From Aristocratic Glamour to Abject Despair: A Heiress's Ordeal

I was once the proudest socialite in Boston.

But the arrival of a fake heiress named Chelsey Wright ruined my reputation.

With just a word from her, Lorenzo Kirby broke my right leg without hesitation.

A once-glamorous socialite became a laughingstock, a cripple.

Later, he even conspired with my parents to send me to a so-called farm for "remolding".

I was forced to kneel on shards of glass, bleeding profusely, scavenging for scraps with pigs like an animal, was insulted by hooligans, and was beaten until there wasn't an inch of good skin left on my body...

After a year of torment, my heart was riddled with wounds, numb to any hope or expectation.

Yet they cried and asked me why I had become like this.

01

When Lorenzo drove his Mercedes to the village to pick me up, I was trembling uncontrollably, my head hung low.

He frowned with disgust. "Jennifer, do you really have to act like this? We just sent you to Chelsey's foster parents to do some work, and you become so dramatic. Anyone would think you were abused."

I used to be a pampered young lady, the brightest star in Boston's elite circle.

Ever since Lorenzo sent me to the village for Chelsey, I chopped wood, fed pigs, did laundry...

These were what he casually referred to as "doing some work", under the guise of "remolding".

But Chelsey's foster parents were nothing but devils in a guise of false kindness.

No matter how hard I worked, they would find any excuse to whip me until there wasn't a piece of good skin left on my body.

They laughed cruelly, "Little wretch, who told you to go against Chelsey? Watch how we teach you a lesson!"

They locked me in the pigsty, forcing me to scavenge for scraps like an animal.

They relished in my misery, watching me devour the food like a ravenous stray.

"Look at you, where's the young lady now? You look like a stray dog that hasn't eaten in years!"

They forced me to kneel on shards of glass, blood flowing freely.

Under Chelsey's orders, they even wanted to make me the target of the village men's abuse, for them to vent their desires.

Thought of those dark memories, even in the bright June sunshine, I felt a chill all over.

A coldness rose from my feet and spread to my heart.

I parted my lips slightly, but dared not utter a word.

Because Lorenzo wouldn't believe me.

Ever since Chelsey appeared, he had changed.

No matter what happened, he always stood by Chelsey.

Seeing my silence, he spoke coldly, "What scheme are you plotting now? Always scheming! Now you look so pitiful, anyone would think you went to acting school. You've certainly improved from before."

"But-" Lorenzo gripped my chin tightly, warning harshly, "I'm not falling for your tricks. Your hypocrisy makes me sick. Chelsey is too kind to do anything to you, but if I find out you dare to harm her again, you won't get off so easily!"

His grip was so strong, it felt like he would crush me.

Pain quickly spread across my face, but I couldn't care about the pain in my jaw. Instinctively, I knelt in the mud.

"Mr. Kirby, I'm sorry, I was wrong."

He had been taken aback by my swift apology, his usually calm eyes showing a hint of surprise.

I knew what surprised him.

Before being sent to the farm, I had been the proudest and most passionate rose of Boston.

Roses have thorns and don't bow easily.

In the past, I would have thrown a tantrum if treated like this.

But now, I seemed to have lost all pride, my eyes dull and timid.

A year of torment had stripped me of all my thorns, my dignity shattered.

But only by being as humble as a beaten dog could I barely survive.

Lorenzo was silent for a long time, his expression slightly softening as he looked at me.

But then he seemed to remember something, and kicked me in the knee, sending me sprawling in the mud.

"Can you stop pretending? Just like Chelsey said, you can't stay calm once you're back. Acting pitiful now, are you trying to make everyone think you've been wronged? Haven't you owed Chelsey enough? Why can't you just behave?" His tone was impatient.

His kick was not gentle, and my knee went numb.

I fell into the mud, my tattered clothes filthy, my hair matted with dirt.

Compared to the cold, handsome young man before me, I was on a completely different level.

But I couldn't care about that, because his anger was almost burning me.

In the village, anger was a precursor to severe punishment, worse than death.

I struggled to adjust my posture, banging my head on the ground in apology.

"Please forgive me, sir. Don't hold it against someone as lowly as me."

"Lowly? Jennifer, you really are lowly!" Lorenzo laughed in anger.

He glanced at my mud-covered body, his eyes devoid of warmth.

"Your heart and body are filthy."

He pointed towards the river not far away.

"Go wash yourself first, don't dirty my car. Or you can choose to stay here and be reformed some more."

