Chapter 4

Daisy's POV

I stood quietly in the shadows at the edge of the ballroom, looking down at my clipboard, not saying a word.

Madison strolled over, champagne flute in hand, her critical gaze sweeping over me.

"The venue setup is mediocre, but there's one thing I'm really not happy with."

Madison pointed to the hem of her gown.

"The floors were just waxed. My train is dragging and might get dirty. Tonight, you'll walk behind me and carry my train."

I closed the folder, my expression completely flat.

"One moment, Miss Cole. We have carpet runners backstage. I'll have the crew roll them out immediately."

Seeing that I wouldn't instantly submit, Madison's face soured.

Sean walked over with a drink in hand. Seeing her scowl, he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"What's wrong?"

"Sean, I was worried about ruining my custom gown, so I asked your personal interpreter to help hold the train. She's giving me attitude. She's clearly still holding a grudge about the other day."

Madison leaned against Sean's shoulder, her eyes reddening.

Sean patted her back soothingly, but when he turned his gaze to me, his eyes were frosty.

"It's just carrying a train. That's part of your duties for tonight's event."

"You've been with the company for years. Can't you handle something this simple?"

A few wealthy guests nearby joined in with sneers.

"She's just a hired interpreter on payroll, and she's acting like she's someone important."

"Who does she think she is? Miss Cole letting you hold her dress is an honor. Know your place."

Looking at the chilling indifference in Sean's eyes, my chest seized tight.

Swallowing the bitter ache, I bent down and picked up the heavy train of Madison's gown.

With her arm linked through Sean's, Madison strutted up and down the grand spiral staircase in her towering heels.

The train was heavily encrusted with metallic beading and crystals, rough and heavy against my skin.

Forced to stay half-bent the entire time, my arms quickly grew numb and swollen, the metal edges cutting tiny, stinging gashes into my fingers.

When Madison finally grew tired, she sat in a VIP booth and waved over a waiter carrying an entire tray of liquor shots.

"My friends came out to celebrate my return, but I can't drink tonight. As Sean's assistant, you drink this entire tray for me."

I stood still.

"I have a severe alcohol allergy."

"Sean, look at her ruining my mood again!"

Madison tugged on Sean's sleeve, pouting.

Sean knew damn well I was allergic to alcohol. But looking at Madison's pout, his voice showed zero compromise.

"You keep allergy meds in your bag at all times. Take a couple of pills first. A few drinks won't kill you."

Looking into his dead, unbothered eyes, I let out a soft, mocking chuckle.

The pills in my bag were for pollen allergies. He used to know that perfectly well.

I dug two white pills out of my purse and swallowed them dry.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire room, I picked up the glasses and poured the liquor down my throat, one after another.

The burning alcohol seared my esophagus and tore through my stomach lining. Nausea and sharp cramps surged violently, and the figures around me began to blur and double.

Just as I finished the seventh glass, Madison let out a shrill scream.

"My earring! Where is the diamond earring Sean gave me?!"

Madison jumped to her feet, pointing an accusing finger at me as I swayed on my feet.

"No one has been near me tonight except her, hovering right behind my back! She definitely stole it while holding my dress!"

The vicious stomach cramps made my whole body tremble. Clinging to my last shred of consciousness, I defended myself.

"Mr. Vance, I didn't take anything."

Sean looked at Madison's tear-filled eyes, then glanced at my pale face and the smell of alcohol coming from me, his brow furrowing hard.

"It was crowded tonight. It probably slipped off while walking. I'll have security look for it first."

"Sean Vance!"

Madison yanked her hand away from his, crying hysterically.

"You picked that earring out yourself as our promise token! Do you have any idea how much it means to me? And now you're protecting a thieving outsider?!"

"If you don't strip-search her right here, right now, we can forget about getting engaged! We're done!"

Madison turned to storm out.

Panic flashed across Sean's face. He grabbed her back, then signaled with a flick of his wrist to the two security guards behind him.

"Search her."

Two burly guards rushed forward, pinning my arms behind my back and slamming me face-down onto the freezing marble floor.

The rough force wrenched my joints, sending sharp pain through my shoulders, my mind going blank.

"I didn't take it! Let me go!"

I struggled with everything I had, thrashing on the ground, but their hands locked around me like iron clamps, tearing at my jacket and ripping open my pockets.

Buttons popped off, my collar was torn wide open, and my bare skin scraped against the floor, leaving stinging red welts.

Surrounding guests held their drinks, watching the spectacle with cold, amused eyes.

Just as the guards reached to tear open my inner camisole, Sean's brow twitched, and he shifted slightly, about to call them off.

Suddenly, the ballroom side door swung open, and an event coordinator ran over with a velvet tray.

"Mr. Vance, we found it! Miss Cole's diamond earring fell into the gap behind the restroom sink!"

Under the glaring chandeliers, all eyes fell upon the undamaged diamond earring.

The tension in Sean's jaw slackened. He waved the guards off.

Picking up the earring from the tray, he gently clipped it back onto Madison's earlobe.

"It's found. No more crying, alright?"

Madison giggled through her tears, looping her arm around Sean's, her eyes slanting down toward me as I lay battered on the floor with torn clothes.

"Thank goodness it wasn't lost, or I'd never forgive myself."

Madison covered her mouth, letting out a fake sigh.

"Still, Miss Daisy went through all this because of my misunderstanding... Should I apologize to her?"

Dozens of mocking, voyeuristic gazes locked onto me as I huddled on the freezing floor, bruised and humiliated.

Clutching my torn clothes over my chest, I curled into a tight ball against the cold stone.

Through the suffocating humiliation, Sean's indifferent voice drifted down from above.

"No need to apologize. She's just a hired interpreter on payroll. Taking a little hardship and unfairness is part of the job."