They'd organize ambushes.

It wasn't uncommon for doctors to find themselves blindfolded and pummeled, or for nurses to cover their eyes as they were struck.

After years of battles of wit and strength, the result was a complete submission of the medical staff.

Who would believe that a mental rehabilitation center's entire medical team could be controlled by a group of mental patients?

Yet this happened to them, in reality. Thankfully, the nightmare was finally over.

"Boss!"

A single call echoed, followed by a chorus of "Boss!" from across the facility, the chaotic voices resembling frogs after rain.

With the calls came heads popping out from tree branches and windows, frantically waving at Anna.

"Boss, make sure you come back to us!"

Echoes of "Come back, come back!" followed.

Dr. Jenkins and the gathered staff's faces instantly darkened.

Anna casually waved her hand behind her. "Everyone, go back inside!"

In seconds, the figures in the trees and windows vanished. The center became eerily silent, as though completely deserted.

Dr. Jenkins' face grew even more grim. He hissed through clenched teeth. "Watch carefully. Once she's gone, lock the gates immediately!"

Just as Anna stepped beyond the gates, she heard the decisive sound of the door closing behind her, followed by the click of locks engaging.

She frowned, about to turn back when she noticed a sports car parked on the road.

Lucy Fox, with her flaming red hair, leaned casually against the vehicle.

Seeing Anna emerge, Lucy's eyes brightened. She bounded over, her vibrant red hair swinging wildly.

"Anna! You're finally out!" Lucy exclaimed dramatically.

Anna's previously expressionless face softened into a slight smile as she witnessed her friend's theatrical expression. "What are you doing here?"

Lucy threw up her hands, swaying her head. "To pick you up, of course!"

"Let's go!"

"Wait."

Lucy produced a brand-new dress from the car, proudly announcing, "AG's latest spring collection. I paid a small fortune to get my hands on this."

Anna glanced at it briefly. "Global limited edition, only two pieces made. Good taste."

Without another word, she slipped into the passenger seat, leaving Lucy momentarily confused. "You know this brand?"

Anna didn't answer, simply pointing ahead. "The Rice family must be waiting for my return."

At this mention, Lucy's interest piqued.

"Right! Buckle up!"

With one press of the pedal, the car roared to life and shot forward.

During the drive, Lucy chatted non-stop. "The information you asked me to gather on William Sterling, I've got it. Unfortunately, the man's quite mysterious—there wasn't much useful intel."

She handed Anna a tablet. "Everything's on here. Take a look."

The information was indeed scarce. The only useful detail: [William's legs were crippled, and he could no longer walk.]

Anna muttered to herself, "No wonder such a 'good match' fell into my lap. He's a cripple."

Lucy nodded vigorously. "Exactly. You're still going through with marrying him?"

Anna remained silent, her hand unconsciously moving to her flat abdomen.

Three years ago, shortly after her father brought her back from the countryside, she was drugged and ended up having a one-night stand with an unknown man. She became pregnant as a result.

After giving birth, under her stepmother's manipulation, her father committed her to the mental rehabilitation center owned by Rice Group. She had been there for three years.

Throughout those years, she continuously investigated both the truth behind being drugged and her child's whereabouts. Each time, she was told her baby was stillborn.

But she remembered clearly; before losing consciousness after delivery, she had heard her infant crying.

She firmly believed her child was alive, just missing.

Just a few days ago, she discovered that the doctor who had delivered her baby had once appeared at the Sterling residence.

She touched the bracelet on her wrist—the only heirloom from her mother. Yes, she would marry into the Sterling family, but before that, she needed to return to the Rice family to collect some interest for both her mother and herself.

At the Rice family mansion, Megan Rice paced anxiously around her room.

"Mom, do you think she'll agree to the marriage? If she refuses, will Dad force me to marry him instead?"

Megan grew increasingly panicked, covering her head and wailing. "I don't want to marry a cripple!"

"What are you carrying on about?" Penelope Howard soothed quietly. "Don't worry, I have plenty of ways to make her obediently marry into the Sterling family in your place."

Megan looked up pitifully. "Really?"

Penelope nodded. "When have I ever lied to you? Don't forget how Anna ended up in that mental facility in the first place."

Yes, thanks to Penelope's foresight in making preparations, they had managed to deal with Anna while she was still finding her footing after returning home.

Otherwise, they'd have another person competing for the family's assets.

Remembering this, Megan relaxed. "Thank you, Mom."

"What are you so happy about? Please share with the rest of us."

A voice sounded from behind them. Penelope turned to find Anna standing in the living room, seemingly appearing from nowhere.

Penelope's heart skipped a beat, but she composed herself, frowning. "No manners whatsoever. You couldn't have the servants announce your arrival?"

"A homewrecker like you, expecting me to have servants announce my presence? Do you really think you deserve that?" Anna raised an eyebrow as she spoke.