[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26032258F3A3-518":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},518,4,"Chapter 4: A Living Shield","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Night had fallen, and a cold breeze swept through the halls.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine Miller’s eyes were squeezed shut, her pupils darting beneath her lids as she broke into a cold sweat. She muttered in her sleep, \"Don't hit me... it hurts... Mom...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A pair of hands clamped onto her waist. She bolted upright, scrambling to the edge of the bed as a wave of nausea hit her. She doubled over, dry-heaving violently. Memories of the mental institution flooded back—the sickening stench of the ward, the forced labor, the moments she had been shoved to the floor to lick up slop like an animal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was repulsive. Every fiber of her being wanted to retch her guts out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus Spencer froze, his expression hardening into an icy mask. \"What is the meaning of this? Does my touch disgust you that much?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine waited until the bile receded, her lips paper-white. \"No. It’s just... it reminded me of my time at the hospital.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus’s face darkened further. \"I told you, no one in that facility dared to touch you. You were sent there for postpartum depression. Who are you putting on this show for?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So that was what he called it. The torture, the humiliation—just a \"treatment plan.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine offered a bitter, hollow laugh. \"I’m sorry. I suppose I’m just being dramatic.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus choked on his retort. Elaine was usually the one to scream, to insist she was telling the truth, to fight back with everything she had. Seeing her just cave and admit fault so easily left him feeling both unsettled and deeply irritated.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, he spoke, his voice clipped and cold. \"Glad you know it. It’s Morgan’s birthday party tomorrow. Make sure you apologize properly. She’s treated your children like her own—don’t be an ungrateful brat.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat and gave a quiet, obedient nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus felt a strange, simmering rage in his chest. He wanted to storm out, but he found he couldn't quite bring himself to leave. He lay down beside her, his arm draped loosely over her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Elaine,\" he murmured, his voice dropped to a low, dangerous register. \"Stop acting out. As long as you stay obedient, I’ll take care of you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There was no reply.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day, the Spencer Estate was a whirlwind of activity. Although the eldest Spencer son was bedridden, Marcellus—the true power in the house—was fiercely protective of Morgan Rose. With the children already under her control, Morgan’s position at the top was ironclad.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Guests arrived in a steady stream, bearing lavish gifts, their faces masks of obsequious flattery. But all the jewelry, paintings, and real estate in the world couldn't compare to the gift Marcellus presented to Morgan.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't a diamond or a deed to a mansion. It was the Spencer family signet ring—the literal key to the family’s assets, the power to override any directive, and the authority to sign off on any legal document.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Morgan held her breath as she accepted the ring, her cheeks flushing with triumph. Around them, the whispers began.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I heard they were a couple years ago. Looks like the old flame never died.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Spencer is giving her that? Isn't his wife going to be furious?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Elaine? Please. A woman who had to drug her way into this family doesn't have a seat at the table. She’ll be kicked to the curb before the year is out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine, the center of their whispers, merely sat in the corner, her gaze fixed on Marcellus. When they had first married, Greta Spencer had tried to teach her how to handle the family business. Marcellus had feigned concern, claiming she was too fragile, and handed every responsibility over to Morgan instead.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That was why the entire estate bowed to Morgan while treating Elaine like a discarded rug.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He knew exactly how to starve a person of power, didn't he?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her thoughts were cut short when a scrawny, desperate-looking man lunged from the crowd, a dagger glinting in his hand. He sprinted straight for Morgan. \"You filthy bitch! You ruined my family, now you’re going to die for it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus’s pupils dilated in terror. \"Morgan!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the next heartbeat, Elaine felt a crushing, violent shove from behind. She was propelled forward, stumbling directly into the path of the blade, shielding Morgan with her own body.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She stared at the man standing behind her in disbelief.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was Marcellus. He had used her as a human shield.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The blade plunged downward, tearing into Elaine’s chest. A searing, white-hot agony blinded her. As her vision began to blur and the world turned to ink, she felt Marcellus scramble over, his arms wrapping around her in a frantic panic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine forced the last of her strength into a single, rattling whisper: \"Why...\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272928085]