Clueless in Life, Ruthless in the Book

I was always a bit slow, my mind only grasping half of what people said.

When my grandmother cursed, Id rather raise a pig than you, the next day, I brought her a big, fat pig. That night, the pig gored her.

My father called me a debt collectors nightmare. I promptly dug out his hidden loan shark ledgers and went door-to-door, helping him collect debts. The debts remained uncollected, but my father ended up attracting the attention of the police and was promptly hauled off to jail.

My mother, furious, smashed a bowl and pointed a shaking finger at me. You ungrateful wretch, why dont you just take my life too! I nodded earnestly, then served her rat poison. That was the end of her.

When I opened my eyes again, I had transmigrated into a dark romance novel, a plaything controlled by dangerous men.

The male lead summoned me to his office and tossed a hotel room key card onto the desk. Spend tonight with some important clients for me. This deal must close.

I obediently took the card, and that night, I got him roaring drunk, then sent him off to the room himself to entertain the clients

When the two dark-suited bodyguards escorted me to Adrian Dannys private estate, he was already dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. I stood in the opulent great hall, still wearing my usual vacant, slightly bewildered expression.

I spoke softly, Adrian, was last night successful? I was very obedient. I made sure to deliver your sincerity, just as you instructed.

Shut up!

Adrian hurled a crystal ashtray at my feet. It shattered, fragments scattering across the polished floor. He strode toward me in a few quick steps, grabbing my jaw in a grip so tight I thought my bones would splinter.

Skye Reynolds, are you playing games with me? His gaze was as venomous as a vipers. Who gave you the audacity?

I winced in pain, my eyes wide with innocent confusion. Adrian, I wasnt playing games. You told me to make sure the clients were satisfied. They thought I wasnt enough, that you needed to be there yourself to show sincerity. I saw the thunderous look on his face and belatedly realized Id made another mistake.

Mistakes called for apologies. I immediately lowered my head. Im sorry, Adrian. I was wrong. I didnt realize you couldnt personally entertain them. Even though the clients were very satisfied, I wont do it again!

Adrian looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. He stepped forward and clamped his hand around my throat. Shut up! If you mention that again, I swear Ill kill you!

I quietly closed my mouth. His grip tightened, stealing my breath.

Suddenly, he flung me away, gasping for air. He walked to the window, his back to me, his voice dark and low. Fine. Very good, Skye Reynolds. Since youre so obedient, I suppose I should reward you, shouldnt I?

He roughly dragged me toward the basement, deep within the mansion. The original Skyes memories flashed through my mind. Many terrible things were hidden down there. He slammed the door shut and retrieved a leather whip, studded with barbed hooks, from the wall.

Today, Im going to teach you what obedience truly means.

He raised the whip, bringing it down viciously toward my shoulder. He expected me to collapse, to grovel on the floor and beg for mercy, as Skye always did.

But the moment the whip descended, a surge of pure terror made me instinctively lunge sideways. My movement snagged a heavy decorative stand, ripping its power cord from the wall. The stand swayed precariously, and a massive brass statue on its top toppled, plummeting directly toward Adrian.

A sickening thud and Adrians piercing scream erupted simultaneously. The brass statue, with unerring precision, landed squarely on his already battered body from last nights client entertainment.

He instantly curled into a fetal position, his face ashen, writhing on the floor in agony.

The bodyguards, hearing the commotion, burst in, eyes wide with shock. They hastily carried Adrian out, calling for his private doctor.

Hours later, a pale, furious Adrian lay on his bed, his eyes so dark they could curdle milk. When he saw me, a rare, chilling smile touched his lips.

Ive found you a new place. You always loved acting, didnt you? Sterling Productions rising star, Harry Hayes, is looking for a new personal assistant. Hes quite good at training people, especially at discovering raw talent like yours. He reached out and patted my shoulder. I remember you always used to pester him. Now, Ive given you my blessing.

Harry Hayes Fragments of the original Skyes memories flickered in my mind. He was a celebrity, all charming smiles and dazzling charisma to the public. In private, he was a monster who reveled in tormenting and humiliating women. In the original story, Skye had a past with him. At first, she thought it was a rekindling of childhood friendship, but over time, his true nature emerged. Skye was driven to the brink of insanity, leaving her with profound psychological scars.

Adrian walked to his desk and picked up a note with an address, tossing it at me as if I were a beggar. Tonight, eight oclock, go to this address and find Mr. Hayes. Tell him I, Adrian Danny, sent you as a gift. Tell him to take good care of you. He emphasized the word care with a sinister weight.

I bent down and picked up the note, blinking up at him. Thank you, Adrian. Youre so kind to me. I carefully folded the note and tucked it into my pocket. Dont worry, Ill learn from Mr. Hayes and serve him well. I wont let you down!

Adrian watched my innocent display, his eyes cold and lifeless. He waved his hand, dismissing me like a fly. Go on, then, my dear fiance. Your Harry was just mentioning you not long ago.

At the mansion gates, I rang the bell. The door opened. Harry Hayes stood there, a perfectly calibrated warm smile on his face, his eyes full of an almost drowning tenderness.

Skye, youre here, he said, his voice intimately natural. Come in, its cold out. He stepped aside, a picture of solicitousness.

I looked up. Harry, Adrian sent me to help.

