Chapter 7

By the time Zoe was dragged back to the Holt residence, she barely had the strength to stay on her feet. Before she could enter the door, Vera stepped in front of her with a sneer. "I heard from Elara that you tried seducing Alder again last night. Is that true?" She grabbed Zoe's chin and snarled. "You really are lucky. I drugged that beggar with a strong aphrodisiac, yet you still managed to escape him." Zoe looked up in exhaustion and said, "You knew I took the money and will be leaving the Holts soon. Why are you still going out of your way to target me?" "Why?" Vera burst out laughing, as if she'd heard the most ridiculous joke. "That's because I'll settle every score with you right before you leave!" She yanked Zoe's hair and continued, "If you think you can easily walk away, you're dreaming. I'll make sure you wish you were dead before you crawl out of this house!" She gestured to the boyguards and ordered, "Hold her down." The next second, Zoe's arms were twisted behind her back. Vera raised her hand high and slapped her hard across the face. The slaps continued raining down on Zoe. Her face was soon swelling as blood trickled from the corner of her lips. Just as darkness clouded her vision and she was on the verge of passing out, the sound of a car engine's roar came from a distance. Alder walked in with his arm wrapped around Elara's waist. "What's going on here?" he asked coldly. Vera froze, and her face paled. Opening her mouth, she scrambled for an excuse when Elara snuggled against Alder's arm and playfully said, "She must've done something wrong and needed some discipline. Alder, you were so rough last night… Didn't you say you'd give me a massage today?" The ever-stoic Alder softened and smiled dotingly. He leaned over to kiss her forehead and gently said, "I'll be gentler next time." Then, he cast a cold glance at the disheveled Zoe and coldly said, "If you're going to beat her up, do it somewhere else. Elara's taking a nap soon. She likes it to be peaceful and quiet, so don't disturb her." Vera's face lit up with joy. "Got it!" Soon, Zoe was dragged to the most secluded corner of the garden. With the guards holding her down, Vera continued raining slap after slap across her face. Zoe had lost count of the blows she'd suffered until darkness finally swallowed her whole. … The next day, Zoe jolted awake when a bucket of ice water was dumped over her head. "How long are you going to sleep? What, do you think Alder still treasures you like a gem? Get up! Elara is calling for you!" Vera's shrill voice pierced her eardrums. Zoe's whole body ached in exhaustion as she was yanked to her feet. Every movement she made pulled at her wounds. When she entered the living room, she noticed Elara curled up in Alder's lap. He was reading a financial report with one hand and feeding her grapes with the other, just like how he used to do for Zoe. Seeing that, Zoe's lashes quivered faintly. If Alder used to keep Elara at arm's length, he'd completely shed all his defenses and was showering her with all his love now. It seemed that a night's mistake had convinced him that Elara was the woman he loved. "Oh, you're here." Elara looked up with a bright smile. "Our wedding was supposed to be next month, but Alder insisted on moving it up. "We haven't selected the wedding gown and jewelry yet, so I need someone to pick it out and give me ideas. I asked Vera, but she's going on a trip. So, for the next few days, you'll come with me instead." Before Zoe could respond, Alder went along with Elara's words and spoke without looking up. "Stay with Elara these days." He paused, and his tone turned icy as he warned. "If anything goes wrong, you know what happens." With that, he closed his folder and pulled Elara into his arms. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" "Of course not! You've always been a workaholic, so why are you so clingy all of a sudden?" she pouted. Alder's lips curled into a faint smile. He suddenly leaned close and whispered something into her ear. Blushing, Elara pounded his chest lightly. "Enough! Go to work!" After seeing him off, she turned back to Zoe with a smug glance. "Let's go."