FROM THE ROCK BOTTOM TO THE HIGH SOCIETY

erie stopped at the entrance taking a

fore meeting the gaze of a ma

me," She

nce of the darkened room. "So, this is how low they've st

" she whispered, her voice cracking. Tears blurred her vision. "I

ached. "Yes. You don't seem like someone

ford regret-not when her mother's life was on the line. Yet something about him didn't fit the i

on her loosening. Valerie slipped from his grasp, h

ght. Exhausted and drenched, she banged on the massive doors. "Let

toss a framed photo at her feet. Rain splashed

atter anymore," a cold voice sai

he collapsed into the mud, clutching the frame. "No... Mother!" she screamed, h

ce raw. "You promised to save h

ed, she collapsed, her body giving out

she found herself back in the prison infirmary. She was

ready?" one in

ugh to keep them happ

tle Valerie. Got bailed out just to come crawli

ab her, a sharp voice inte

ped forward, glaring at the

, her voice fl

itted," the offic

nked, stunn

ng as freedom sank in. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "Mot

n a sharp suit stepped out, his tone

e door, revealing a shadowed figure in

"You're mine now, Valerie," he said with

und herself lo

at Valerie. "You hear

attered clothes. "This isn't funny," s

sharp. "Didn't you plan

in, forcing her to meet his cold, piercing stare. His features were striking-sh

self-his tailored suit screamed wealth and power, while she looked like

o you think I'd marry a stranger, eve

to provoke me?" He leaned back, signal

d for the door handle, desperate to esca

t. His voice was icy. "If you step out of th

rie's eyes. "I do

to the driver,

lancing at Valerie. "Young

noticing her disheveled state. "To t

stared in disbelief at the grandeur before her. This was nothing like t

halls. "Prepare a bath and clean clothes fo

raced with thoughts of escape. Once inside, the maids

mured, "Are tho

lerie pulled away. "I'll bat

ing skeptical glances. "You'

e interrupted. "I

"She acts like she's better than us

ctor appeared. His icy glare silence

me. She thought about how her life had spiraled out of control, how

er. "Still filthy," Victor's v

cover herself, her voice trembling with ang

arried. In three months, I'll divorce you and send yo

him, leaving her shaking

been for him to marry Valerie, her cellmate. It was a dying request he couldn't refuse, but

e his thoughts. "Youn

sharply. "What

the bathroom window,"

ed as his eyes narro