Chapter 8

A piercing ringing filled Zoe's ears, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"Stop!"

Sebastian's roar did nothing to restrain her attackers. Their punches only grew harder, leaving her to curl up and shield herself as best she could. When the bodyguards moved in to restrain them, he seized the elderly ringleader by the throat and hurled him away, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

Zoe spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor. The bruises covering her body were painful to look at, and Sebastian stripped off his suit jacket to wrap around her before gathering her close.

"Give them the same beating they gave her, then throw them out. Everyone on security tonight will answer for this."

His face was set in icy fury, his glare savage enough to suggest he would tear them apart.

An elderly woman helped the man he'd thrown aside to his feet. Hearing Sebastian's order, they both dropped to their knees, wailing.

"Dear God! Zoe Harper drove drunk and killed our son, yet after five years in prison, here she is in a beautiful gown at a party like this! We can barely afford to eat. All we do is hold our boy's picture and cry. If these neighbors hadn't helped us, we'd probably have followed him to the grave!"

Only then did Zoe recognize the couple as the parents of the man killed in the crash.

"I paid three and a half million in compensation back then. How can you not have enough to eat?"

The old man faltered before raising his voice even louder.

"Did you hear that? How can she say such a thing? Fine, we'll give you the money back. Can you give me back my only child?"

His words drew sympathy from the onlookers, whose contempt for Zoe only deepened.

"Does she think paying them makes up for what she did? What are those two supposed to do now their son's gone?"

"What a heartless woman. Doesn't she worry his ghost will come for her one night?"

Zoe bit down hard on her lower lip. Every accusation pierced her heart.

"Enough! Shut up!"

"Sebastian, having two elderly people kneeling out here at this hour looks terrible. If word gets out, people will think Lawson Group is bullying them."

Yvonne stepped out of a car, her pregnant belly prominent. Sebastian's fury abruptly stalled. He quickly withdrew his arm from Zoe's waist and reached out to support Yvonne instead.

"It's hard for you to get around. Why did you come, Yvonne?"

"The baby missed Daddy, so we came to pick you up."

Watching their affection tore at Zoe's heart. Yvonne glanced at her and the attackers, seemingly without any particular interest, but Zoe caught the malice and contempt that flashed through her eyes. Her heart tightened, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Yvonne had brought these people here.

"If what happened today gets out, it could affect Lawson Group too. What are you going to do about Ms. Harper?"

Sebastian's expression darkened. For a moment, conflict showed in his eyes as he looked at Zoe.

"Zoe Harper, there's no place for a murderer at Lawson Group. You're... fired."

Everyone waited for her to beg. She trembled from head to toe but said nothing. Hearing Sebastian call her a murderer felt like being slowly carved apart.

"Sebastian, you know better than I do who really killed—"

"You bitch! You'll pay for my son's life! What are you all standing around for?"

At the old man's furious shout, the younger attackers broke free of the bodyguards. Before Zoe could finish, they seized her by the hair and dragged her toward the nearby pool.

She'd been held underwater countless times in prison. At the sight of the cold gleam on the pool's surface, the terror of almost dying came crawling back.

"No... Please, no... Whatever you want, I'll give it to you..."

"We don't want anything! You took a life. You owe a life. Throw her in!"

Her struggles were useless. They flung her into the pool, water flooding her nose and mouth. She fought to reach the surface and climb out, but hands pressed down hard on her head. The air in her lungs was running out, her strength failing. People crowded around the pool, yet no one would help.

Sebastian clenched his hands, unable to hide his anguish and guilt.

"Stop! You—"

"Sebastian, we can't let Lawson Group's name be dragged through the mud. You've worked so hard to get where you are. Ms. Harper wouldn't want you implicated either."

His raised hand slowly dropped. Yvonne was right. Lawson Group couldn't afford to be associated with murder.

"Leave two bodyguards here to keep an eye on things. Let's go home."

Zoe had no strength left to fight. Helplessly, she sank to the bottom of the pool, and before her awareness faded, she saw Sebastian take Yvonne's hand and turn away without hesitation.

Her lungs felt ready to burst as the last of her hope died. Maybe it would be better if she died this time. Whatever came after this life, she never wanted to meet Sebastian again.

...

Her eyes flew open as she retched up a large mouthful of water. The victim's family was gone. Only one bodyguard remained, brushing at his wet clothes in disgust.

"We've had enough commotion for one night. You're awake now, so get yourself home."

He walked away without another glance at her. Remembering how Sebastian had stood by and watched, Zoe felt her eyes sting.

She got to her feet and went to a clothing store in her soaking clothes. Under the staff's curious stares, she picked out an outfit without much thought, paid for it, and changed. The expensive gown went into a trash can.

Instead of going home, she headed straight for the airport.

As she took her seat on the plane, another message arrived from Sebastian.

[Zo, I know you were treated unfairly today. I'll make it up to you when I get back.]

With a bitter smile, she blocked him everywhere and snapped her SIM card in two.

Sebastian, we'll never see each other again.