Chapter 4

Just after I finished eating, my phone rang. An unknown number.

I answered. An arrogant female voice came through.

"Is this Clara? I'm Fiona Lee."

Fiona Lee? I thought for a moment—Vivian's rich friend.

"What do you want?"

"Clara, you dared offend Mr. Garrett. Now the Sullivan family is finished. Are you satisfied?" Fiona's tone was full of schadenfreude.

I was too lazy to waste words with her and was about to hang up when she spoke again.

"But I'm in a good mood today. I can show you a way out."

"What way?"

"Tonight at eight, Mr. Smith is hosting a party at Empire Club. Mr. Smith loves girls like you—pure but with a wild edge. If you serve him well, forget one billion, he'd give you two billion."

Mr. Smith was a man in his fifties who loved young women's bodies.

Vivian and Fiona were trying to push me into the fire.

"You don't dare come?" Fiona goaded. "If you want to survive in New York, you'd better show up. Otherwise, face the consequences."

She hung up.

I looked at my phone, my eyes going cold.

Did they think I was still the Clara who could be manipulated at will?

I hadn't planned to pay attention to them, but they kept provoking me. Did they really think I was made of clay?

That night at eight, Empire Club.

I changed into a black cocktail dress, applied delicate makeup, and showed up on time.

Just outside the private room, I heard Fiona's voice inside.

"Don't worry, Mr. Smith. That little bitch will definitely come. She's desperate now. If she doesn't latch onto you, what else can she do?"

A sleazy male voice responded. "You really understand things, Fiona. When this is done, you'll get your reward."

"Thank you in advance, Mr. Smith."

I pushed open the door and walked in.

The private room was filled with smoke. Besides Fiona and Mr. Smith, there were several scantily dressed men and women.

Vivian was there too. She looked surprised to see me.

"You actually came?" Fiona said sarcastically. "Quick, come toast Mr. Smith."

Mr. Smith's lecherous eyes roamed all over my body, making my skin crawl.

"Not bad, not bad. Even prettier than the photos." He rubbed his hands together, grinning obscenely.

I didn't move, just looked at them coldly.

"Clara, what are you standing there for? Hurry up!" Vivian urged, afraid I'd ruin her scheme.

I picked up a glass of red wine from the table and slowly walked toward Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith thought I was going to toast him. He smiled and raised his glass.

Just as he was about to clink glasses with me, I flicked my wrist. The full glass of red wine splashed all over his greasy face.

"Ah!" Mr. Smith screamed.

The entire room went silent. Everyone stared at me in shock.

Fiona was the first to react, shrieking, "Clara! Are you crazy!"

Vivian's face went pale with fright. "What... what are you doing!"

Mr. Smith wiped his face, trembling with rage.

"You bitch! You dare splash me! Grab her! I'm going to destroy you tonight!"

Several men immediately closed in on me.

I was prepared. I grabbed an empty wine bottle from the table and smashed it hard against the edge.

"Bang!"

The bottle shattered. I gripped the remaining half, the sharp glass edge pointed at the man in front.

"Who dares come closer?" I said coldly.

Those men were intimidated by my aura and didn't dare advance.

Mr. Smith screamed furiously, "Useless! All of you! Get her! I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"

Just then, the private room door was suddenly kicked open from outside.

"I'd like to see who dares touch her." A cold voice came through.

I looked toward the voice and froze completely.

Damien? Why was he here?

He was still in that custom wheelchair, followed by the expressionless Owen and several bodyguards in black.

His appearance instantly dropped the room's pressure to zero.