Chapter 4

Time ticked by, and dusk settled.

Guests, all dressed to the nines, began arriving at the villa.

Music and laughter filled the grand hall.

I crouched in the corner, sticking out like a sore thumb.

"Isn't that Marta over there?"

A sharp female voice cut through the air.

I looked up and saw several familiar faces.

All old college classmates, part of Anderson's exclusive circle.

"Oh my god, it really is her! What is she wearing?"

"I heard she abandoned Anderson for money back then. How did she end up looking like this?"

"Karma, right? What goes around comes around."

They surrounded me, pointing and whispering, their eyes full of disdain and mockery.

Judy, arm in arm with Anderson, walked over, holding a glass of champagne.

"Now, now, everyone, let's not be so harsh. Marta is earning her living honestly, she deserves respect."

She said "respect" but her eyes were brimming with malice.

"Actually, Marta, since we're all old classmates, why don't you have a drink too?"

Judy took a glass of red wine from a server's tray and offered it to me.

"I don't drink." I lowered my head, continuing to organize the items.

"What? Not accepting?"

A woman in a sequined dress next to me sneered, "Marta, do you think you're still the beauty you were back then? Judy's offering you a drink. That's her being generous!"

"Yeah, who are you trying to impress?"

Someone took the opportunity to push me.

I lost my balance and fell to the floor, my palm landing on an unwrapped brooch.

The sharp pin pierced my skin, and blood immediately welled up.

"Ah!" I cried out in pain.

"She's bleeding! How disgusting!" Judy dramatically stepped back. "Don't get blood on my carpet!"

Anderson stood in the center of the crowd, watching the scene coldly, with no intention of helping.

"Marta, drink up, then you can leave."

He finally spoke.

I suppressed the throbbing pain in my hand, trembling as I took the glass of wine.

As long as I drank this glass of wine, I could get those twenty thousand dollars and leave this hell.

I tilted my head back, drinking the bitter red wine in one gulp.

"Cheers!" A chorus of cheers erupted around me.

"Another one!"

Someone else offered another glass.

I stood up, swaying slightly. "Anderson, we agreed on one glass."

"Did I say you'd get the money after just one glass?" Anderson raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of mockery.

"You…"

Just then, my phone buzzed wildly in my pocket.

My heart tightened. I ignored the pain in my hand and the mockery of the crowd, frantically pulling out my phone.

As soon as I answered, the nurse's anxious voice came through:

"Marta! Lester's heart just failed, she's in critical condition! We need a family member to sign off immediately! Please hurry…"

"I'll be right there…"

Before I could finish, a large hand suddenly reached out, snatching my phone.

"Anderson! Give me back my phone!" I lunged at him like a madwoman.

Anderson held the phone high, watching my frantic state coldly.

"Which rich boy is calling you now? Marta, are you that desperate for a man?"

"No! Give me my phone! Please!"

I cried out, tears streaming down my face.

That was Lester's life-saving call!

"No."

A cruel smile twisted Anderson's lips, and his fingers loosened.

Crack!

The phone slammed onto the marble floor, the screen shattering, going black instantly.

In that moment, my world seemed to shatter with it.

"Anderson!!!"

I let out a desperate shriek, lunging at him without thinking, grabbing his collar.

"If anything happens to her, I swear I'll make you pay for it with your life!"

Slap!

A stinging slap cracked across my face, interrupting my shriek.

It wasn't Anderson who hit me, it was Judy.

"Marta, what are you doing? How dare you lay a hand on Anderson!"

Judy shielded Anderson, looking outrageously righteous.

My head snapped to the side from the blow, my ears ringing, and I tasted blood.

But I felt no pain.

My mind was fixated on the nurse's words: "heart just failed."

Lester was waiting for my signature, Lester was waiting for me to save her life…

I shoved Judy away with surprising force, sending her crashing into a nearby champagne tower.

Crash!

Countless glass cups shattered, wine splattered everywhere, and Judy let out a sharp shriek.

"Ah! My face! Anderson, help me!"

The scene descended into chaos.

Anderson's face was ashen. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he would crush my bones.

"Marta! You're asking for death!"

"Get off me!"

I found a surge of strength, lowered my head, and bit down hard on his wrist.

I didn't let go until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and he cried out in pain, releasing me.

I seized the chance, spun around, picked up my broken phone, and stumbled towards the door.

Behind me, Anderson's furious roar echoed: "Stop her!"

Two bodyguards blocked the doorway.

I grabbed a vase from the entryway, smashed it on the floor, and held a sharp shard against my carotid artery.

The shard pricked my skin, and a thin line of blood ran down my neck.

"Anyone who tries to stop me, I'll die right here!"

My eyes must have looked terrifying.

The bodyguards were startled by my intensity and instinctively backed away.

Anderson rushed up, his pupils contracting at the sight.

"Marta, are you insane? Put that down!"

"Anderson," I stared at him, tears mixing with blood dripping down, "If my daughter dies, I swear I'll make sure you all go down with me."

With that, I pushed past the bodyguards and rushed out into the dark, rainy night.

I ran wildly on the highway until I flagged down a taxi.

"To First Hospital! Fast! Please, hurry!"

The driver, terrified by my blood-soaked appearance, floored the accelerator.