Chapter 5

Before Zoe could react, Vera stormed over with the guards in tow, shouting, "Frisk her!" Zoe staggered back in panic. "I didn't steal anything…" But the guards had grabbed her roughly and stripped her of her outer garments right in front of the crowd. "I found it!" Vera triumphantly announced as she held up the blue diamond necklace. Then, she backhanded Zoe again, and blood seeped from the corner of the latter's mouth. "You didn't learn your lesson, huh?" Zoe's vision went dark, but she still managed to choke out, insisting, "I didn't steal it. There are surveillance cameras, so you can check—" Another slap cut her off. Vera turned to Alder and viciously said, "Alder, she clearly hasn't given up on you. First, she scalded Elara on purpose, and now she's stealing her necklace. I think it's time she understands her place! "I just saw a beggar outside the hotel. Why not let them spend the night together?" There was a cruel sneer on her lips as she suggested the idea. Zoe froze. In the next second, she heard Alder reply with a soft hum of approval, and the disgust in his eyes was utterly obvious. It felt like lightning splitting her open. In a panic, she lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve. "I didn't steal it! I don't have feelings for you anymore! Alder, just check the surveillance footage! I—" "Take her away!" Vera shouted as her expression fell. The guards ruthlessly yanked Zoe's hair and dragged her away. Still, she clung desperately to Alder's sleeve and refused to let go. Her fingertips were almost pale from the force. But he pried her fingers off, one by one. That chilling sensation spread from her fingertips all the way to her heart. When he peeled off the last finger, she heard him say, "Disgusting." Zoe bit down hard on her lip as her tears fell uncontrollably. Memories of when he loved and cared for her so preciously, and when even a tiny scratch on her would worry him for days, came crashing into her mind. One year ago, when she had a dangerously high fever, he rushed home from abroad and stayed by her bed, guarding her for three days without rest. Half a year ago, when a rich kid hit on her at a banquet, the man's family business went bankrupt the next day. Three months ago, when she mentioned craving a cake from Westmire late at night, he drove there and got into a car accident on the way back. Over the past year, he'd demanded her countless times insatiably and obsessively, as if he'd gotten addicted to her. And now, he handed her over to a filthy beggar under the ballroom's glittering crystal chandeliers. Plus, he even took a napkin and slowly wiped his fingers, as if her touch had defiled him. The guards threw her into a dimly lit guest room and locked the door behind her. She was left to curl up in a corner with the wounds on her back burning like fire. Before long, the door creaked open, and a man reeking of filth walked in. His clothes were in tatters, and his matted hair was clumpy. Flashing a mouthful of yellow teeth, his eyes gleamed with vile anticipation as he rubbed his hands and lunged at her. "Hey, gorgeous…" Zoe screamed and dodged before grabbing a table lamp to smash it into him. He howled in pain, murmured a curse, and slapped her across the face. "You bitch! Try disobeying me again! Ms. Holt said I can do whatever I want tonight…" He pinned her to the bed as his filthy hands started tearing her collar. Kicking and thrashing, Zoe sobbed and clawed at his face until her nails drew blood. But he bound her wrists with his belt. Just as he was about to succeed, Zoe's hand found the case on the nightstand. She smashed it over his head, and the man slumped to the floor with a grunt. After breaking free from the belt, she fled the room and stumbled through the empty hallway barefoot. She ran desperately, terrified that he would catch up. In a panic, she pushed open a slightly ajar door and slipped inside. In the pitch-black room, she held her breath and crouched in a corner. She was finally safe now. But just as she was about to let out a sigh of relief, the bathroom door opened. "Who's there?" Alder's low, drunken voice rang out in the darkness.