Rumors spread like wildfire that the fallen daughter of the Bennetts was Jaylin’s secret lover.
Jaylin didn’t shy away from it either, taking me with him wherever he went.
When the media tried to pry for information, he never explained anything.
The Sharpes and the Reynolds were business partners, and their marriage alliance was a powerful union.
At a business banquet hosted by the Sharpes, Jaylin made me his date, and I accompanied him to the event.
I walked into the public eye, arm-in-arm with Jaylin, our behavior intimate.
Mollie’s face twisted with rage as she stormed over, demanding, “Jaylin, are you bringing her here to make a fool out of me?”
Jaylin arched a brow casually, his tone indifferent, “Miss Mollie, the media loves to spread rumors and twist the truth. Why are you taking it so seriously?”
Mollie, used to getting her way, slapped me hard and hissed, “Rachel, I might not be able to deal with him, but I can deal with you!”
She picked on me, convinced I wouldn’t dare fight back.
My cheek burned with pain, and my eyes welled with tears, but I didn’t dare retaliate.
Mollie, still unsatisfied, picked up a glass of wine and poured it over my head in front of everyone.
The amber liquid trickled down my face, my hair sticking to my cheeks, leaving me looking utterly pathetic.
I wasn’t someone who would just take it lying down, so I grabbed a glass of wine and splashed it back at her.
“Miss Mollie, if you don’t know what it means to respect others, I’d be happy to teach you!”
Mollie let out a startled cry, clearly not expecting me to fight back and ruin her priceless gown.
“Rachel, do you really think you’re worthy of standing up to me? Kneel down and apologize, and maybe I’ll consider sparing the Bennetts.”
She had me by the weak spot, certain I wouldn’t refuse.
But I stood my ground. “And what if… I don’t apologize?”
Once upon a time, my father had called me his little darling, spoiling me rotten.
Then he had an illegitimate child with another woman. My mother couldn’t bear the betrayal and succumbed to depression.
When the Bennetts faced a debt crisis, my father was quick to throw me under the bus.
Since he didn’t care whether I lived or died, why should I degrade myself for some cheap semblance of family?
Jaylin’s lips curled into a mocking smile as he watched, not intending to intervene.
He hated me and would love nothing more than for me to be humiliated in front of everyone.
Mollie’s expression grew darker by the second, and suddenly, she shoved me hard.
I lost my balance and fell straight back into the champagne tower behind me.
The tower collapsed with a crash, shards of glass scattering everywhere.
The broken pieces pierced into my skin, a sight as shocking as it was gruesome.
I lay in a pool of blood, crimson spreading out behind me.
The scene descended into chaos.
For the first time, Jaylin’s cold, detached expression cracked. He hurriedly scooped me into his arms. “Rae, I’ll take you to the hospital!”
Mollie was still relentless. “Jaylin, are you feeling sorry for her? You say the media’s making things up, but she’s clearly your lover!”
“Still not admitting it?”
Jaylin shot her a menacing glare. “Miss Mollie, if anything happens to Rachel, I’ll make sure you pay for it!”
Mollie clenched her teeth in anger. “Are you seriously going to break things off with the Sharpes because of her?”
In her mind, a businessman like Jaylin would understand the importance of weighing the pros and cons.
He wouldn’t jeopardize his relationship with the Sharpes for a lover he couldn’t even publicly acknowledge.
But this time, she was wrong.
Jaylin had always done whatever he wanted, arrogant and unyielding. The one thing he hated most was being threatened.
“Mollie, consider our engagement canceled! From now on, the Reynolds will no longer do business with the Sharpes!”
“Touch my people, and you’ll pay the price!”
I furrowed my brows, the pain making my consciousness blur. The figures before me became hazy.
Was he really worried about me?
Was it just an illusion?