Chapter 4

Sophia POV

Torrential rain.

The Shaw house was hosting a bachelor party tonight.

The garden was brightly lit with a towering champagne fountain.

As a "servant," I was assigned to cut fruit in a corner.

My hand was injured, so my movements were very slow.

"Faster! Didn't you eat?"

The housekeeper came over and slapped the back of my head.

I didn't stand steady, and the fruit knife cut my finger.

New wounds on top of old ones.

I didn't make a sound and switched to my other hand to continue cutting.

In the center of the hall, Tristan was being surrounded by people toasting him.

Someone asked, "Tristan, what about that Sophia? I heard she was released?"

"She's working in the back."

Tristan swirled his wine glass. "Those who make mistakes must be punished. The Shaw family doesn't support freeloaders."

"You're still magnanimous. If it were me, I would have sent this kind of corporate spy to prison long ago."

Everyone laughed.

I finished cutting the last piece of watermelon and carried the plate out.

The rain was getting heavier.

I was soaked through, and the fruit on the plate was also drenched.

Just as I reached the pool, a foot stretched out.

It was Rachel Stone, Linda's best friend.

I was tripped and fell right into the pool.

A loud splash.

The early winter water was bone-chillingly cold.

Screams and laughter rang out around me.

I couldn't swim.

I thrashed in the water, choking down several mouthfuls.

Through the water's surface, I saw people on the shore watching the show.

Tristan stood at the back of the crowd, holding a cigarette between his fingers, watching coldly.

No intention of saving me.

Five years ago, when I was beaten by a group, he watched the same way and said, "This is what you deserve."

I gave up struggling.

My body slowly sank.

Just then, a hand pulled me up.

It was an unfamiliar man.

He dragged me ashore and took off his jacket to cover me.

"Are you okay?"

His voice was deep, with anger.

I lay on the ground coughing violently, spitting out several mouthfuls of dirty water.

I looked up and saw the man's face clearly. It was Ethan Grant, Tristan's business rival.

"Thank you."

I pushed away his jacket and struggled to stand up.

I couldn't accept his kindness.

In these seven days, I couldn't form bonds with anyone.

"Tristan, is this how you treat your guests?" Ethan looked at Tristan, his tone mocking.

Tristan walked over, his gaze falling on me.

My wet clothes clung to my body, outlining my skeletal frame.

"If you like this kind of goods, I don't mind giving her to you."

Tristan flicked his cigarette ash. "She's just damaged goods nobody wants anyway."

My body trembled.

I didn't look at Ethan, nor at Tristan.

I bent down to pick up the fruit plate from the ground, though the fruit inside had already scattered everywhere.

"Never mind."

I said, my voice calm. "Someone like me doesn't deserve Ethan Grant."

I turned around, dragging my soaked body, walking step by step into the rain.

Back in the servants' quarters.

I started running a fever.

Hot and cold all over, my head felt like needles were jabbing it.

I curled up under the blanket.

If only there hadn't been that data leak case five years ago.

Back then, Tristan would still carry me on his back for ten miles to buy good food.

Now, he would just watch me drown.

I pulled out a tin box from under the bed.

That was my only luggage.

Inside was just one photograph.

A photo of me and Tristan's mother, Mrs. Shaw.

I touched the gentle woman in the photo. "I can't hold on much longer. In four more days, I'll come find you."

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Tristan pushed the door open.

He reeked of alcohol.

"Did Ethan touch you just now?"

He walked over, yanked off the blanket, and grabbed my wrist.

"Let go." I was too weak from the fever, my voice soft.

"Stop pretending to be pure."

Tristan threw me onto the bed. "Back then you could sell the company for money, now you can sell your body to climb up, right? Sophia, you truly disgust me."

He pulled out a stack of cash from his wallet and threw it at my face.

"Go buy some medicine. Don't die before the wedding. It's unlucky."

The bills scattered across the bed.

Tristan slammed the door and left.

I picked up one bill.

It was all stained with Tristan's insults.

I folded the bills one by one and placed them by my pillow.

I'd keep this money.

I'd need it to buy sleeping pills.