Chapter 3

Julian froze, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady me.

Right then, Evelyn swayed dramatically, and Julian instantly caught her by the waist.

Frowning, he looked back at me. "I'll handle the hospital authorization."

He paused, adding, "However, Evelyn's welcome banquet is tonight. You will serve the guests throughout the evening. This is your chance to show the grace befitting a true society hostess. Otherwise, the authorization stays revoked, and more points will be deducted."

Evelyn immediately clung to his arm. "Julian, there's no need... she isn't well..."

"She needs to earn it," Julian replied softly to her, before looking at me. "Redeem yourself, Clara. This is your final chance."

I dug my nails into my palms and nodded.

By dusk, I stood in the staff uniform provided by the house manager.

In the mirror, my reflection looked like a ghost.

"Clara, the guests have arrived," the butler signaled.

I walked into the grand ballroom. Under glittering crystal chandeliers, Julian stood dashing in a tailored tuxedo, his arm wrapped around Evelyn.

He raised a champagne flute, his voice warm and magnetic. "Thank you all for coming tonight. Evelyn is the only woman I ever loved before my accident, and she is the most vital part of my future."

Applause erupted through the room.

Evelyn nestled close to his shoulder. She looked my way, her lips curling into a triumphant smirk.

"Clara, what are you standing there for? Bring out the soup," the butler hissed behind me.

I carried a heavy tureen of piping hot lobster bisque toward the main banquet table.

Just as I approached, a foot subtly extended into my path.

I lost my balance and pitched forward.

Boiling broth splashed across my neck and chest.

A scream tore from my throat as a wave of searing agony struck my skin, and I crashed to my knees amidst broken porcelain.

Evelyn's socialite friend covered her mouth, giggling. "Oh dear, my apologies, my leg slipped! But Clara, if you're this clumsy, are you really cut out to serve people?"

Snickers rippled through the elite crowd.

I clenched my teeth, trying to push myself up, but my knees pressed into jagged porcelain shards.

Julian walked over, looking down at me from above.

He let out a disappointed sigh. "Clara, pulling stunts for attention in a room full of guests? You have utterly humiliated yourself. Your score is now negative ten. I am deeply disappointed in you."

He turned on his heel to walk away.

I forced myself up, blood dripping from my knees.

"Julian!"

I pinned him with my gaze, my voice cutting through the hall.

"Since you've lost your memories, why don't you ask your precious first love what really happened five years ago? Ask her how she took a five-million-dollar buyout from your business rival the exact night your family faced bankruptcy, and fled the country on a red-eye flight!"

The ballroom fell dead silent.

Every pair of eyes whipped toward Evelyn.

Her face drained of color, her knees trembling. "Clara... what... what are you talking about..."

Before she could finish, her eyes rolled back and she collapsed into Julian's arms.

"Evelyn!"

Julian caught her, his face turning thunderous as he glared at me. "Are you insane, Clara?! Spreading slander like a hysterical woman—do you have an ounce of dignity left?!"

He draped his suit jacket over Evelyn, shouting, "Security! Lock her in the basement! Don't let her out until she learns what respect and decency mean!"

Two burly guards grabbed me by the arms, dragging me away from the ballroom.

The heavy iron door slammed shut. Absolute darkness swallowed me whole.

Slumping against the freezing concrete wall, my phone screen suddenly flashed in my pocket.

It was an automated urgent alert from St. Jude's:

Patient Martha Vance has suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Emergency resuscitation underway. Immediate family authorization required on-site!

Trembling violently, I dialed the hospital number.

No signal.