Chapter 4

As the city lights began to glow, the Vance family's luxury yacht docked at the harbor.

When I stepped into the grand ballroom wearing my black tuxedo and three-inch stiletto heels, the noisy chatter instantly died down.

Then, a wave of hushed whispers washed over the room.

"Is that the girl the Summers found from the slums? Why is she dressed like a bodyguard?"

"Look at those shoulders. If she walks any closer, I'm afraid she'll decapitate me with one punch."

"Hilarious. No wonder they're giving her to Damian. She looks like she can actually survive a beating."

I didn't even blink at the mocking whispers of the high-society girls.

Richard and Eleanor felt completely humiliated and walked far ahead, keeping their distance from me.

Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious voice broke the peace.

"Well, well, if it isn't the adopted Summer girl. You look pretty cute tonight. Come on, let's go to the deck and have a drink!"

A young man in a loud designer shirt, reeking of alcohol, stumbled over. He grabbed Chloe by the wrist, his greasy eyes scanning her up and down.

Chloe paled, trying desperately to pull away.

"What are you doing? Let go of me! Dad! Julian! Help me!"

She looked at her family in despair.

However, Richard didn't move. In fact, he grabbed Julian to keep him from stepping in. He even bowed slightly toward the drunk man.

"It is Chloe's honor that you fancy her, Mr. Vance! Chloe, be good, go have a drink with him!"

I frowned.

So this piece of trash was Chad Vance, a distant cousin of the Vance family who used his family's name to terrorize the city.

Tears streamed down Chloe's face as she cried out in despair, her eyes frantically searching the crowd for help. Finally, her gaze landed on me.

My eyes darkened. Just as I was about to step forward, Chad let go of Chloe and stumbled toward me.

He looked me up and down with a disgusting smirk.

"Ah, I know you. You're the scapegoat the Summers brought in to marry Damian, right? Damn, you look pretty tough. Damian's going to have a lot of fun breaking you tonight."

Grinning drunkenly, he reached out his hand, trying to slap my cheek playfully.

"I heard you're good at taking hits. Since you're going to be our family's punching bag anyway, why don't you let me test the goods first?"

The crowd erupted into laughter. Not a single person stepped forward to stop him.

"Roxy! Stand still!"

Richard hissed, whispering a venomous warning into my ear.

"Do not offend a Vance! Even if he slaps you today, you will smile and take it! Think about your father's gym!"

The man's hand, smelling of stale alcohol, was now less than two inches from my face.

I looked down at the sharp, needle-like heels of my stilettos.

Suddenly, Marcus's voice echoed in my mind, back when he used to tap my shoulders with a ruler in the gym.

"Roxy, as fighters, we must have honor. We don't start fights, and we don't bully the weak."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

I will give you exactly three more seconds of my patience.