Chapter 5

Declan’s eyes turned dark and menacing.

He took a step forward and grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he might shatter my bones.

“Aubrey, don’t push your luck. I hated that haughty attitude of yours in college. You were still played by me for two years. Fine, if you don’t want my help…”

I trembled with rage, pulling my hand free. “Let go!”

Briar triumphantly wiggled her high-heeled foot. “I have an idea. Lick my shoe clean first. Maybe I’ll be in a better mood and let you off.”

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Declan, in front of everyone, declared loudly,

“Don’t be shy! Every single time you had to grovel and beg for money, I recorded it and sent those videos to Briar; she always found them hysterical.”

My whole body trembled, and the world began to blur.

All the humiliation, all the subservience of the past two years…

It was all just their casual entertainment!

Declan grew even more excited. “Oh, and especially that video of you kneeling on the ground, begging a customer. We even posted it in the alumni group chat, with the title ‘Former Campus Queen Kneels for Ten Bucks’.”

*Slap!*

I raised my hand and slapped Declan across the face. “Stop talking.”

The loud slap cut him off.

Declan’s face turned to one side, a bright red handprint instantly appearing on his cheek.

He stared, disbelieving. “You… you dare to hit me?”

Before he could react, I swung my hand back and delivered another slap, this time to Briar Miller’s face, as she tried to pull me away.

My voice rang out, clear and resonant, “I *am* hitting you! You two worthless cheats!”

Briar Miller’s carefully made-up face instantly swelled. Her nose, plumped up with fillers, was practically shattered.

“Ah—my nose!”

Declan immediately shielded Briar and yelled, “Guards! Grab this crazy woman!”

Five or six cronies immediately rushed forward.

Overwhelmed by sheer numbers, they pinned me to the ground.

My cheek slammed hard against the marble floor, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Briar shrieked hysterically, “Hold her head down! Make her kowtow to me!”

Rough hands grabbed my hair, slamming my head against the floor, again and again.

Declan sneered, pulling out his phone to record. “This time, I’m putting it online. Let’s see if you ever dare to bully Briar again.”

My forehead quickly began to bleed, and I lay prostrate on the marble floor.

Briar’s shrill voice was full of malice.

“You were so strong in college, weren’t you? Now look at you, sprawled on the ground like a dog.”

Unending humiliation and rage surged through me.

I never wanted to stoop to their level and use my power, but now that they were doing it, I summoned all my strength, lifted my head, and shouted,

“I am Aubrey Hayes! The sole heiress of Hayes Group! My grandfather is Richard Hayes!”

A brief silence fell over the lobby.

Then, even more furious laughter erupted!

“She says she’s Aubrey Hayes? Then I’m the heir to the British crown!”

“Is she insane? She’s started talking nonsense.”

Briar laughed so hard she couldn’t stand straight, tears practically streaming down her face.

“Aubrey Hayes? Aubrey Hayes is engaged to the young scion of Imperial Corp! I don’t expect you to call your grandpa out, but if you’ve got guts, call out your fiancé to back you up!”

“What a joke, she’s talking big without a thought.”

I felt utterly pathetic. My voice was hoarse.

“Declan Ford, for the past two years, I was blind to your deception. But since you’re pushing me this hard, I won’t make it easy for you either.”

Declan paused, then burst into a sharp, grating laugh.

“Still acting out the whole drama, huh? Let me tell you, from college onwards, you always had that haughty attitude, rejecting my advances. If Briar hadn’t wanted to see you humbled, I wouldn’t have given you a second glance.”

Briar walked over, looking down at me condescendingly, her sharp heel poised over my fingers.

“Brother Declan’s right. Lowlifes like you are only good for our amusement. I heard you can play piano too, can’t you? Wonder if you can still play after I break your fingers—!”

My hands were seized by several people, and the heel pressed into my flesh. A searing pain shot through me.

Just then, a deep, cold male voice suddenly cut through the crowd from behind.

It wasn't loud, but it sliced through the clamor like a sharpened blade.

“Stop.”