Chapter 4

The next evening, I still went to the gathering.

As soon as I pushed open the door, I collided with a male server.

I fell hard to the ground, and the drinks he was carrying spilled all over me.

The server hurriedly apologized, trying to brush the liquid off my clothes.

"I'm... I'm sorry."

Someone said something.

"Coming to a party and ending up this pathetic—trying to make Ethan clean up your mess again?!"

"I think she just can't behave! Why does she always throw herself at men?!"

The private room erupted with waves of laughter.

"God, look at her slutty behavior. How could she possibly be good enough for our Ethan?"

"I told you, why else would those thugs target her specifically back then? Why didn't they strip anyone else's clothes?"

"I think our Chloe, beautiful and kind-hearted, is the one who deserves Ethan!"

Chloe blushed and joked back.

"Don't say that. Someone as outstanding as Ethan is way out of my league."

In that moment, I kept my head down as intense humiliation threatened to drown me.

My nose stung with unbearable sourness, but I fought desperately to keep my tears from falling.

Soon, the server was pulled away.

It was Ethan's handsome face.

He didn't help me up, but instead looked at me with leisure, laughing lightly.

"Megan, you're my entertainment. You always manage to come up with new tricks to amuse me."

The room roared with laughter.

Only then did he bend down and yank me into the bathroom, casually closing the door behind us.

But his face still wore that smile as he tapped my soaked collar with his finger, his tone flippant.

"But seriously, why do you always throw yourself at men? Have I not satisfied you somehow? You're really embarrassing me."

My fists clenched white as I listened to his words.

My heart felt like it was being carved with knives.

I raised my head, my reddened eyes confronting his.

"Can you stop being so vicious! Are jokes really that fun for you?"

His brow furrowed, and he was about to speak when Liam draped his jacket over me.

Just in time to cover my disheveled state.

"Thank you."

My voice was hoarse, but it instantly ignited Ethan's anger.

"Oh, the hero comes to the rescue?"

"Bro, nice taste. But let me give you some advice—a troublemaker like her is more than you can handle."

"And stop flattering yourself. She only depends on me."

My breathing quickened, and my trembling gaze met his.

He glanced at me, then looked away without hesitation and walked out to sit back down next to Chloe.

Liam's expression soured as he sat with me in the farthest corner.

And Ethan's eyes never landed on me from start to finish.

Before long, Chloe picked up her wine glass and stood, walking out from in front of me.

But as she passed by, she suddenly fell hard to the ground, wine spilling all over her.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Megan! Why would you play such a cruel joke? You got soaked, so you had to make me get soaked too?!"

Ethan was drawn over and helped Chloe up.

"See? I told you she's a troublemaker."

He looked at me, his eyes full of knowing "understanding," shaking his head with a smile.

"Megan, even jealousy has its limits. I know you're unhappy seeing me talk to Chloe, but you can't play dirty like this."

"That's taking the joke too far."

I snapped out of my shock, meeting his suspicious gaze as my breathing stopped. I spoke hoarsely.

"I didn't do anything."

Liam spoke up. "I was right there. I saw clearly—Megan didn't move. It was Chloe who..."

"What does it have to do with you?!"

Ethan suddenly erupted.

His eyes swept darkly between Liam and me, then settled on me.

"Megan, I wondered why you dared to throw a tantrum at me today. Turns out you found yourself a new protector?"

"Changed your taste? You like the silent type now?"

"Megan, when will you stop seducing men?"

I closed my eyes, my nose stinging as tears fell on the back of my hand.

"Why won't you believe me?"

Seeing this, Ethan's tone softened.

"Look, now you're really crying."

"Come on, don't cry. I know you didn't mean it. Just joking with you."

My mind suddenly went blank, a ringing in my ears.

With just that one sentence, I suddenly lost the strength to defend myself, murmuring softly.

"No need. I did mean it."