Chapter 4

"Louis, don't say I'm heartless. Just apologize and promise not to compete with Alfred anymore, and I'll forgive you."

Alfred hugged her waist, smiling.

"Louis, Wesley's already giving you an out. Stop being stubborn."

"Besides, when did people like you who only care about money ever deserve status?"

Wesley affectionately pinched his cheek without any objection.

I knew she was using this to control me.

Forcing me to learn submission, to be her underground lover who could never see the light of day.

I said nothing, just calmly put my phone in a waterproof bag.

Then I climbed over the railing and jumped into the sea without hesitation.

Amid the shocked gasps, Wesley's eyes widened in disbelief.

I fought through my fear, swimming desperately toward the shore.

But the winter seawater was too cold, the distance too far. I gradually couldn't hold on.

Fortunately, I encountered two men in a small boat midway. They said they were volunteers cleaning garbage from the nearby waters.

They pulled me up and warmly handed me a bowl of warm fish soup, which helped me recover somewhat.

But a few minutes later, I felt dizzy and disoriented.

Those two men's friendly faces changed completely as they approached me with sinister grins.

"So you're the one who threatened Alfred, right? We came specifically to teach you a lesson! After we're done with you, we'll throw you in the sea to feed the fish!"

My heart sank.

These were Alfred's fans!

My phone rang—the caller ID showed Wesley.

I grabbed a sharp fishing spear nearby and held it in front of me. Taking advantage of their momentary wariness, I quickly answered.

Her voice came through, breathless with passion.

"Are you dead yet? If not, come back and change the sheets."

"Some paparazzi suspect Alfred and I are just staging a publicity stunt and are hiding outside the window taking photos, so we had to make it real."

Fighting the nausea in my stomach, I desperately called for help.

"Wesley, Alfred's fans drugged me—they're trying to kill me!"

"I'm northeast of the cruise ship, about two kilometers away. Come save me quickly!"

Wesley immediately said with concern:

"What?! I'll be right there..."

The next second, Alfred's sarcastic voice came through.

"Louis, I really didn't expect you to be so good at sowing discord."

"My friends just left from that direction and didn't see anyone. You're just pretending to be pitiful to make Wesley come find you, aren't you?"

"Wesley, he probably has media planted nearby, just waiting to force you to reconcile and go public with your relationship. Don't let him manipulate you."

Before I could explain, Wesley shouted angrily.

"Louis, you're so selfish! Do you have to make people mock me?!"

"You want to get back together? Fine. Kneel at my door tomorrow morning and say you were wrong!"

"Without me, you can't even find a decent job. Just wait to starve on the streets and think it over!"

The phone was hung up. My heart went completely cold.

Those two men laughed viciously.

"See that? She only has eyes for Alfred."

"You shameless creep dared to destroy Alfred's happiness—I'll kill you!"

They snatched away the fishing spear and knocked my phone away. I was pressed against the wet, cold deck.

In despair, a blinding white light suddenly appeared in the distance.

Someone was racing across the water on a jet ski.