Betrayed, But Not Defeated novel Chapter 1

"Daniel! You bastard, where the hell are you? Get over here and scrub my back!" Jennifer Walsh's disdainful voice rang out in the luxurious bathtub.

Next to her sat her best friend, Charlene Geller.

The two soaked comfortably in a temperature-controlled bath, their long, fair legs kicking up and splashing water.

They weren't just best friends—they were famously known as the "Twin Beauties of Qranross". Both were recently honored as two of the Top Ten Outstanding Female Entrepreneurs in Qranross.

Hearing Jennifer's loud call, Charlene quickly nudged her. "Jennifer, are you crazy? I'm still here! How can you call your husband to scrub your back with me around?"

Jennifer waved her hand dismissively. "Husband? He's nothing but a fool to me. He's just an obedient dog in my eyes. What's the big deal if a dog happens to see you?"

At that moment, the bathroom door opened.

Dressed in tattered clothes, Daniel Ashcroft entered with a mop in hand and a goofy grin on his face. He had just been cleaning the bathroom, and the sour smell on him mixed unpleasantly with the humidity in the air. His wet feet left dirty footprints behind as he stepped onto the bathroom floor.

Upon seeing his shabby appearance, Jennifer narrowed her eyes in annoyance. She abruptly stood up, grabbed a whip from beside her, and lashed out at him.

Four lashes landed in quick succession.

Blood instantly seeped from the cuts on his face and back while his already ragged clothes were reduced to hanging strips of fabric.

"You bastard! Don't you know how to remove your shoes before entering the bathroom? I've been feeding you for three years, and you still don't understand basic rules!"

Three more lashes followed, and Daniel's foolishly handsome face was now marked with fresh wounds.

Satisfied after venting her frustration, Jennifer relaxed and leaned forward against an inflatable cushion by the bathtub. "Come here. Scrub my back and give me a massage."

Still smiling dumbly, he obediently approached and massaged her back with utmost care. Despite facing two stunning, barely dressed women, his expression remained utterly blank.

Charlene laughed and remarked, "Jennifer, you didn't marry a husband—you brought home a slave."

Jennifer reveled in the massage, a smug look on her face. "I only married him three years ago to get my hands on his family's wealth. Initially, my grandfather wanted to get rid of him once he was no longer useful—dump him in the desert and let him fend for himself.

"But then, I realized keeping him around as a dog was much more amusing!" She laughed before adding, "Whenever I'm in a bad mood, whipping him a few times or making him lick my feet instantly lifts my spirits."

Charlene sighed. "I envy you. You have a massive fortune now and a personal punching bag to vent your frustrations on. I, on the other hand, am drowning in stress. My grandfather is gravely ill, my business is in crisis, and I have no one to take it out on."

Jennifer chuckled mischievously. "How about I lend Daniel to you for a few days? Torture him anyhow you like. It doesn't matter even if you kill him."

"Really?" Charlene's eyes gleamed with wicked excitement.

Not long after, she left Jennifer's house, dragging Daniel and the whip along with her back to her villa in Stellar Heights.

Charlene sat on the couch inside the luxurious living room, crossing one leg over the other. She pointed at Daniel and commanded, "Kneel and massage my legs."

He did as he was told, gently patting and pressing her legs.

She raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Your technique is quite refined. Jennifer has trained you well. To think that you were once the heir of the wealthiest family in Qranross and a famous playboy admired by many… Who would have thought you would end up reduced to a slave and treated like a dog?"

He remained silent, his hands carefully massaging her legs.

Feeling an unfamiliar sensation, she frowned slightly.

Thinking she was dissatisfied, he anxiously increased the pressure of his massage.

"Ah!" Charlene gasped. A sudden tingle ran through her body, stirring a strange warmth.

Blushing with embarrassment and anger, she swiftly lifted her leg and kicked him hard in the stomach. "Bastard, where did you learn such lecherous techniques? Go squat over there!"