I couldn't swim, and the river was fast-flowing, having claimed many lives. It was obviously dangerous.

But- staying here... thinking of those terrifying memories, I couldn't help but shiver.

I turned and without hesitation, plunged into the river.

02

The water engulfed my nose and mouth, bringing a stinging suffocation.

The winter stream was icy cold, making my teeth chatter.

Instinct for survival made me struggle, but Lorenzo's words lingered in my mind, and I frantically scrubbed my body with my hands.

Just as I was sinking, thinking I was about to meet my end, Lorenzo ordered someone to pull me out.

He glanced at my soaked body and pale face, chuckling, "Not bad, not bad, seems like you've really learned this time. Chelsey picked a good place."

Like witnessing a rebellious hound finally tamed, he was satisfied and allowed me into the car.

"Behave like this from now on, don't go against Chelsey, and your life will be easier. Otherwise... "

His eyes held a shadowy warning.

I shivered, quickly raising my hand to promise, "I won't, I'll listen to Miss Wright from now on! Someone as lowly as me isn't worthy of being compared to her."

Those dark, bloody memories surged uncontrollably.

Whips soaked in salt water left my body covered in welts.

Hard-earned healed wounds were repeatedly cut open with a knife.

Nails and glass shards embedded in my flesh...

Remembered those tortures worse than death, my soul trembled.

As long as I could survive, endure less punishment, it didn't matter if I lived like a humble dog.

Lorenzo was momentarily speechless, scrutinizing my earnest expression. After confirming I wasn't lying, he sarcastically remarked, "You've really learned to bend and stretch now. I almost don't recognize you."

But even I barely recognized myself.

For a whole year, I was in a daze, not even knowing why I was alive, like a walking corpse.

The atmosphere was awkwardly silent throughout the journey.

The former socialite of Boston could confidently discuss the latest fashion trends, top jewelry, or the rise and fall of a company's stock prices, shining brightly.

But now, the pearl was tarnished, the rose withered.

I had stayed in this village, a living nightmare, for a year, suffering physical and mental abuse.

News was scarce, and the only information I received was from Chelsey's foster parents, about how Lorenzo pampered Chelsey, how loving they were.

So, I didn't know what to say anymore, as if I had lost the ability to speak.

I no longer wanted to express myself, wishing to curl up and reduce my presence.

Moreover, countless near-death experiences taught me to keep my distance from Lorenzo.

He was Chelsey's man, someone a lowly person like me couldn't dream of.

And the high and mighty Lorenzo, accustomed to others initiating conversation, would never start one himself.

He kept a stern face, lips tightly pressed.

We had been like strangers, not disturbing each other, silent and speechless.

The car drove slowly for two hours, and I thought everything would be fine.

Until the car jolted, I instinctively grabbed the doll hanging from the seat in front of me to steady myself.

Lorenzo reacted as if I had touched a raw nerve, shouting at me, "Get out! Find your own way back to the mansion!"

Before I could process what was happening, I was unceremoniously thrown out of the car, tumbling onto the rough ground from that vehicle speeding down the highway.

My face and body scraped against the coarse surface, blood oozing from the abrasions.

I wiped it away indifferently, as if I couldn't feel the pain.

Compared to what I had endured in the village, this was nothing.

I knew why he was angry-because the doll was a gift from Chelsey.

Once, at a birthday party, I accidentally broke a ceramic cup Chelsey had given Lorenzo.

The girl had cried pitifully, "Jennifer, I know you don't like me. That's why you left me in the park all those years ago and went home alone. It's okay, I've forgiven you. But this cup, I spent so much time preparing it for Lorenzo. It really hurts me that you broke it."

"I didn't do it!" I protested.

Whether it was then or now, I had never done such a thing.

But Lorenzo didn't believe me. He slapped me hard, his expression filled with disgust as he kicked me to my knees on the shards of broken porcelain.

Blood stained my luxurious dress, yet he showed no pity, as if he were looking at something filthy.

He accused, "Jennifer, aren't you satisfied yet? Targeting Chelsey again and again, being so malicious-aren't you afraid of karma? Your heart is as venomous as a snake's! No matter how glamorous you appear on the outside, it can't hide your repulsive nature! If this happens again, I'll make sure Chelsey gets back at you twice as hard. Her kindness isn't a reason for you to bully her!"

Lorenzo, who had grown up with me and was my fiancé, stood unwaveringly by Chelsey's side, accusing and hurting me.

He was convinced I was jealous of Chelsey, who had just returned, and that I didn't want her to compete for our parents' affection and the family's resources, so I resorted to petty tricks.

