Chapter 2

The car windows were tightly shut as Daniel Clementson's figure lingered outside.

Sophia Lowell's heart pounded violently when her phone rang incessantly.

Ethan Roscente's iron grip immobilized her, and the sound of her phone clattering onto the pavement outside was unmistakable.

Footsteps drew closer...

"Let me go!" Sophia struggled desperately, her voice barely above a whisper.

Instead of releasing her, the man rolled the window down slightly, his scorching breath grazing her ear. "Still trying to run?"

"You're insane..." Her voice trembled.

"Seems like you haven't learned your lesson."

The window lowered another inch.

Daniel's footsteps halted beside the car. "Sophia? Are you nearby?"

Biting her lip hard, Sophia turned tear-filled eyes toward Ethan.

His cold expression remained unreadable.

"I won't cut ties..." she conceded silently.

Ethan chuckled darkly before suddenly seizing the back of her head and crushing his lips against hers.

The moment Daniel turned away, the window shot back up.

"You're despicable..." Sophia shook with fury.

"Despicable?" He smirked, tracing her collarbone. "This is just the beginning."

Regret flooded her—too late for second thoughts now.

......

Afterward, Ethan leisurely adjusted his cufflinks.

Sophia curled up on the seat, her skin marred with telltale marks.

Lighting a cigarette, he studied her through the haze. "Cut that blind date off for good."

A black card landed on her lap.

"Pathetic," he sneered. "This wouldn't even cover my gas."

Her entire savings—dismissed with contempt.

The car door slammed shut, leaving Sophia collapsing onto the pavement.

Her phone rang again—Emily Laurent's scolding erupted instantly. "How dare you stand up the Clementsons?"

"We're incompatible." She ended the call wearily.

At home, a new contact request flashed on her screen.

The attached document—The Clementson Code—made her blood run cold.

"Wives must rise at 4 AM..."

"Monthly allowance capped at $70..."

Sophia stared at her phone, speechless.

Had this family time-traveled from the Victorian era?