Chapter 2

Claire's POV

A deathly silence.

My hand holding the wine glass froze mid-air, my knuckles bone-white.

Shame surged over me like a tidal wave, nearly drowning me.

All around were eyes watching the spectacle.

I knew he was taking revenge.

Revenge for my gold-digging ways back then, revenge for how deeply and cruelly I'd stabbed him.

"Mr. Barrett, you must be joking."

I took a deep breath and forced out a professional smile. "The customer is king. As long as you're happy, I'm worthy of anything."

With that, I tilted my head back and drained the glass of liquor in one go.

The burning liquid scorched down my throat, making my eyes water.

I set down the empty glass, turning it upside down to show it was finished. "Mr. Barrett, satisfied?"

Damien stared at my reddened eyes, his pupils darkening several shades.

He said nothing, only casually splashing the untouched red wine in front of him onto the floor.

The deep red liquid splattered on my heels and ankles.

Cold. Sticky.

"It's dirty." He said flatly. "Get someone clean to pour instead."

This was naked humiliation.

I felt all the blood drain from my face in an instant.

But I couldn't leave.

The contract wasn't signed yet. I hadn't gotten my commission.

"Damien, that's too far."

A gentle voice suddenly cut in.

Ashton Reid, who'd been sitting quietly in the corner, stood up and walked past everyone to my side.

He took off his suit jacket and draped it over my slightly trembling shoulders, blocking those ill-intentioned gazes.

"Miss Davis is my guest. It's fine to have her help warm up the room, but there's no need to humiliate her like this."

Ashton was my boss, and the only person in these four years who'd known my background but never mocked me for it.

Damien narrowed his eyes, his gaze landing on Ashton's hand resting on my shoulder.

In that instant, the temperature in the room seemed to drop to freezing.

"Ashton," Damien sneered, "since when did you start picking through garbage for companionship?"

Ashton's expression changed. "Damien!"

"Isn't it true?"

Damien stood up, his tall figure looming over us with overwhelming pressure.

He walked up to me, looking down from his height, his eyes full of disgust.

"A woman who'd sell herself for money at any time. She might be a treasure in your eyes, but to me, she's worse than garbage."

With that, he didn't spare me another glance and strode out of the room.

In that moment, I heard the sound of my heart breaking.

Not because I still loved him.

But because even after four years, facing his humiliation still hurt.