From then on, he refused to let me touch anything Chelsey gave him.

He had forgotten that long ago he held my hand full of affection and said I was the most precious little rose in his barren land and the softest part of his heart. Also, he forgot he promised to do all to shield me from harm.

But since Chelsey's return, he had broken that promise.

03

The mansion was in the suburbs. I dragged my injured leg, walking for five hours.

By the time I arrived, it was dark, and my feet were bloodied, leaving a trail of blood behind me.

Laughter and cheerful voices came from inside, making me hesitate to knock.

In the year I had been gone, they hadn't cared at all, likely celebrating the rebellious young lady finally getting her comeuppance and being reformed.

Since Chelsey's arrival, the Wright family was no longer my home, and I had no place there.

But where else could I go?

After a mental struggle, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

A new maid answered, looking at my tattered, blood-stained appearance with disdain. "Where did this vagrant come from? Don't you know where you are?"

She pushed me forcefully, trying to drive me away.

As I stumbled to the ground, a sweet voice rang out.

"Aunt Taylor, how can you do that? This is my sister, once the most glamorous socialite in Boston!"

The girl's feigned innocence was laced with obvious mockery.

But I couldn't care about her taunts anymore. Hearing Chelsey's voice made me freeze on the spot.

Seeing her slowly approaching figure, I couldn't stop trembling.

Only I knew the vile and extreme soul hidden behind that angelic face.

Countless bloody scenes flashed in my mind, the pain still lingering.

Instinctively, I prostrated myself on the ground, kowtowing to Chelsey like a dog with no dignity.

"No, I'm not... I'm not a young lady. I'm worthless, I'm despicable... The Wright family has only one daughter, and that is Chelsey!"

After a year of torment, I had learned how to please her.

I spoke those shameful words fluently, humbling myself just to suffer a little less.

Because it hurt too much.

Chelsey looked down at me with a satisfied smile.

She seemed very pleased with the results of my transformation.

A once proud and vibrant rose, now wilted and broken by her own hands, had brought her immense satisfaction.

Just as she was about to say something, Lorenzo appeared.

Seeing the scene, he frowned tightly. "Jennifer, have you no self-respect left? You were sent away to learn a lesson, not to learn how to be a slave."

Self-respect? It was a familiar yet foreign term.

For the former Jennifer, it was worthwhile to endure hardships as it could maintain her pride.

But the fiery rose that was Jennifer had long died, perished in blood and torment.

The current Jennifer only wanted to survive, and self-respect was the most useless thing!

Chelsey immediately toned down her smugness when Lorenzo appeared, clinging to his arm.

She said softly, "Lorenzo, Jennifer has changed so much. She scared me just now."

"Sigh, " She feigned sorrow. "Jennifer has become like this, and I feel so guilty. Even though it was she who injured my hand before... perhaps it's also my fault. I shouldn't have sent her to the farm to endure hardships, even if I couldn't play the piano any longer."

Lorenzo snapped out of his emotions at Chelsey's words, gently comforting her. "Chelsey, don't say such silly things. You're the victim, the most innocent one. Jennifer should pay for what she's done. Sending her to the farm was already a merciful punishment."

He then glared at me harshly. "Jennifer, you've been spoiled rotten! You clearly did wrong, yet you refuse to admit it or repent. Now you're pretending to be the victim. How ridiculous! How shameless can you be? Chelsey's fingers were injured because of you, so severely that she can never play the piano again. Her dreams were shattered, and you feel no guilt at all?"

I had never harmed Chelsey. It had all been her own doing.

But unfortunately, no one believed me.

04

That day, Chelsey taunted me with a smile, "Jennifer, do you believe I can take everything from you? Whether it's Mom and Dad or Lorenzo, they're all mine."

The Wright family's heiress will only be me. Chelsey, You're just redundant." She declared.

Before I could react, the girl, with a determined malice, screamed and stabbed a knife into her own right hand.

Immediately, I faced my mother's scolding and my father's slap.

Lorenzo carefully cradled the injured Chelsey in his arms and mercilessly kicked me in the stomach, roaring with fury, "If anything happens to Chelsey, I will make you pay dearly!"

My parents looked at me as if I were an enemy, saying they had no such malicious daughter.

Later, Chelsey was diagnosed with a shattered finger, unable to play the piano skillfully again.

Through her tear-filled eyes, Lorenzo ordered someone to break my right leg, despite my desperate pleas for him not to.

This was about my ballet career, my dignity as a high-society lady.

