Chapter 2
I went to the police station.
A young female officer greeted me, her eyes full of pity, like I was some pitiful mess.
"You said you were drugged and assaulted?" she asked.
"Yes," I said, and told her everything.
After she finished taking my statement, she told me to head to the hospital for a forensic exam.
I went back to the hospital and rushed straight to the ER.
The doctor drew my blood, took some samples, and handed me a bunch of forms.
I'd have to wait three days for the results.
When I got back to the police station, the officer said, "Just wait for the news."
"I don't have anywhere to go," I told her.
She glanced at me, let out a sigh, and handed me a temporary permit so I could stay at a nearby motel.
Three days later, I finally got the forensic report.
It said: "The drug's already left your system. There's nothing left to prove it."
I brought the report back to the police station.
The officer looked it over and shook her head. "This isn't enough to open a case."
"Why?" I asked.
"No cameras, no drug evidence. There's no way to prove you were attacked," the officer said.
"What about the injuries on my body?" I pressed.
"Maybe you just fell and hurt yourself," the officer said, totally matter-of-fact. "Plus, they've already got a lawyer and are suing you for defamation."
I sat there, my mind completely blank.
"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked.
"I suggest you get a lawyer," the officer said, handing me a business card. "But honestly, you don't stand much of a chance with cases like this."
By the time I left the police station, it was already dark.
My phone rang.
It was my agency.
"Olivia, get to the office right now," my agent said.
I grabbed a cab and headed straight to the office.
My agent was sitting there, his face dark with anger.
"Olivia, do you even know what kind of mess you've become online?" he snapped.
I opened Twitter.
The top trending topic was: #Olivia Tried to Seduce an Investor, Failed, and Now She's Framing Her Movie Star Boyfriend#
I clicked in, and the whole feed was just people tearing me apart.
"Wow, this chick is seriously shameless."
"She'll do anything to get ahead, huh?"
"Poor James, stuck with a girlfriend like that."
I kept scrolling, my fingers trembling the whole time.
"Olivia, the company's terminating your contract," my agent said, sliding a document across the desk. "Here's the list of penalties. You have three days to pay it all."
I looked at the amount, and my head started spinning.
2.5 million dollars.
"I don't have that kind of money," I said.
"Then sell your house, your car, anything you own that's worth something," my agent said, standing up. "If you don't pay up in three days, we'll take you to court."
I was thrown out of the company.
One after another, my sponsors started calling, demanding compensation for breach of contract.
All together, it came to five million dollars.
I only had 70 thousand dollars left in my account.
When I got back to my rented apartment, my landlord, a middle-aged woman, was already waiting at the door.
"Olivia, you're not coming in," she said, arms crossed. "I saw the news. I don't rent to people like you."
"I paid six months' rent," I said.
"I'll give it back," she said, tossing a wad of cash at me. "Now get out. Don't make me call the police."
I stood outside, dragging my suitcase behind me.
It started raining again.
I opened my contacts and called every single person I knew.
None of them picked up.
They'd all blocked me.
I sat on the curb, hugging my knees.
Rainwater trickled down my hair.
A sleek black car rolled to a stop right in front of me.
The window slid down, and Richard Carter appeared.
He was lounging in the back seat, a cigar dangling from his lips, eyeing me.
"Get in," Richard said.
I didn't move.
"Do you really have a choice?" he smirked. "Either come with me, or you'll die out here."
The car door swung open.
Richard's assistant stepped out, holding a document, and handed it to me.
"Miss Stone, this is the contract," he said.
I took it and flipped to the first page.
Olivia Stone, of her own free will, agrees to become Richard Carter's mistress and follow these rules:
1. Olivia can't get close to any guy beyond normal social stuff, including James Carter.
2. Olivia has to be at Richard's beck and call, and do whatever he wants.
3. Olivia can't tell anyone about her relationship with Richard.
4. If she breaks the rules, she'll owe fifteen million dollars.
My hands were trembling as I stared at that last line.
"Olivia, are you signing or not?" the assistant urged.
I glanced up at Richard sitting in the car.
He leaned back in his seat, a smirk playing on his lips, eyes glinting with amusement.
"What about James?" I asked.
"He doesn't need to know," Richard said, flicking ash from his cigar. "Sign it, and I'll pay off every cent you owe."
"If you don't sign, expect a lawsuit tomorrow."
I gripped the pen, my hand trembling as the tip pressed against the signature line, hesitating for a moment.
Rain splattered onto the paper, smudging the ink and blurring the words.
I closed my eyes and signed my name, feeling like I was sealing my own fate.