Chapter 8

Serena's scream tore through the auction's backstage area. The staff nearby froze. Some screamed. Someone was already on the phone, calling an ambulance.

I let the dinner knife go and straightened up. I looked at Serena, who lay on the floor, clutching her hand and sobbing. "I, Freya Seymour, settle my scores then and there. Remember it."

As I turned to leave, a commotion erupted behind me. I headed straight for the exit, my steps steady, as if nothing had happened.

Just as I reached the doorway, Daniel blocked my path. He had a blanket in his arms and a thermos in his hand, clearly just back from picking up medicine.

The moment he saw me, he went livid and barked, "What did you do?"

I glanced at the thermos in his hand and gave a wry smile. "You went to get her medicine?"

Daniel's voice went colder. "I'm asking you, what did you do?"

I met his eyes. "She put my mother's necklace on a stray dog and called my mother a bitch. So I stabbed her."

His face stiffened. "What did you just say?"

I pointed at his earpiece. "Didn't you already hear it all? Your men should've reported to you by now."

He was indeed wearing a discreet earpiece. It was obvious he already knew what had happened before.

His voice was cold. "Even if she put the necklace on a stray, you don't get to lay a hand on her!"

That line shattered me. I looked at him, tears gathering in my eyes. So that was how he saw it—I shouldn't fight back even if Serena insulted my late mother.

My voice trembled. "Daniel, how exactly do you intend to put me in my place this time?"

At the sight of my tears, a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. But almost at once, his expression turned cold again.

"I can't deal with you anymore." Daniel pulled out his phone. "Mark, call the police and request officers at the auction hall. Freya is to be arrested for intentional assault and taken to the station."

His voice was merciless, and my heart was already bleeding.

Ten minutes later, two uniformed officers came in.

"Ms. Freya Seymour, you're suspected of intentional assault. Please come with us."

I didn't resist. I held out my hands and let them cuff me.

As they led me away, I looked back. Daniel was holding Serena, her hand already bandaged. He was gently soothing her.

"It's alright. I'm here," he said, stroking her hair. "No one will hurt you again."

Serena cried in his arms, like a wounded little animal. And I was led off like a criminal.

When I was pushed into jail, a group of women closed in on me.

"New here? What are you in for?" The one in front was big, tattoos covering her arms.

I frowned. "Mind your own business."

She grinned. "Well, aren't you a feisty one? You know the rules? Newcomers pay for protection."

"I don't have any money."

Her face darkened. "No money? Then you'll have to pay another way."

That night, they doused me with a basin of ice water. The next day, I found glass shards in my food. On the third day, they started beating me.

Before they laid hands on me each time, the woman in charge would say the same thing. "Mr. Falkner said you need to be taught a lesson."

It turned out Daniel had set the whole thing up. He didn't just want me locked up. He wanted me to suffer there.

I was released three days later. It was my last day in Belcaster.

I walked out of the jail covered in bruises, and the glare was so harsh I couldn't keep my eyes open. A wave of dizziness hit me as I reached the gate. The world spun, and I went down.

…

I woke to find myself in a hospital room again.

Daniel stood at my bedside, hands in his pockets. He asked in a detached voice, "Did you learn your lesson this time?"