I had always been proud, and the thought of hobbling around was more painful than death.

Yet, the man looked at me with extreme indifference, sneering, "I want to make your life miserable. Jennifer, you're so vicious that Chelsey can't play the piano. So it's only fair that you can never dance again! The famous beauty in this city has become a cripple. Isn't it painful? Why didn't you think about this when you hurt Chelsey?"

My parents stayed by Chelsey's side, showing her endless concern, while they watched my plight with cold detachment.

Even though I explained that I hadn't done such a malicious thing, crying and begging them to save me, my mother sighed helplessly, looking at me with disappointment. "Jennifer, I know you. You've always been competitive and stubborn. But why deny your mistakes? This time, I can't indulge you. You owe Chelsey too much. It's time to pay for your actions."

My father sternly added, "Jennifer, you've been spoiled all these years. We can't let you continue down this wrong path. The Wright family won't accept such a malicious child."

Thus, my right leg was forcibly broken, and even walking normally became a luxury.

Chelsey succeeded. Everyone stood by her side.

Yet, even so, she wouldn't let me go.

She often came to the hospital room to provoke me, making me gloomy and uncontrollably angry.

Then she would pretend to be concerned, smilingly suggesting sending me to her adoptive parents' farm, saying it would help improve my temper.

My parents and Lorenzo immediately agreed, even praising Chelsey for caring about me.

But only I noticed her gaze, cold as a snake, silently mouthing, "Jennifer, enjoy the life ahead. It will be unforgettable."

Ignoring the pain in my leg, I shouted not to go, but I was still resolutely sent to the farm.

As expected, what awaited me was a hellish life.

05

I limped into the house. My father glanced at me and said indifferently, "Chelsey is kind and magnanimous, forgiving your past misdeeds. I hope you can treat her well after this transformation."

Seeing me nod uncontrollably, he seemed to punch a pillow, his tone colder, "The farm conditions aren't as good as the Wright family, but as a girl, you should pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene. Learn more from your sister; looking like a beggar is off-putting."

Chelsey wore a high-end dress, her hair shiny and makeup exquisite, starkly contrasting my ragged, dirt-and-blood-stained appearance.

In the past, I would have been heartbroken, stubbornly questioning how my father could despise his daughter like this.

But now, I numbly nodded, "Alright, Mr. Wright."

My father widened his eyes in disbelief, "What did you just call me?"

My mother quickly smoothed things over, "Didn't you just hurt the child's feelings? Our Jennifer is such a proud child."

My father clicked his tongue, annoyed, "Can't even scold her once? Now she's learned to be sarcastic. Truly incorrigible. Unlike our obedient Chelsey, having Jennifer was like a constant burden."

I acted as if I couldn't hear his accusations, staring blankly at the floor.

Only when a servant, at my mother's signal, led me upstairs to bathe did the awkward tension break.

By the time I cleaned up, dinner was ready.

The table was filled with Chelsey's favorite spicy fried foods.

I couldn't handle spicy food before, and after the torment at Chelsey's adoptive parents' farm, my stomach was ruined.

The overwhelmingly spicy food was like torture to me.

Chelsey, the culprit, knew this but still smiled wickedly, placing a large spicy hot dog in my bowl.

Her gentle voice was like a sinister whisper, "Jennifer, you've lost so much weight. Eat more."

I hesitated, not picking up my chopsticks. The smell alone made my stomach churn, let alone the disaster eating it would cause.

Remembering the excruciating pain, I swallowed hard and mustered the courage to say, "I... I can't eat spicy food."

As soon as I spoke, my father slammed his chopsticks on the table, a fiery slap landing on my face.

"Jennifer, how long will you keep this up? Do you want to turn this family upside down? Your sister kindly served you food, and you embarrass her like this?" His chest heaved with anger.

Lorenzo's face darkened. "Jennifer, if you keep targeting Chelsey, you'll go back to the farm for more training!"

Though my mother said nothing, her eyes showed disapproval, silently blaming my "willfulness".

Even though I knew they'd all side with Chelsey, a bitter feeling still rose in my heart.

It was okay, I told myself. Jennifer, you were worthless. Even if you died, no one would care.

Under their urging gazes, I forced myself to swallow the spicy hot dog.

Each chew was a silent protest from my stomach and mouth.

As I swallowed, the spice hit my stomach like a knife, and I couldn't help but vomit a mouthful of blood.

In a daze, I heard Lorenzo's panicked shout, "Jennifer, what's wrong with you?"