Chapter 4

Two days later, Chantelle's design won an excellence award. Hendrick threw a grand celebration party just for her. Under the crystal chandeliers, he stayed by her side the whole time, blocking drinks for her, smoothing her dress, and being unbelievably gentle and attentive. The guests whispered among themselves, saying how Hendrick treated Chantelle like a queen while acting coldly to his wife, Savannah. If the latter hadn't begged to save their marriage every time, it would've ended long ago. Savannah stood in the corner, swirling her champagne glass and turning a deaf ear to the gossips. Halfway through the party, she headed near the man-made lake outside for some fresh air. The cool night breeze carried away the lingering scent of alcohol. "What's wrong? Are you finally cracking?" Chantelle's smug, victorious voice came from behind. She clicked her heels and arrived beside Savannah, lips curling into a sarcastic smile. "If I were you, I would've packed my bags and left to save myself from the humiliation long ago." Savannah barely glanced in her direction. "Go away." "What, you're acting all high and mighty now? You'd pursued Ricky for four years and been married to him for three, yet you still can't get him to look your way. Pathetic." She sneered, continuing, "Believe me, even if I pushed you into the lake right now, he wouldn't bat an eye." Savannah was suddenly slammed by a strong force. She fell into the lake with a loud splash, and the cold water instantly entered her mouth and nose. She struggled to scream, only to swallow more water in the process. Amid her haze, she saw a figure charging wildly toward her and diving into the lake without hesitation. "Sav!" Hendrick screamed frantically like never before as he swam furiously to her. He wrapped his arm tightly around her, and in her daze, she caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were filled with such raw fear and urgency that, for a moment, she felt stunned. Standing on the shore, Chantelle was completely frozen, unable to believe what she was seeing. The man who was always cold and distant toward Savannah was now diving into the lake like a madman. The way he held her felt like he was protecting a precious treasure he had just recovered. No, this couldn't be right. She had to be mistaken! After being pulled ashore, Hendrick knelt and performed CPR on Savannah. His long fingers were visibly trembling. Only when Savannah coughed up a few mouthfuls of water did he finally exhale in relief. Yet, the next moment, his expression suddenly stiffened, as if something had dawned upon him. He stood up, hiding all emotion, and slipped back into his usual distant demeanor. "You managed to fall even at a party?" Savannah, soaked and sitting on the ground, clenched her wet dress tightly in her fingers. However, she spoke with surprising clarity. "I didn't fall. Chantelle pushed me." Immediately, Chantelle's eyes reddened. She eagerly shook her head and denied, "I didn't, Savannah! Why would you frame me like that?" "Fine." Savannah scoffed, fishing out her phone with a trembling hand. "Since you're not about to admit it, I'll let the cops do their job. Attempted murder? You're really asking for it." Her finger was just about to press the dial button when Hendrick clasped her wrist. "Enough," he said, his grip on her arm almost crushing her bones. "Elle didn't mean it, so stop blowing things out of proportion." Savannah was in utter disbelief. She furiously shook her head and exclaimed, "She almost got me killed!" "But you're breathing and talking now, aren't you?" He narrowed his eyes, warning, "Quit it now." What an absurd situation. She understood that he needed to use Chantelle to provoke her, but did he have to risk her life for his stupid game, too? "Quit what?" she retorted strongly, determined to dial 999. "I'm calling the police." "I said, enough!" Hendrick snapped, snatching her phone away. "If you can't get any sense into your head, go home and reflect." With that, he beckoned the bodyguards over. "Bring her to the confinement room. Do not release her until she's figured things out." Savannah struggled violently as the bodyguards dragged her toward the confinement room. She yelled hoarsely, "Hendrick, are you crazy? She was trying to kill me! You know that!" Her nails raked bloody scratches down the bodyguards' arms, and her high heels fell off during the struggle. However, their grip was too strong. She resembled a butterfly with its wings crushed, flapping helplessly. When the heavy door slammed shut behind her, Savannah's pupils contracted sharply. The tiny room, barely six feet by six feet, had no windows. Darkness overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, swallowing her whole. "Let me out," she begged with a trembling voice. The panic of claustrophobia gripped her throat like an invisible hand. Then, she recalled how her stepmother had locked her in the basement for three days and nights when she was only ten. That crushing feeling of being abandoned by the whole world washed over her again, as strong as ever after all these years. Curled up in the corner, Savannah dug her nails deep into her palms. In the darkness, she heard the scurrying of rats and bit her lip hard to keep from making a sound. Time blurred—maybe it had been an hour, maybe a whole day. She refused to eat any of the food that was brought to her, and the water cup was knocked over on the floor. Her throat felt like it was on fire from thirst, but the mental torture broke her far more than the physical pain. The next day, the door finally opened. The bright light flooding in blinded Savannah, and she instinctively squeezed her eyes shut. "Still calling the cops?" Hendrick asked, his voice ringing from above. She weakly lifted her head and saw him standing against the light. After a day apart, he was still impeccably dressed in his suit, every cuff perfectly in place. Meanwhile, there she was, disheveled and battered like a madwoman. She broke into laughter, but tears started streaming down her face. "No," she uttered softly, defenseless. "I won't do anything anymore." Instead, she simply wanted freedom—to be far away from Chantelle, from Hendrick, and from this cage that was slowly devouring her. Hendrick frowned at her unusual reaction, and an inexplicable unease rose. Soon, though, he regained his usual aloofness. "Remember what you said." With that, he turned away, perfectly missing the look of determination in Savannah's eyes.