Chapter 8

In the days that followed, Emily finally understood just how far Andrew would go to dote on another person. When Lucy said she wanted a very specific brand of cherry pudding that wasn't sold locally, Andrew bought out an international flight just to have it imported overnight. When Lucy said she was afraid of the dark and couldn't sleep at night, he dropped all of his work and spent the entire night holding her in his arms to coax her to bed. And when she declared in the middle of the night that she wanted to watch a meteor shower, he flew her in his private jet to a mountaintop with the best view. Even the staff discussed this in private. "Mr. Stone really dotes on Ms. Evans like nobody's business." "Yeah. I've never seen him like this before. It's like he's a completely different man." "Guess this is the one he truly loves. As for the previous one… what a shame…" Emily heard every word. Each sentence cut through her like glass, but she didn't say a thing. All she could do was hide in her private art studio. It was her only sanctuary in the entire villa. One day, Lucy wandered into the art studio and took a fancy to an oil painting hanging on the wall. "That's a pretty painting. I want it in my room," she said matter-of-factly while pointing at it. Emily immediately refused her, "You can't have it. That's the final piece my mentor did before his passing." Pouting, Lucy whined, "Oh, just give it to me! I really like it." "I said no," Emily firmly replied. "I'm not Andrew. I won't give in just because you pout at me. I won't give this painting to anyone." After seeing how Emily couldn't be convinced, Lucy became displeased. "How about I pay you for it? That should suffice, no? Name your price!" "I'm not selling it. Please get out," Emily replied with an icy expression before turning to leave the art studio. Angered, Lucy grabbed her and screeched, "What makes you think you can say no to me!" Emily instinctively shook Lucy's hand off, but Lucy lost her balance and let out a yelp before crumpling onto the floor. Her forehead hit the sharp edge of the easel, instantly drawing blood. "Ouch! It hurts!" The door flew open, and Andrew rushed in after having heard the commotion. After taking in the situation, his expression turned as dark as night when he saw the bleeding Lucy sobbing on the floor with Emily standing on the side. He went straight to Lucy and lifted her up, asking anxiously, "What happened, Lulu?" Tears streamed down Lucy's face as she pointed at Emily, wailing, "Andrew! Didn't you say I could have anything in this room? I like that painting, but not only did she refuse to give it to me, she even pushed me! Look at my forehead! It hurts so much… You have to get even for me!" "I didn't push her!" Emily protested. "She's the one who lost her balance—" "Shut up!" Andrew snapped, cutting Emily off, his gaze icy cold. "Have I been too tolerant with you, Emily?" Turning to his bodyguards, he commanded, "Bring me that painting." "No!" Emily flew over to protect the painting, but one of the bodyguards easily shoved her aside. Two of them yanked the painting right off the wall, but Emily grabbed the corner of the frame and refused to let go. "Please, I'm begging you! Don't do it! This is the last of my mentor's pieces that—" Amid the struggling, the canvas ended up ripping right down the center, creating a massive gap. Staring at the now-ruined painting, Emily crumpled to the floor, all of her energy drained. Her gaze turned hollow. It was as if her world had collapsed around her. Even Lucy was briefly startled before she started sobbing even louder. "My painting! That beautiful painting… It's destroyed now…" Her tears immediately made Andrew's heart ache as he tried to appease her, "Don't cry, Lulu. It's just a painting. I'll go to an auction tomorrow and buy you an even better and more expensive one, okay?" "I don't want another painting! I want that one—that exact same one!" Lucy insisted before pointing at the shaken Emily. "She ruined it! Since she ruined my painting, she should pay for it! I want to draw the exact painting on her back!" Emily's head snapped up, and she stared at Lucy in disbelief. Andrew frowned, but after seeing Lucy's reddened eyes, he gave in. "Fine. Whatever you say." "Andrew! Have you lost your mind!" Emily screamed as she tried to flee, but the bodyguards pressed her down. To her horror, Lucy instructed the staff to bring her a long silver needle to act as her "brush". As for the paint? It was a red concoction of water and chili powder. "No! Don't! You can't do this to me, Andrew!" Emily cried out in despair. But Andrew simply eyed her coldly as he commanded his bodyguards, "Hold her down so that Lulu can make the painting." The cold needle pierced right through her skin, spreading the burning sensation from the chili water as it carved all over her back. Even as the pain racked through her body, making her scream in agony, Lucy happily drew away, as if creating a masterpiece. "See? This is what happens when you refuse me!" Lucy said. After finishing her final stroke, she stared at the horrifying "painting" on Emily's bloodied back in smug delight. Through it all, Andrew never once bothered to look at Emily. He simply hugged Lucy and asked dotingly, "Do you feel better now?" "Yeah, loads better!" Lucy replied sweetly as she nestled into his arms. Lowering his head, he kissed her head before asking suggestively, "Then, isn't it time for me to feel good as well?" He scooped Lucy right off her feet and, ignoring the barely conscious Emily, headed straight to the bedroom upstairs. Emily could vaguely hear Lucy giggle as Andrew said in a husky voice filled with his desire, a voice she'd never heard before, "You're so good, babe…"