Chapter 4

A man with studs in his pierced earlobes teased, "It seems your outfit isn't just for show, huh?" "Oh? Scared I'll beat you?" Samantha retorted with a chuckle, her tone challenging. Another man stepped closer. He had well-defined facial features and exuded a mysterious air, though he also gave off an indifferent vibe that caused others to instinctively avoid him. "Ms. Norton, I heard you've been canceling scheduled appearances and terminating endorsement deals. Besides that, you've also refused several international invites. Are you planning to retire from the entertainment industry?" Raising a brow, Samantha didn't answer. She didn't recognize the man, but even though this was their first meeting, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. However, before she could ponder over it further, a couple of unwelcome people arrived. Raymond immediately noticed Samatha among the crowd of men, and his expression darkened. Beside him, Tiffany was hugging his arm, looking at ease with the intimate gesture as a gentle smile graced her lips. However, when she noticed Raymond's gaze locked onto Samantha, a malicious look appeared in her eyes. This was the first time Raymond learned of Samantha's ability to race. That obedient and submissive woman had transformed into a hot and sexy racer, causing a rare glint of amazement to shine in his eyes. For a moment, he was lost in a daze. "Ray?" Tiffany's sweet voice snapped him out of his wandering thoughts. At the same time, she stealthily shot a staff member nearby a meaningful look. That staff member immediately put on a cap and slowly made his way through the crowd, eventually getting close to the new sports car Samantha had bought. He had hidden several tools in his large jacket as he inched his way closer to the front of the car. Samantha put on her helmet and was just about to enter the track when Raymond stopped her. "You can't do something so dangerous." His tone booked no room for argument. Samantha paused briefly, then let out a scoff. "Oh, so now you remember that you're my agent?" Furrowing his brow, Raymond said, "Well, why did you have to butt in and try to steal that role?" Finally unable to stand it anymore, Samantha exploded in rage, "I tried to steal that role? I'm pretty sure a certain someone had long since planned to offer it up to Tiffany!" Samantha yanked off her helmet to reveal her burning gaze. It was as though a long-suppressed ember had been ignited. "Our contract will be ending soon, so you might as well leave all your resources for Tiffany!" She roughly shoved him toward the staging area, her voice drowned out by the generator. With that, Samantha once again made her way toward the racetrack. However, at that moment, a shrill scream rang through the air. In the next second, the loud roar of a car's engine cut through the silence, interspersed with the crowd's shouts of surprise. An out-of-control red car abruptly shot forward from the starting line and sped straight toward the staging area! "Samantha! Run!" A mysterious man, who had been standing in the crowd nearby, shouted at Samantha. Everything was happening so fast that Samantha didn't even have the chance to dodge. The wayward car was none other than the red sports car she had newly purchased. The test driver was behind the wheel as the vehicle flew toward her. In her panic, she spotted Raymond running toward Tiffany from the corner of her eye. He had been closest to her, yet he hadn't hesitated to go to Tiffany's rescue, yanking her to the side before hugging her protectively. Meanwhile, Samantha was at the corner near the audience. A cement wall blocked her back, while fences stood to her left and right. She had no escape. The thunderous roar of the engine grew louder as the car charged straight at her. Overwhelmed by panic, Samantha was at a loss for what to do. At that critical moment, a figure lunged toward her. An arm wrapped around her waist securely before she was abruptly pulled to the side, and the out-of-control car brushed by her with only inches to spare. Then, she tumbled underneath the viewing platform along with her savior. As they slammed into the ground, Samantha felt a sharp pain coming from her left shoulder. Following that, a man's low voice reached her ears. "Don't be scared. I'm here." Feeling dazed, she lifted her head to get a closer look at the man's face. However, in the next second, her car exploded behind her, belching thick smoke and sending flames roaring high into the sky. After that, she was swallowed by darkness. Before falling unconscious, she spotted the red mark on the man's collarbone. A memory of that night seven years ago, when she had been passionately entangled with a man at the hotel, surfaced in her mind. That man seemed to have had a red mark at the same spot. … Agony ripped through Samantha as she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing that greeted her was the almost blinding white of the ceiling, followed by a searing pain coming from her left shoulder. With much difficulty, she turned her head away. Her throat was parched, and she wanted some water. However, she then heard a familiar theatrical crying. "It's all my fault! I shouldn't have pestered you into going to the racetrack. If it weren't for you saving me, Sammy wouldn't have gotten so badly hurt. She probably won't be able to star in any action films again…" It was Tiffany. Samantha's heart sank. She forced herself to sit up, but the sight that she saw made her feel like she had taken another heavy blow to her already aching head. Raymond was cradling Tiffany in his arms, his expression infinitely gentle as he comforted her. He was treating her like the most precious treasure in the world. Gently patting her back, he cooed in a voice filled with distress, "Don't cry. Even if we hadn't gone there, Samantha would've still gotten in an accident. She has only herself to blame for getting hurt." "Ray…" Tiffany sniffled and raised her head, revealing her teary eyes. She asked pitifully, "Why… did you risk your life to save me?" Raymond tenderly wiped away the tears on her cheeks. When he answered, his voice was firm but gentle. "Tiffany, you should know that I love–" A porcelain vase smashed into the wall beside the ward door, shattering into countless pieces that clattered to the floor, effectively cutting off the words Raymond had been about to say. On the bed, Samantha's complexion was deathly pale, yet her gaze was as sharp as knives. "Stop embarrassing yourselves and get the hell out! A hospital isn't the place for you two to go into heat like animals!" Raymond's expression swiftly darkened, even as Tiffany's eyes reddened, as though she had suffered the most horrible injustice in the world. "Sammy, please don't be mad… If you had died, the Norton family would surely have blamed me for it… I'm so scared. I-I didn't think you would… would get hurt…" "As if you would be so kind-hearted! You're obviously not afraid of me dying," Samantha sneered with a cold laugh. Her voice was hoarse but still harsh. "With your lousy acting skills, you still dare to put on a show before me?" Tiffany couldn't maintain her act any longer. With a low sob, she rushed out of the room, deliberately bumping into Raymond's arm on her way out. The instant the door shut, the distress on Raymond's face vanished, replaced by a grim look. "Your injury is a result of your own impulsive actions, yet you still dare to vent your anger on someone innocent? Serves you right for wrecking your left shoulder! This is your karma!" For a long while, Samantha merely stared at him. Then, she turned to stare out the window emotionlessly. "You'd better pray that she's truly innocent in this matter, because if I find out the accident was orchestrated… I definitely won't let the bitch who harmed me off the hook." Silence descended upon the room. A few seconds later, Raymond let out a snort and turned to leave. The next four days, the reporters persistently surrounded the hospital, wanting to be the first to get the scoop on Samantha getting injured in a car accident. Raymond portrayed himself as her "protector," standing guard outside her room day and night to prevent the reporters from getting in. He truly was working hard to maintain his image as a responsible and elite agent. Nevertheless, Samantha completely ignored him. After those four days, Samantha rejected the hospital's suggestion to extend her stay and stealthily discharged herself from the hospital. She then returned to her private apartment, one that was under her own name. The result of the investigation into her car had arrived. When Samantha saw that the brakes had been tampered with, she ignored the pain of her injury and stormed into the topmost-level office at the company with her bodyguard. Against the backdrop of an inky night sky, the high-rise building located in the middle of Huxville's city center appeared particularly opulent. Once upon a time, the highest floor belonged to her, but now, it had become Tiffany's private studio.