Chapter 3

For the next two hours, I sat kneeling by the coffee table like a soulless puppet, explaining each design draft, which I once cherished, to Chloe.

Chloe listened intently, occasionally offering naive and ridiculous suggestions for modifications.

Ethan sat nearby, playing with Chloe's hair, his eyes fixed on me with an oppressive gaze.

He was trying to find a hint of jealousy, grievance, or even collapse on my face.

But I disappointed him.

My face remained expressionless the entire time, my voice so steady that not a single note wavered.

"This 'Starry Night' piece, I think the diamond is too small, not sparkly enough. Ethan, don't you think a ten-carat pink diamond would be better?" Chloe pointed to one of my proudest works, asking sweetly.

That was the wedding ring I had designed for myself.

I had once fantasized that one day Ethan would hold it, kneeling on one knee to propose to me.

Now, it had become a commodity to be picked apart by someone else.

"Fine, if you like it, we'll change it," Ethan said, dotingly pinching her nose, then turned to me, his eyes instantly turning cold. "Did you hear that? The main diamond will be a ten-carat pink diamond, surrounded by pavé diamonds, the most luxurious possible."

"A ten-carat pink diamond requires extremely high hardness and cutting precision; this setting design cannot support it," I pointed out the technical issue in a purely business-like tone.

"That's your problem," Ethan said coldly. "If you can't do it, get out of the company."

I was silent for two seconds, then nodded. "Okay, I'll modify it."

At four in the morning, the explanation finally ended.

Chloe yawned, leaning softly into Ethan's arms. "Ethan, I'm sleepy."

"Go to sleep," Ethan kissed her forehead, then scooped her up and carried her upstairs.

He never looked at me again.

He didn't ask how I would get back so late, with the heavy rain still falling outside.

I gathered my design drafts alone and walked out of the villa with heavy steps.

The cold wind, mixed with rain, blew against me, but I no longer felt the cold.

Because my heart had long since died completely.

The next morning, I arrived at the villa promptly with my toolbox.

Today, I was here to take Chloe's measurements.

As I walked into the living room, I saw Ethan and Chloe eating breakfast on the sofa.

The atmosphere was sickeningly cozy.

"Jade, have you had breakfast? Would you like to join us?" Chloe greeted me enthusiastically.

"No, thank you, I've eaten." I opened my toolbox and took out the measuring tape. "Ms. Chloe, please extend your hand."

Chloe obediently held out her hand.

Her hand was fair and delicate, never having done a day of hard work.

Unlike my hands, which were calloused from years of drawing and polishing jewelry, and had a bruise on the back from Frank's kick last night.

I lowered my head, carefully measuring her finger and noting down the data.

"Hiss—" Chloe suddenly gasped, snatching her hand back. "Jade, you hurt me!"

I paused.

I was clearly using a soft measuring tape; it was impossible to hurt her.

"What's wrong?" Ethan immediately put down his knife and fork, anxiously grabbing Chloe's hand to examine it.

On the back of Chloe's hand, a tiny red mark had appeared at some point.

"I'm fine, Ethan, don't blame Jade. She definitely didn't mean to." Chloe bit her lip apologetically, tears welling in her eyes.

Ethan's face instantly darkened to an alarming degree.

He stood up abruptly and kicked my toolbox, sending it flying.

Various precise measuring tools scattered across the floor with a harsh clang.

"Jade, are you looking for a death wish?!" Ethan grabbed my collar, lifting me clean off the ground.

"I didn't hurt her." I met his furious gaze, my voice calm. "That red mark, it wasn't from me."

"Still trying to argue?!" Ethan was enraged. "Are you taking advantage of Chloe's kindness to deliberately vent your anger on her? I warned you, put away your petty jealousy!"

Jealousy?

I looked at Ethan and suddenly found him utterly ridiculous.

How could he possibly think I would still be jealous?

"Mr. Ethan," I took a deep breath, fighting the suffocating grip on my neck. "If you believe I'm not suited for this job, you can easily replace me. There's no need to make false accusations."

"Are you threatening me?" Ethan's eyes narrowed, staring at me dangerously.

"I wouldn't dare. I'm merely stating facts."

The two of us stood locked in a standoff, the air thick with tension.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was the hospital.

"Is this Stella's family? Stella was injured in a fight at school and is now in the emergency room. Please come immediately!"

My mind buzzed, instantly going blank.

Stella!

"Let me go!" I struggled violently, with surprising strength, actually prying Ethan's hand off me.

I didn't even bother picking up my tools; I dashed out like a madwoman.

"Jade, where are you going? Stop!" Ethan roared behind me.

I ignored him, my mind fixated solely on Stella.

When I rushed into the hospital emergency room, Stella was lying on the bed, her face covered in blood, her forehead wrapped in thick bandages, already unconscious.

"Doctor, how is my sister?" I grabbed the doctor's arm, my voice trembling uncontrollably.

"You're the family, right? The patient suffered a severe blow to the head, resulting in a mild concussion, multiple soft tissue contusions on her body, and also…" The doctor paused, his eyes looking complex. "The patient has lacerations in her lower body. We suspect she may have been sexually assaulted, and we've already called the police."

Sexually assaulted?!

Those words struck me like a lightning bolt, splitting my very being.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed directly to the floor.

How could this happen?

Stella was so well-behaved, so obedient. How could something like this happen to her?

"Frank… it must be him!" I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my flesh, drawing blood.

He had threatened me just yesterday, and today Stella was in trouble.

That bastard! How dare he!