His smile was gentle. Yes, I truly need a trustworthy assistant these days. Adrian has given me a wonderful gift. He led me into the living room. Its been too long since weve had a proper chat, Skye. Do you remember when we were children? You always followed me around like a shadow. From now on, Ill take care of you, alright?

I cradled the glass of water hed given me, nodding obediently. Yes, Ill do whatever you say.

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Harrys eyes. Such a good girl. He smiled contentedly, sitting down beside me, close enough for me to smell his clean, crisp scent.

He was about to say something more when the electronic lock on the apartment door chimed. Someone was entering.

A man in a flashy pink shirt sauntered in, humming a tune. It was Danny Thorne, the notorious playboy from the Thorne family. In the original story, he and Harry were two peas in a pod, close friends who shared a love for debauchery. He and Adrian, however, utterly despised each other.

Harry, I heard Adrian sent his precious fiance here for you to train? Dannys eyes, full of amused curiosity, landed on me the moment he walked in. He assessed me like a new toy, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. Well done, brother. Quick moves.

Harry didnt seem surprised by Dannys appearance. He merely smiled, a hint of boastfulness in his voice. Youre well-informed. Skye is a bit shy, dont scare her.

Danny plopped onto the sofa, crossing his legs, his gaze shifting between me and Harry, his tone light and suggestive. Adrians cast-off idiot? Could be interesting, couldnt it?

Harry frowned. Danny, tone it down. Skye isnt like those other women.

Danny scoffed. Whats the difference? Theyre all women. Besides, between us brothers, whats mine is yours, right? He winked suggestively. Good things are better shared, wouldnt you agree?

Harry didnt contradict him, silently assenting. He turned to me, his voice soothing. Dont be scared, Skye. Danny is just joking. He just wants to be friends. He took my hand, and Danny, grinning, crowded in, sandwiching me between them. Come on, Skye. Let me show you the surprise I prepared.

I was led into the bedroom. Harry picked up a black lace nightgown, barely more than a few scraps of fabric. Skye, put this on and let me see.

I looked at the garment in his hand and shook my head vigorously, my face a mask of earnestness. Oh no, Harry. I cant.

Why not? Arent you always a good girl who listens to me?

Because there are other people here.

Harry chuckled, his smile suggestive. Its fine. A good girl should be open and honest.

Open and honest I murmured, as if convinced by the phrase. I took the nightgown and blinked. Then, I pulled out my phone and tapped open a live-stream app.

Open and honest. That surely meant everyone should see, right?

In the bedroom, the live-stream camera was pointed directly at the nightgown. I held my phone, watching the furious scroll of comments on the screen, my face alight with pure, unadulterated joy.

Harry, Danny, I said, my voice clear and tinged with excitement, look! So many people! They all want to see the surprise Harry prepared for me. Does this count as being open and honest?

The moment the live-stream appeared, Harry and Danny froze. Their faces were blank, clearly overwhelmed by what Id done. Harry could clearly see the words scumbag, call the police, and other furious comments flashing across the screen, along with the terrifying surge in viewer numbers.

Turn it off! Turn it off now! Harry was the first to react, his voice a hoarse roar as he lunged for my phone. Danny, his face chalk-white, instinctively tried to shield his face, cursing incoherently, Skye Reynolds, are you insane?

Their menacing expressions and shouts startled me. My hand trembled, and the phone clattered to the floor.

[What happened? Black screen?]

[Sounds like a fight?]

[I hear Harry yelling!]

I didnt mean to, Harry, please dont be angry My voice was choked with sobs as I bent down to pick up the phone.

But Harry stomped on it viciously. The screen shattered instantly. His chest heaved, his eyes bloodshot, glaring at me as if he wanted to devour me whole. The live stream was cut, but the damage was done.

Almost the second the screen went black, Harry and Dannys phones began to vibrate like death rattles. The names flashing on their screens were their agents, company executives, and even close brand partners.

Harry answered his call. His agents panicked roar blasted through the receiver, audible even without speakerphone. Harry, what in Gods name are you doing? What was that live stream? Do you have any idea youre finished? Get back here and fix this now!

Dannys situation was equally dire. His father probably wished he could stuff him back into his mothers womb.

The bedroom fell into a deathly silence.

After a long moment, Harry abruptly lifted his head, his gaze fixed on me. Harry knows you didnt mean to, Skye.

I sniffled, looking up at him timidly.

He continued, his voice laced with practiced persuasion. But Skye, because of that live stream, a lot of people outside have misunderstood Harry and Danny. They think we hurt you, and they want to send us to jail. So Skye, now youre the only one who can help us.

Danny chimed in, equally eager. Yes, Skye, you have to be a good girl and listen, or well abandon you.

I nodded vigorously. Ill be a good girl!

A flash of triumph flickered in Harrys eyes. He began to instruct me, word for word. Its simple. Tomorrow, well hold a press conference. Then, youll step forward and tell everyone, all the cameras He paused for emphasis. Youll say that everything tonight C coming to my house, and the live stream C was all your idea. That you wanted attention, that you deliberately planned it. Harry and Danny were just tricked by you, and were innocent. Remember?

I nodded hard.

So, under the blinding flash of cameras and the barrage of microphones, I repeated his instructions, word for word.

But when Harry and Danny heard my confession, their faces twisted in horror. Damn it, what are you saying?!