"You can't?"
In the dim hotel room.
Cora Lowell quietly watched the man who suddenly stopped in front of her.
She slowly glanced down to ensure he wasn't really in trouble before speaking leisurely.
"Want to watch a video first to learn? Which style do you prefer?"
Landon Lockwood's brow furrowed, the veins at his temple subtly pulsed, sweat sliding down his neck, burning like a fire.
"What, you're experienced?"
Cora Lowell tilted her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips, "Not too bad. Are you in or not? If not, I'm leaving."
The room wasn't lit, and in the darkness, she had already stepped barefoot onto the floor, bent down to pick up the scattered clothes.
Her long hair draped over her shoulders, her waist astonishingly slim.
Landon Lockwood's breath hitched, he yanked her back into his arms, pressing her onto his lap.
"Where do you think you're going? Trying to escape now, too late!"
After the fourth time ended, he stared at her unbelievably beautiful face, "Tell me, what's your name?"
Cora Lowell licked her lips, "Focus, the name's not important."
The next day.
Landon Lockwood stared at the empty bed, his expression gradually turning cold.
"Where's she?"
Ethan Nash pushed the door open, carrying clothes in his hand, looking bewildered, "Who?"
Landon Lockwood's gaze darkened, "The woman you arranged last night."
Ethan Nash was stunned, his face instantly turning pale, "Last night... everyone was joking about finding you a local beauty, but it was just talk, who would actually dare do such a thing..."
The room suddenly became silent.
Landon Lockwood's gaze fell on the corner of the sheet marked red, a cold smile tugged at his lips.
Interesting.
Having been tricked in the same matter, twice.
"Search all of Quillan, drag her out."
...
Lowell Family.
"You're finished! Mom and Dad know you stayed with a man in a hotel room!"
As Cora Lowell stepped through the door, Lana Lowell rushed up, pointing at her nose and shouting.
"Oh." Cora Lowell chuckled, her eyes disdainful.
"You're laughing? Are you out of your mind!"
Lana Lowell was furious, hopping mad.
Every time she saw that expression, she couldn't help but want to go insane.
Clearly, she was the real eldest daughter of the Lowell Family, Cora Lowell was just a counterfeit, already disfavored, how does she dare be this arrogant!
Cora Lowell sighed, "Sister, you're really foolish."
"Who are you calling foolish? Watch your mouth!"
Lana Lowell roared.
She grabbed the vase on the table and threw it.
Cora Lowell sidestepped gently, the ornament smashed on the floor.
Landing just next to Tristan Lowell's foot as he entered.
The air froze instantly.
Tristan Lowell stood in place, twirling the Buddha Beads in his hand, his gaze terrifyingly cold.
"Did you return all the etiquette you learned back to the teacher? Double the lessons this week."
Lana Lowell's face changed several times.
"What about Cora Lowell? She didn't come back all night, disgracing the family, isn't that tarnishing our Lowell Family's reputation!"
Tristan Lowell turned to look at Cora Lowell, "You tell me, what happened exactly?"
Cora Lowell stood straight, her voice obedient, "I don't know either. Sister asked me to go to the banquet, so I went. She handed me the drink, so I drank. Later, I felt dizzy, unwell, and went to the hospital for a check-up, here's the report."
Tristan Lowell took the report, carefully flipping through a few pages.
Moments later, he suddenly raised a hand and slapped Lana Lowell across the face.
"Dad! The banquet went to by the distinguished ladies of Quillan! I also drank, why is it that only she had an incident, she definitely snuck out for fun!"
Lana Lowell was furious, tears streaming down.
Wasn't it supposed to be a lesson for Cora Lowell? How did she end up being scolded first!
Cora Lowell stood calmly aside.
She understood long ago, Tristan Lowell only cares about interests, not emotions.
The entire Lowell Family, including herself, were just pawns in his hand.
Tristan Lowell turned and left.
Halfway through, he halted abruptly and glanced back at her.
"Such thorough preparation must have taken a lot of thought, right?"
"Why didn't you return directly after the checkup?"
"There were some aftereffects, the doctor suggested I stay in the hospital for observation overnight."
Tristan Lowell squinted slightly, the Buddha Beads in his hand paused gently.
"Not a single flaw in this explanation, but you forgot, this hospital is run by the West Family."
"Cora Lowell, I will ask the West Family and find out the truth. You better not have lied to me. Otherwise..."
"Feel free."
Back in her room, the smile on her face vanished immediately.
She took out her phone, unlocking a hidden system with her eyes.
Julian West had sent a message ten minutes ago, "Ms. Lowell, are you alright?"
She flexed her stiff fingers and dialed his number.
"I'm fine, but he clearly didn't believe entirely."
The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.
"I anticipated this. That old man is paranoid. Before he knew you weren't his biological child, he treated you fairly well. Ever since that fool Lana Lowell was brought back, he's become increasingly neurotic. But don't worry, there won't be any issues from the hospital."
He paused, suggested, "How about I have my dad propose to the Lowell Family? We fake an engagement, maybe you can escape sooner."
Cora Lowell silently calculated the feasibility of this idea.
The result was impossible.
The West Family focused on medicine, having no business overlap with the Lowell Family, if Tristan Lowell hadn't gotten what he wanted, he wouldn't easily let her go.
"He cannot be allowed to know we know each other."
"So what now? You can't stay in that house forever, can you?"
Footsteps sounded outside the door; Cora Lowell swiftly lowered her head, restoring the phone to the main screen.
"Who were you talking to?"
The person entering was Tristan Lowell.
He scanned the room, his gaze landing on her phone.
Cora Lowell handed the phone over without hesitation, "Check if you want."
She wasted no time in speaking, "Dad."
Two cold words.
Tristan Lowell paused for a moment.
"Turn around."
Cora Lowell remained unmoved, her blood seeming to freeze instantly.
Bam!
She was suddenly held down and flipped over.
A whip struck heavily across her back.
"Why?"
Tristan Lowell sneered, "You should be glad I don't have proof yet. Cora Lowell, you've been raised by the Lowell Family since childhood, everything about you is under my control. Don't think about playing tricks."
After ten lashes, he regained his refined demeanor, tossing a bottle of medicine with a smile.
"Daughters can't be kept, I'll host a banquet in a few days, remember to behave well."
Cora Lowell endured the burning pain on her back, slowly spoke.
"Only worthless people use daughters as bargaining chips."
Before the words were finished, the whip fell a few more times, until the erect spine was completely bent, Tristan Lowell left satisfied.
As the door closed, Lana Lowell approached with an ice pack, gloating.
"I've asked around; it turns out that thing doesn't have an antidote! Even if you go to the hospital, it's useless. Last night, you definitely spent the night with a man!"
Cora Lowell looked up at her, suddenly laughed, "Really? Then your mom's not going to make it, did you know that?"
Those few lashes were far from enough to pacify Tristan Lowell.
He'd certainly find a scapegoat.
Lana Lowell turned pale, and sprinted towards the basement.
The next day.
The butler walked in carrying a Jade Flute, followed by several servants measuring for clothes.
"The banquet is in three days, this is the piece you will perform, the master instructed you to practice diligently."
Cora Lowell took the sheet music, immediately tore it in half.