Chapter 1
I, with dual PhDs from a prestigious university, once stood at the height of ambition and recognition. But now, I found myself bowing to Karen humbly, allowing her to pour a glass of red wine over my head.
The professors and classmates who once held high hopes for me now viewed me with disdain, calling me the pet of the rich, a puppet of the wealthy, a disgrace to men as a whole.
My friends, too, had drifted away, scorning me for being Karen's slave and believing I had lost my dignity and self-respect.
Relatives who had once cheered for my achievements now kept their distance, aware that I had become a servant to the city's elite.
Yet only I knew the immense cost of my mother's surgery, medication, and chemotherapy. It was this burden that led me to serve the Moore family for five years.
Every day, Karen would humiliate me, acting high and mighty as she said, "Andy, you're a spineless loser. You can't survive without me!"
In fact, I felt nothing but disgust for Karen. The slave contract had just one month left.
***
In the glitzy, opulent banquet hall filled with the aroma of fine wine and sweet cake, Karen, in a low-cut dress, basked in the admiration of a bunch of simps like a queen.
"Karen, this diamond necklace is my birthday gift to you. Let me put it on for you," a man offered, reaching to encircle her neck, only to be brushed off with disdain.
"Such a necklace is nothing more than a collar for dogs in my family," Karen retorted, smirking at me and beckoning with her finger. "Andy, come here."
I replied with a blank expression, "Okay." Then I walked over to her.
Karen gave the man holding the necklace a glance. "Put it on him."
Amidst mocking laughter, the man placed the glittering necklace around my neck.
Karen nodded with satisfaction. "See, I told you, this necklace suits my pet best, hahaha."
Later, when Karen said she was hungry, she had me follow her around. I served her needs and endured the taunts and insults to which I had become accustomed.
Perhaps my silence annoyed Karen, as she suddenly told me that my appearance disgusted her.
She smirked, "Your taste is terrible! That hairstyle of yours makes me sick. Now bow your head, and let me fix it."
I looked at Karen's malicious grin and lowered my head without a word.
Splash! Cold wine cascaded over me, trickling down my neck to my chest.
Karen's laughter echoed above my head. "Hahaha, let me add a cake on top. It looks much better!"
As she spoke, I felt the cream mix with my hair.
Over the past five years, I had grown used to such humiliation. After all, more degrading things had occurred before. My heart had become numb, my emotions stagnant like a lifeless shell.
Once Karen had her fun, she told me to clean up in the restroom and return to her service.
At the sink, I washed my face, rinsing off the wine and cake on my head, although the stains on my collar remained visible.
Tidied up, I headed back to the hall, met by dismissive stares and muttered insults.
"A man like him might as well kill himself!"
"Well, this is the only way to serve a rich woman, hahaha."
Suddenly, a whistle drew my attention to the man who tried to give Karen a necklace.
He wrapped an arm around Karen's waist, calling out, "Oh, darling, look, your pet is back."
He then turned to me. "Hahaha, hurry over here. Let's see if you're a good dog!"
At his words, laughter erupted, and some even mimicked teasing a pet.
I walked silently to Karen's side and said, "Ms. Moore, there's an important meeting tomorrow. Should you..."
Before I could finish, she cut me off, annoyed, "How dare a pet order its owner? You piece of sh*t!"
My cold eyes met her scornful ones as she pulled a bank card from her bag and tossed it toward my face.
"Book me the most expensive presidential suite here. I'm not going home tonight!" she ordered. She then lifted the chin of the man beside her teasingly right before me. "Be good, and we'll have fun later."
I glanced at her indifferently, bent to retrieve the card from the floor, and turned to leave.
The man taunted behind me, "Don't forget to send Karen the room number, you piece of sh*t."
I replied coolly without looking back, "Okay."
Then I heard Karen command sharply, "Andy, once you book the room, wait for me at the door!"
"Sure," I replied lightly.
After all, the contract demanded my unconditional loyalty to her. So, for the past five years, I had obeyed her every command without question.
Half an hour later, amidst Karen and the man's fervent kisses and breathless whispers, she emerged before me, wrapped in the man's arms.
They ignored my presence entirely, lingering by the door and kissing passionately before parting.
The man shot me a smug glance and jeered, "Still here, huh? You're more obedient than my guard dog."
Karen chuckled at his words and glanced my way. "He loves being my obedient little puppy. Without the Moore family, no one would bother with him," she said.
"Humph!" The man nudged me aside mockingly and opened the door. "Move along; Karen and I have better things to do."
I turned my gaze away, uninterested in watching them.
Yet, Karen made sure to let me know I wasn't off the hook. Her handbag thudded against the back of my head.
"Stay here and watch the door until I come out! If you disobey, I'll ask Grandpa to fire you tomorrow morning!"
"But..." I started, only to be cut off by the door slamming shut. She never tolerated any defiance.
From inside, the sounds of their passionate kisses filled the air again. I stared at the closed door for a moment, dazed, and then let out a soft sigh.
It had been five years, and Karen had always been in control. Even with me constantly by her side, she knew nothing about my life.
She didn't know that every night I went to the hospital to sit by my mother, who was in a deep coma, and that I scrambled back to the Moore Group building in the morning to deal with pressing matters.
It was simply impossible for me to stand guard all night.
Even if her grandfather spoiled her, he wouldn't let her go this far. Bill was a shrewd man. He knew Karen needed me to manage things for her so that she could live a carefree life.
The contract was something Bill coerced me into signing back then. Ten million dollars to ensure my loyalty to Karen for five years and my unwavering effort for the Moore Group.
When it came to loyalty, the contract was explicit—even if Karen ordered my death, I had to comply.
Back then, my mother's surgery required not just ten million in cash but also a bone marrow match with the optimal treatment period being only half a month, which was rare. Only an influential family like the Moores could secure it.
The surgery was a success, but my mother slipped into a deep coma and hadn't woken since.
For five years, I had kept vigil at her side every night.
Whether due to the toll of exhaustion or Karen's disdain, I never complained.
I just smiled bitterly, shook my head, and let the memories fade. 'It's alright. There's only a month left!' I told myself.
The contract was nearing its end, and I had fulfilled my duty and loyalty for these five long years.
Soon, there would be nothing tying me to the Moore family.
'Karen, my five years of slavery are finally coming to an end,' I thought.
Sparing one last glance at the tightly shut door, I turned toward the elevator.
At the lobby's front desk, I left Karen's handbag for safekeeping. Then, I headed to the garage, drove into the night, and went straight to the hospital.