Chapter 5

Scarlett's POV

Even as the security guards hovered around me, my eyes remained fixed on the shattered glass urn on the floor.

On a freezing winter night five years ago, I had knelt on this exact same cold marble floor, banging my head until it bled, begging Julian to spare Lucky.

But all I got in return was Lucky's cold corpse and a storm that almost claimed my life.

Now, the same lights shone down on the same floor.

I slowly raised my head. There was no warmth left in my eyes, only bone-chilling hatred.

"Scarlett!"

Though Julian had managed to dodge the knife in his panic, causing it to miss his vital organs and only slice his side, the gushing blood quickly stained his white shirt.

The immense pain, coupled with the humiliation of being stabbed in front of everyone, made Julian lose his mind completely.

He shoved the guards aside, lunged forward, and wrapped his right hand tightly around my throat!

"How dare you stab me!"

Julian's eyes were bloodshot. His grip tightened, squeezing the air out of my lungs. My face flushed a dangerous red.

Seeing me pinned down, Chloe walked over with a fresh glass of red wine. With a flick of her wrist, she splashed the cold liquid right into my face.

The wine mixed with the cold sweat on my forehead. Chloe laughed sneerily. "Maybe this will wake you and your dead dog up!"

I was being choked, soaked in sticky wine, the chill making me shiver.

But I stared straight into Julian's monstrous face. Suddenly, gathering every bit of strength left in me, I spat a mouthful of bloody saliva right into his face!

"Disgusting," I choked out, laughing weakly.

Julian froze. Pure disgust and disbelief made him instinctively let go of my neck.

Just as he raised his left hand in a fury, aiming to slap me to death, a long, powerful hand grabbed his wrist.

The grip was so strong that it pulled on Julian's stab wound. He gasped in pain.

"Mr. Vance, putting your hands on my guest... who do you think I am?"

Dominic's deep, cold voice echoed through the silent ballroom.

He had walked up to me without anyone noticing, his tall, imposing frame standing like an impenetrable wall, shielding me completely.

The sheer power of a true billionaire magnate made the security guards freeze, not daring to move an inch.

From behind Dominic, I watched Julian grit his teeth, glaring at him. "Mr. Pierce! This is a private matter between me and my ex-wife! Are you really going to interfere in Vance family business for this psycho?"

"A private matter?"

Dominic let out a cold laugh. He tossed Julian's hand aside, sending Julian stumbling back a few steps.

"The moment she walked in here with my invitation, she became my most honored guest."

Dominic looked down at Julian, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "If the Vance family still wants that investment next year, you better watch your mouth, Mr. Vance."

Julian's face turned whiter than paper.

He looked at Dominic, then at my pale face. His jaw clenched so hard it looked like it would crack.

I could tell he was calculating.

The investment next year was the Vance family's lifeline. He couldn't afford to lose it over a petty grudge.

But being stabbed in public was a pill he couldn't swallow either.

Julian clutched his bleeding wound and lowered his voice, snarling, "She stabbed me. Everyone here saw it! Before the cops get here, she needs to be locked in the holding room. That's standard protocol, isn't it?"

Dominic tilted his head slightly, looking back at me.

I gently tugged at his coat, giving him a reassuring look.

Now wasn't the time to completely tear things apart with the Vance family.

Dominic pulled his gaze back and said calmly, "Fine. But my men will guard the door. Any objections, Mr. Vance?"

Julian squeezed a single word through his teeth. "Fine."

He waved his hand, and the security guards stepped up.

Expressionless, I followed the guards toward the private holding room at the end of the hallway.