When I finally came to, I was lying under a soft, warm light in a room painted pink.

The pillow beneath my head was plush and scented with a subtle, comforting fragrance.

A graceful figure moved quietly nearby. Her attention was fixed on something.

All of a sudden, she turned around. "You're awake?"

Her voice was filled with surprise and relief. She hurried over, holding a steaming cup of milk.

"Sit up and drink this. I'm so glad you're alright."

Her familiar face sparked a rush of memories.

"Sophia?"

I couldn't believe it. Back then, Sophia Hartwell wore braces and kept to herself. She was the quiet girl tucked away in the corner, barely noticed by anyone.

But the Sophia standing before me now was graceful and radiant.

Her delicate features and gentle eyes revealed a completely different story.

She chuckled softly. "Yeah, it's me."

"Drink this first," she continued, nodding 

"Max! Where the hell did you disappear to last night?"

Camille's voice rang out across the office, instantly drawing everyone's attention to me.

I hadn't anticipated that she would arrive this early.

"I passed out last night," I said.

Camille wasn't convinced. "Passed out?"

She scoffed. "I bet you ran off because you couldn't handle the pressure!"

I stepped back, discomfort creeping in as all eyes bore down on me.

"I passed out in the restroom. I didn't run away."

"Then where the hell did you go? Why didn't you come back once you woke up?"

Camille closed the distance between us. Her expression was cold and unyielding.

No one in the office had a clue what was really going on. They just exchanged hushed whispers, like bystanders watching a scene play out.

"Ms. Layton, maybe we should keep personal matters out of the workplace," I said.

"Personal? Who said anything between us is

Kenneth spoke with a hint of flattery, but Camille just rolled her eyes.

"Me managing Max? I wouldn't even consider hiring him.

"He's nothing but a pathetic leech."

Her words made the whole room gasp.

Maybe none of them had truly realized how little standing I really had in the Layton family.

Kenneth looked me up and down. "Yeah, he's a total parasite. Judging by how much he clings to your family, I'm guessing he's got a thing for you."

As soon as he said it, the room exploded into chaos.

"That makes sense. Otherwise, why else would our former campus heartthrob stoop this low?"

"If you ask me, he's just another poor kid hoping to strike it rich by marrying into money."

"Haha, 'marrying into money.' Now, that's the perfect way to put it!"

The room exploded with laughter, all eyes dripping with contempt as they stared at me.

It was like tearing me down gave them some sick sense of satisfaction.

I was used to these looks by now, but being sized up like this by my old classmates still made me uneasy.

"Ms. Layton, if there's nothing else, I'll wait for you outside," I said, bowing my head slightly. My voice was humble and deferential.

"Who said you're off the hook?" Camille snapped, shooting me a sharp glare. "Get your ass over here and drink up!"

Three glasses of potent liquor rested on the table.

They were imported spirits, known for their high alcohol content.

Even after all these years with Camille, I had never touched a drop of alcohol.

My tolerance was weak, but this time, Camille was relentless in forcing me to drink.

"Ms. Layton, you know my stomach can't handle this," I said, struggling to maintain my composure.

Laughter erupted around the room once more.

"Haha! Of course, he's got stomach issues. It's his go-to excuse."

"Yeah, having a weak stomach makes it way too easy to freeload, doesn't it?"

Out of nowhere, a familiar face stepped forward. It was Quentin Winslet, my old classmate from Blackthorne University.

We never got along back then.

Now that he was seeing me like this, he was clearly enjoying the moment.

"Since our campus prince here loves being a sugar baby, why not make it interesting?

"I'll pay ten grand for every shot he downs!"

With that, Quentin casually pulled a thick stack of bills from his wallet.

Under each glass of liquor lay ten thousand dollars.

The room erupted in applause. Everyone was dazzled by Quentin's flashy display of wealth.

"Drink up, Max," he said, his eyes fixed on me.

Kenneth's lips curled up in a cruel smile.

Camille's relentless gaze cut through me, her message unmistakable.

"I'll give you three seconds."

Her voice was cold and dripping with menace.

"Okay, I'll drink."

Without hesitation, I lifted the glass and emptied it in one swift gulp.

Tonight was a carefully planned night of disgrace, all thanks to Camille.

I felt completely broken, crushed beneath the weight of humiliation.

The liquor scorched my mouth, threatening to swallow me whole.

By the time I downed all three drinks, my stomach was twisting in agony. It was like a fire roaring out of control inside me.

"Well, well, not bad at all," Kenneth sneered. "That's three glasses of pure, undiluted liquor."

Quentin's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Camille, I have to admit, your lackey is unexpectedly obedient.

"Here, reward him with the money!"

My head was pounding when a thick wad of cash suddenly slapped against my cheek.

The impact hit like a punch, sending me crashing to the floor.

"Get up."

Camille's voice rang out. It was cold and commanding.

"Okay."

I clutched my face, but the dizziness only grew stronger.

The floor beneath me seemed to ripple and shift. It felt as if I were walking on clouds.

"Excuse me… I need to use the restroom."

I dragged myself up and stumbled toward the door, barely keeping my balance.

I shoved it open, feeling like I was finally breaking free.

But Camille's stern voice stopped me cold. "Who said you're allowed to leave?"

I didn't answer. If I stayed even a moment longer, I knew I'd throw up right there in front of everyone.

The burning in my stomach grew unbearable. I stumbled toward the restroom, desperately clinging to consciousness.

Finally, I reached the sink and bent over.

I dry heaved violently, but nothing came up.

Dizzy and disoriented, my knees gave out, and I crumpled to the floor.

The lights above melted into a gray, hazy halo as my vision slipped away.

"Max?"

A startled female voice pierced through the haze.

I didn't recognize it, but in the chaos, it was oddly comforting.

Just before everything went black, I saw a delicate, beautiful face leaning close.

It seemed familiar… but I couldn't quite place her.

"Max!"

Her arms closed around me, and her voice trembled with panic.


When I finally came to, I was lying under a soft, warm light in a room painted pink.

The pillow beneath my head was plush and scented with a subtle, comforting fragrance.

A graceful figure moved quietly nearby. Her attention was fixed on something.

All of a sudden, she turned around. "You're awake?"

Her voice was filled with surprise and relief. She hurried over, holding a steaming cup of milk.

"Sit up and drink this. I'm so glad you're alright."

Her familiar face sparked a rush of memories.

"Sophia?"

I couldn't believe it. Back then, Sophia Hartwell wore braces and kept to herself. She was the quiet girl tucked away in the corner, barely noticed by anyone.

But the Sophia standing before me now was graceful and radiant.

Her delicate features and gentle eyes revealed a completely different story.

She chuckled softly. "Yeah, it's me."

"Drink this first," she continued, nodding gently.

As she raised the cup to my lips, I took a sip.

The warm milk was sweetened with honey.

"

Chapter 6