Chapter 4

Audrey POV

I returned to the hot water dispenser room and cleaned up the broken shards on the floor.

Just as I turned around, I saw Liam standing behind me.

"Skylar said she won't pursue this, but I have to make you pay a price, so you don't make a habit of bullying her."

Liam's face was grim, as if he wanted to devour me.

I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, so I straightened my back and met his gaze.

"You came to find me, and Skylar doesn't know, does she? If she knew, she definitely wouldn't let you come. Because she knows better than anyone whose fault it was this afternoon."

Liam frowned.

"What do you mean? Skylar wouldn't falsely accuse you."

I didn't answer him, just grabbed his sleeve and walked towards the security room.

"See the surveillance footage for yourself, everything will be clear."

The security guard nearby pulled up the afternoon's footage, high-definition, panoramic, and with audio.

In a few minutes, everything was crystal clear.

Liam's expression still seemed unchanged.

I spoke up proactively.

"If I were to call the police, would this count as intentional assault? Spending ten days or half a month in jail shouldn't be an issue."

Only when Skylar was mentioned did Liam's expression finally show a ripple.

"What do you want to keep you from doing that?"

My heart skipped a beat. So Liam actually had to plead with me.

But this was indeed my goal.

I took a deep breath.

"You injured me this badly; you owe me medical expenses, right? Five million, no negotiating."

Liam glanced at me, then pulled a bank card from his wallet and tossed it on the floor, speaking coldly.

"The PIN is Skylar's birthday. I can't believe you've become so money-grubbing now. I don't know what makes you any different from those gold diggers. Do you even deserve to be a Bennett girl alongside Skylar?"

Liam gave me the money but still didn't forget to humiliate me.

Even though this was compensation for me.

"Pick it up. Don't you love money?"

Liam's voice carried a hint of contempt.

I picked it up almost without hesitation, faking a casual smile. "Thanks, Liam."

Liam snorted coldly.

"Audrey, you're truly despicable, losing all your dignity for a bit of cash."

With that, he turned and left, leaving me alone.

I looked at myself in the mirror, pulling a self-deprecating smile.

In the past, when I was the favored Bennett girl, I wouldn't have even looked at this amount of money.

But ever since Mom entered the hospital, Dad wouldn't even pay her medical bills, let alone give me pocket money.

What was my dignity compared to Mom's well-being? I just wanted her to be okay, to have the best medical care.

I pulled myself together, returned to the ward, and contacted another reputable hospital to transfer Mom.

Now that I had the money, I no longer feared being kicked out.

After transferring her to the new hospital and arranging everything, seeing Mom's face look much more peaceful on the bed, I finally left with peace of mind.

By the time I returned home, I was so exhausted I just wanted to lie down and sleep.

Half-asleep, I heard urgent footsteps downstairs, and I couldn't help but step out to see what was happening.

All the servants in the house were at the entrance, ready to welcome someone.

"Hurry up, Skylar will be back soon. She injured her leg and can't move easily, so be sharp."

No sooner had the words fallen than the roar of an engine stopped at the door.

The servants stood in two rows, and Liam carried Skylar, walking through the middle under everyone's gaze, straight upstairs.

Skylar buried her face in Liam's chest, her face flushed with shyness.

As they passed me, I met Skylar's challenging gaze.

I vaguely heard Skylar's feigned angry complaint.

"What are you doing? So many people are here. Put me down quickly."

Liam freed one hand and held her firmly, his voice hoarse.

"Don't move."

Skylar, who had been slightly struggling moments before, now lay comfortably and securely in Liam's arms.