Chapter 8

With the fear engulfing her, Anthea struggled with her might, clawing the man's face with her nails to the point that he was bleeding. "Bitch!" The man slapped Anthea so hard that her ears rang. Grabbing her shoulders, he wanted to take things further when she took the extinguisher and hit him in the head with it. As soon as he let her go due to the pain, she rushed out of the room, staggering along the way. … The guests were still chatting and joking away when Anthea returned to the deck, covered in injuries. Harlan and Beatrice were standing next to the champagne tower. Nobody knew what they said, but Beatrice covered her mouth and chuckled while her eyes twinkled. A loud slap silenced the entire room. Beatrice stumbled backward while cupping her face. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she uttered, "You—" "Thea!" Harlan grabbed Anthea's wrist and asked, "What are you doing?" She shook his hand off and replied in a trembling voice, "She hired a beggar to take advantage of me." Everyone gasped. Tears immediately streamed down Beatrice's face as she shouted, "I didn't! Ms. Murphy, I know you hate me, but you can't accuse me like this—" Anthea played the recording she had recorded on her phone earlier. "She paid me to sleep with you, saying that she wanted your reputation to be ruined," said the beggar in the recording. His wicked laugh could be heard clearly as well. Harlan's expression darkened. "Beatrice! I thought you were just materialistic. I didn't think you were so wicked! How has Thea offended you? Today is her birthday, and she's kind enough to invite you! I can't believe you did such a thing!" he growled. Beatrice dropped her act after Harlan scolded her. She burst out laughing, admitting, "Yes! I did that! I'm wicked! I'm vile! But that's because I love you, Harlan! I wanted her to be taken advantage of so that she would leave you. You should be mine. You loved me so much back then." "Who are you to talk about love? You disgust me." Harlan pushed her away. "I stopped loving you the moment you left me. The person I love right now is Thea. Hurry up and apologize to her!" "Apologize? Never! I would rather die instead!" she shouted. "Do it, then!" he growled. Beatrice was taken aback upon hearing that. Then, her eyes were filled with tears as she stared at him. Then, before anybody could make sense of what was happening, she started running at full speed. The sea breeze lifted her dress, making her look like a butterfly that was about to die. "I'll do as you wish, Harlan!" Beatrice let out a miserable laugh and jumped into the sea. "Beatrice!" Harlan's voice echoed through the night sky. In the next second, he jumped in after her without hesitation. … By the time Harlan carried the unconscious Beatrice, everyone on the cruise had gathered around them. "Quick! Get an ambulance!" "Mr. Jefferson is hurt!" In the middle of the chaos, nobody paid any attention to the star of the birthday party, Anthea. She was knocked to the ground by the crowd that was running around, and her palm was bleeding. Harlan did not even glance at her as he ran past her while carrying Beatrice. The sea breeze tousled Anthea's bangs, which were wet. She touched the blood on her hands, having no idea how she sustained them. Was it due to the earlier struggle? Or when she was knocked to the ground? As she watched the ambulance drive off into the distance, she suddenly laughed. Then, tears started to fall. Claiming that he didn't love Beatrice, Harlan said that he loved Anthea instead, but who would believe him?