In just ten minutes of brief rest, Ouyang had obtained such explosive intel—something not even mentioned in Xiaomo's reports.

The three girls, who would obey Anderson's every word without question, had their fates sealed the moment they entered the castle—clutched tightly in his grasp.

Crushing debt only worsened their already struggling families' plight.

Anderson had personally visited each girl's family, introducing his training institute. He offered free maid courses and job placements, openly displaying all credentials, success cases, and potential earnings. He promised to quickly ease their financial burdens, bringing a lifeline to their desperate lives.

Their relatives or parents had already signed confidentiality agreements with Anderson—effectively selling their daughters to him like goods.

Anderson assured their families that no matter where the girls worked, they would receive a hefty monthly payment to clear their debts.

The catch? They must never contact their daughters during these years. Breach this, and the guarantee would be void—with double the amount owed as penalty.

Anderson had definitely investigated these girls' family backgrounds thoroughly. Ouyang mentally tallied the debts. He targeted families drowning in debts they couldn't clear in twenty years—especially only-child or single-parent homes—for his scam. How despicable.

"Is Number 4's situation the same as ours?"

"I'm... not like you," Ouyang said with a frown, deeply troubled.

She nervously pressed her lips together. Watching the three girls, so calm and carefree, Ouyang alone felt a deep unease.

If Anderson were gone, they'd return home—only to face relentless debt collectors, robbing them of any peace day or night.

Maintain the status quo or return to the past...

Head bowed in distress, Ouyang stared at her palms. Their destinies now lay in her grasp.

"Break time's over. Let's go together."

Ouyang took the hands offered by No. 1 and No. 2, her heart heavy with guilt, as they entered the second room—a space of strange, refined decor.

Twice as large as the previous dance room, it was neatly filled with kitchenware, tea sets, cleaning supplies, sewing tools, and more.

Anderson, whip in hand, had already been waiting for the four maids.

Ouyang felt a twinge of unease at the sight of the household items. Then Anderson stepped forward, his tone gentle and elegant:

"A true maid is versatile. By sunset, you'll master every skill here: washing, cooking, cleaning, keeping everything immaculate—equally at home in the parlor and the kitchen. Clear?"

"Understood, Master."

Her silent mouthing of the words drew Anderson's gaze. Ouyang stole a cautious glance, catching his cold stare fixed on her.

Had she been caught? A chill suddenly ran down her spine.

If she truly called Anderson "Master," would that guy really appear and kill him?

A tiny spark of anticipation flickered in Ouyang—then she silently shook her head. Relying on that pervert's power now was utterly embarrassing.

No, she absolutely couldn't rely on the Blood Clan's strength.

Ouyang silently resolved: this mission from Xiaomo must be completed by her own hands.

From training's start, Ouyang felt the gap of her true gender; in housework and crafts, she was completely outmatched by the other three maids.

Anderson's first challenge: move all items from the long table ahead to the one opposite within three minutes. Drop anything, and restart with punishment.

Moving items should be easy. But as Ouyang tried to stride forward, the chains below yanked her, restricting her movement.

Tiny shuffling steps made finishing impossible. Her bound hands couldn't hold more.

The path ahead was clear. Ouyang carried as much as she could—arms full, blocking her view. Shuffling forward, she glimpsed the finish line just a meter away—when a hard object tripped her.

She stared at the scattered mess, reaching out with a dejected expression. Her heart ached—not from the fall, but from the thought of restarting and punishment.

"The fall didn't hurt; the pain came from redoing it and facing Anderson's punishment."

"Number 4, are you that clumsy? Can't even walk properly?"

Damn...

Anderson, standing beside her, whipped the air coldly and mockingly.

Ouyang shot him a fierce glare. He'd definitely done it on purpose.

"Since you dropped the items, you must accept punishment."

Anderson's eyes gleamed as he raised the whip. It cracked sharply against Ouyang's pale thigh—a crisp, musical *snap!* Like a sly thunder-serpent sinking its fangs into her cool, delicate skin.

Ouyang bit back the pain, turning to see a deep red mark. It healed much slower than usual.

Seeing Number 4's confused, wronged look, Anderson smiled wickedly. He patiently explained to the foolish little Blood Clan member:

"These two items I prepared specially slow your healing. I'll make you slowly taste the consequences of failing deadlines."

Damn...

Ouyang despised the despicable Anderson. He exploited the Blood Clan's weakness—slow healing when exposed to silver items—against her.

The following challenges confirmed Anderson was targeting her.

Anderson buzzed beside her like a mosquito, trampling her dignity. No matter what she did, he mocked or cursed her.

During tea ceremony training, the short handcuffs caused Ouyang to fling a teacup to the floor—earning another whip strike.

"You useless trash! Can't even do this simple task? You're dumber than a pig!"

Unskilled in sewing, Ouyang couldn't replicate the pattern no matter how many tries. Her fingers were pricked with tiny holes, her back stung from repeated lashes. She kept swallowing her anger.

"Look at what you sewed! Does it match the pattern? Ugly! Do it again!"

Malicious Anderson, wearing an ugly grin, lashed Ouyang's back again. Her hand jerked—the needle piercing her skin, blood splattering onto the white cloth.

The sewing tools clattered heavily as Ouyang stood up in fury. She couldn't take it anymore—ready to tear into Anderson. But as she opened her mouth, fist clenched to strike, she saw the three maids behind him—tense and fearful, not wanting this fight.

Rage-blinded Ouyang suddenly remembered Claudia's mission. She reluctantly lowered her fist—and took another whip strike.

This strike was heavier than any before. Pain and exhaustion nearly made her collapse, but sheer willpower kept her standing.

The other three maids cooperated eagerly with Anderson's instructions, without a single complaint.

What kind of maid training was this? Pure abuse—breaking spirits to reshape them completely.

Ouyang's mind buzzed, deaf to Anderson's incessant nagging. Only when he fell silent did she exhale quietly, her heart filled with irritation.

"Had enough of yelling? Then shut your mouth! You're so loud!"

Crimson eyes met Anderson's blue ones. Under Ouyang's sudden burst of rage, Anderson watched in confusion as his own mouth snapped shut uncontrollably. He tried to speak, but only muffled grunts escaped—as if glued shut with super glue.

Anderson struggled painfully, trying to pry his mouth open—but failed.

Seeing his furious expression, Ouyang watched ahead, heart pounding with fear.

The ability passed down from the Bloodkin Prince—it was real.

"Mmmph... mmmph... Awooo..."

Anderson, rooted to the spot, let out a mad, low roar—shifting from human sounds to an animal's growl.

The deep wolf howl made the entire room tremble slightly.

The sound of tearing fabric came from ahead. Ouyang looked up in terror to see a creature covered in light brown fur. Two thick, powerful non-human legs stomped the ground, shattering the tiles.

Xiaomo's reports hadn't mentioned that half-wolf, half-human Mosterians could revert to their original size.

Could it be...

Eyes wide with terror, Ouyang watched as Anderson, due to the vast power gap, broke free from her restraint. He lunged at her effortlessly, grabbing her in his huge, sharp wolf claws.

Ignoring the three maids huddled behind him, trembling—they'd never seen such horror.

Anderson gripped the little Blood Clan member tightly, finding her desperate struggles utterly laughable.

He grinned, baring sharp fangs, and sneered wickedly:

"Today's lesson ends here. I must properly punish this disobedient little one in my grasp..."