Chapter 2

In the darkness, the receptionist didn't say a word before raising her high-heeled shoe and kicking me hard in the stomach.

The sharp pain made me double over instantly, my stomach heaving.

That's for being a homewrecker!"

"That's for hitting on him!"

She screamed, her voice distorted with jealousy and rage.

She looked down at me and ordered the two men: "Teach her a lesson! Make sure she regrets this!"

The guards were clearly in her pocket. Without hesitation, they rained blows down on me.

I bit my lip, holding back the cries of pain.

I felt like my bones were breaking and my insides were being torn apart.

Her shrill voice continued: "Who do you think you are? Some desperate skank trying to steal my boyfriend!"

"I told you I'm his sister! If you don't believe me, call Cameron right now! I'll talk to him myself!"

I tried to explain, but she wouldn't listen. She only called them off when I started to lose consciousness.

She planted her high-heeled shoe on my shoulder, then picked up the torn envelope from the floor, grinding the papers under her heel as she smiled at me:

"You better apologize right now and admit you were wrong. Write a note promising never to bother my boyfriend again."

"This is what happens when you try to steal my man and then have the nerve to show up here."

"I'm not scared of what might happen. Cameron will take care of everything for me."

I curled up in pain, barely able to speak: "Those documents were important..."

Her expression darkened, and she kicked me again. The guards immediately resumed their beating.

I realized nothing I said would matter. If this kept up, I might actually die here.

After coughing up blood from another blow, I used my last strength to fumble for my phone on the floor.

"Stop... I'll... I'll write it."

She looked satisfied with my surrender, signaling the guards to stop. She crouched down and patted my swollen cheek.

"Wouldn't this have been easier from the start? Did you really need to get beaten up first?"

"You're not just writing it—you're recording a video apology. Admit you tried to seduce him and promise to stay away forever!"

I lay on the cold floor, gasping for air, my lungs burning with pain.

I ignored her and used my shaking hands to unlock my phone and call my best friend, Melanie Lin.

The call connected quickly.

"Melanie, get to my brother's company fast... storage room... bring help..."

"I'm on my way."

Melanie hesitated for a second, then realized something was wrong.

"Serena? What's going on? You sound..."

"Don't ask, just hurry." I cut her off and hung up.

When Yasmin heard me call for help, she didn't look worried at all. Instead, she scoffed: "Calling for backup? Fine, bring whoever you want. No one's saving you today!"

The smug look on her face was impossible to hide.