Chapter 4

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped, my voice rising in anger.

I quickly scrambled to pick up my phone, but no matter how many times I pressed the power button, the screen remained dead.

The guy who did it was standing over me, looking down like some righteous judge. "Apologize to her!"

"What?" I stared at him, thinking I had misheard.

"I said, apologize to Dorothy!" Mario demanded again.

I let out a sharp, hysterical laugh. I gathered my things from the floor and pushed myself up, standing tall.

"Mario, are you completely insane?" I hissed.

"If you have a mental issue, go see a doctor."

"Or are you just losing your mind with age?"

"You—!"

"It’s okay, Mario. Don't blame Victoria," Dorothy sobbed, putting on her classic fragile act. "It’s my fault. If I had known Victoria still hated me this much, I wouldn't have approached her."

"I’m sorry, Victoria."

"Are you still mad at me for marrying Mario?"

"But you were in prison back then, and the Johnson family desperately needed the alliance, so I had to..."

"And Mario and I already have—"

"Are you the bitch who’s bullying my mom?" a loud, arrogant voice interrupted.

Before I could even turn around, a sharp pain shot through my forehead. A heavy decorative stone had been thrown straight at my head.

Warm blood immediately started trickling down my face.

I gasped in pain, clutching my forehead. I looked up and saw an eighteen-year-old boy standing in front of me. He was tall, well-built, and had a nasty sneer on his face.

He stormed over and shoved me hard, stepping right in front of Dorothy.

"You trashy woman, are you trying to get with my dad? Is that why you're harassing my mom?" Jefferson yelled, clenching his fists.

The surrounding guests gasped and took a few steps back to stay out of the crossfire.

"Jefferson, stop it! Don't be rude," Dorothy said, though there was barely any weight to her voice.

Jefferson rolled his eyes.

"Mom, I’m trying to protect you! You’re way too soft. You never stand up for yourself."

"Women like her are so manipulative. Dad is rich and handsome, who knows what kind of dirty tricks she’s trying to play."

"And don't tell me to be polite. If my uncles find out this ex-con tried to hit on Dad, she’d be in a much worse state than this."

The three of them chatted away like I wasn't even there, completely ignoring the fact that I was bleeding on the floor.

To make matters worse, with my phone broken, I couldn't even call the police.

I had to ask for help.

But the guests around us only looked at me with disgust and avoided my gaze.

I couldn't even contact Mrs. Brown.

I dragged myself up and grabbed a nearby security guard’s arm. "Please, tell Mrs. Brown that Victoria Samuels is outside and needs—"

Before I could finish, the guard let out a mocking laugh.

"Who? You? You’re trying to tell me you have a business meeting with Mrs. Brown?"

"Who are you trying to fool? Get out of here. Leave before I throw you out myself."

The guard pointed toward the exit threateningly.

Mario and Dorothy, who knew exactly who I was, chose to remain completely silent.

I turned to walk toward the lobby desk to use their landline, but Mario blocked my path again.

"Victoria, if you just agree to license that patent to us, I’ll personally drive you to the hospital."

"And about your relationship with your brothers... Dorothy and I can help smooth things over. We can help you get back into the family."

Before I could even respond, Jefferson lunged forward again, shoving me back.

"You cheap bitch, trying to flirt with my dad right in front of my mom? Are you begging for a beating?"

The veins on my temples were throbbing.

I looked at Mario and Dorothy, who were still playing dumb.

"Are you two deaf and mute? Can't you control your own son?"

"If you won't teach him some manners, I will."

I found my footing, stepped forward, and slapped Jefferson across the face.

The loud, sharp *SMACK* echoed through the lobby.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Suddenly, Dorothy wasn't deaf or mute anymore. She shrieked and lunged forward, throwing her arms around Jefferson to protect him as if I were a wild animal.