Chapter 4

“Did you get it?” Victoria showed fear in her eyes, but inside she was smirking. In the past both of them had been fools. She had suffered because she feared Giselle. She had believed that if she behaved well, they might love her one day. Those thoughts had only made her weak.

Her aunt had told her the same thing back then. That the Harrigans were rich. They were her uncle’s bosses, and if Victoria caught their attention she could help the whole family. And just like that, she had given up on herself.

“Have you gone mute now? Forget it. I do not need your answer. Your face already said everything.” Giselle smirked and turned to leave, but Victoria’s lips curled into a dark smile.

“No.”

The single word stopped her.

Giselle turned and glared at Victoria, only to see her nervously playing with her revealing dress. “Aunt would be angry if I do not listen to her.”

Ha.

Giselle clenched her teeth. But even she feared her mother and could not argue against that.

“Since you dare to go against me, be ready for punishment at school tomorrow.” Giselle threatened loudly, afraid that her position might weaken. Then she stomped out of the room.

Victoria rolled her eyes before a slow grin appeared on her face. Anyone else might think Giselle had backed down because she feared her mother. But Victoria knew the truth. Giselle would never let go of power or wealth so easily. Her gaze shifted to the clock. Only ten minutes remained before nine. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the maids bringing glasses filled with alcohol.

“Let me help you.” She walked over and grabbed the tray from the maid’s hands. The maid was not ready for the sudden force and let go of it. At the same moment Victoria pulled her own hands away. The bottle crashed to the floor and shattered. Wine splashed everywhere, staining their clothes. A sharp shard struck her leg and blood began to flow.

Her aunt came running as soon as she heard the noise. She had changed into an elegant blue dress that matched her eyes and made her look younger. Her face turned red with anger the moment she saw the mess.

“What did I tell all of you? I want no mistakes tonight. If my husband does not get this promotion, I will fire every one of you and you...” she pointed at Victoria with a furious glare she could not hide anymore, “you will be thrown out of this house so you can finally learn discipline.” Her icy voice made the maids tremble and Victoria lowered her head.

“It was her fault. She suddenly came and asked for the tray, but she did not hold it properly when I let it go. I swear...”

“Enough. I do not have time for your excuses. Clean this immediately.” The cold order made the young maid mutter under her breath. She shot Victoria a hateful look and began picking up the glass shards.

Victoria stared at the wine spreading across the floor. It was the vintage bottle her uncle had hidden for a long time. Bernard Harrigan had loved that wine and kept asking her to refill his glass again and again. She also knew there was no other bottle left in the house that could impress that beast.

She pretended to sob and bit her lip. Before her aunt could stop her, she sat down on the spilled wine and slowly rubbed her dress against it while pretending to help the maid collect the shards.

“I will pick the glass. Go and bring the mop.” Victoria said softly.

The maid looked offended. She had never considered Victoria her superior. How dare she order her like that?

“Are both of you ignoring my warning?” her aunt snapped through clenched teeth. Yet she did not step forward to punish Victoria. Something about the girl felt different today. Even if it was meant as help, Victoria had acted on her own without waiting for orders. That had never happened before.

Normally she would stand still like a statue unless someone told her what to do.

Her aunt narrowed her eyes while studying Victoria’s calm face. There was no fear there at all. But as she kept watching, Victoria’s lips trembled and more sobs escaped her. She bit her lip harder as if trying not to cry loudly.

Just then the doorbell rang.

Her aunt’s attention snapped away. She looked back and froze in shock when she saw Victoria’s dress soaked with wine and blood mixing together on the floor.

“Victoria!”

Her voice shook the whole room.

“Go and change your clothes right now. Your role tonight is very important. Do not ruin it. The guests are already here and look at you. You look pathetic.”

Victoria flinched and quickly stood up, her body trembling as if she were frightened.

Her dress was ruined. The makeup on her face had been washed away by fake tears and the red wine soaked through the cloth.

“Victoria!”

She jumped again and ran toward her room, closing the door behind her.

The moment the door shut, the fear vanished from her eyes.

Cold frost replaced it.

There was no innocence left on her face now. Only contempt and a dark expression. She walked straight into the attached bathroom and stepped into the bathtub without caring about the blood still running down her leg.

Then she heard footsteps.

“What are you doing in my bathroom, you pest!”

Victoria slowly tilted her head.

Giselle stood there, wearing the black dress she had received on her last birthday. Her mother had told her not to wear it and to give it to Victoria instead. But Giselle had refused. She hated sharing anything with her cousin, someone she considered nothing more than a pest.

The dress was made from sheer fabric. It revealed just enough while hiding the rest. Any man looking at it would feel his desires ignite at the sight of a young girl wearing it.