Chapter 2

The scene descended into complete chaos.

I heard countless screams in my ears, someone shouting for security, and people whispering in discussion.

"Who is this woman? Does she have a death wish? She actually dared to stab Mr. Carter!"

"I just heard Miss Yolanda mention five years ago. Five years ago, didn't Mr. Carter drive away a Carter family orphan girl, his wife in name only! Holy shit, could it be her!"

"She doesn't look like it though."

"I heard that orphan girl had no one, just a dog that was tortured to death all night because it offended Miss Yolanda! Everyone in high society has seen that torture video! They even skinned the dog alive!"

"Look, Mr. Carter is actually smiling!"

Blood kept seeping from Lucas Carter's arm. Yolanda shouted, "Asher!"

Then, ignoring her own forehead wound, Yolanda rushed over to Lucas Carter like a madwoman, shielding him and yelling at me.

"Gardenia! What gives you the right to hurt Asher!"

"The Carter family raised you for twenty years and raised an ungrateful wretch like you! Apologize to Asher right now!"

Watching Yolanda act like the mistress of the Carter family, ordering me around imperiously, I found it laughable. I met Lucas Carter's eyes.

"After raising her for five years, you've raised a dog that stands up for you. Lucas Carter, you must feel pretty satisfied."

Yolanda's face paled.

Lucas Carter immediately shielded Yolanda behind him, just like five years ago.

"Gardenia, things between us ended five years ago."

"I've already told you, Yolanda is the only one in my heart. I won't fall in love with you and I could never like you," Lucas Carter looked at me coldly. "I don't care how you've spent these five years, or how you got an invitation to this gala and snuck in."

"But I will never let you return to the Carter family and continue to harm Yolanda."

"Gardenia."

Lucas Carter looked down at me from above.

"Originally today I could have ignored you and pretended you didn't exist, but since you hurt Yolanda, you have to pay the price." Lucas Carter clapped his hands, and a group of security guards surrounded me. "You can choose to do it yourself, or I'll do it."

A security guard handed over a knife.

Lucas Carter took it, waiting for my answer.

I just laughed outright. "Lucas Carter, do you think the whole world revolves around you?"

I pointed at the knife in his hand.

"If you've got the guts, you'd better finish me off today," I walked closer step by step. "Otherwise, when it's my turn to finish you off."

"You'd better not," I leaned close to Lucas Carter, enunciating clearly, "beg for mercy on your knees."

"Hahaha."

My laughter echoed through the silent banquet hall. Lucas Carter's expression darkened. Watching Lucas Carter tremble with rage, I couldn't help but recall five years ago when he did the same thing, using Rusty to force me to kneel and kowtow in apology.

He locked Rusty in an iron cage, had someone seal Rusty's mouth, and as long as I refused to beg for mercy, the blade would mercilessly slice across Rusty's body.

All my pride was completely shattered. Watching Rusty in agony, I knelt and begged for mercy.

"Lucas Carter!"

I cried and pleaded, "Don't hurt Rusty."

"I'm sorry!"

I kowtowed forcefully, banging my head hard on the ground. "I was wrong! I know I was wrong!"

Rusty was all I had.

My only hope was to take Rusty and leave the Carter family.

I desperately begged.

"Let Rusty go, let Rusty go!"

I'll never forget Rusty's eyes full of heartache for me, nor will I forget the hatred carved into my bones that still fills me with rage when I remember it. Looking at Lucas Carter now, only the hatred that hasn't completely burned out remains.

"Lucas Carter, you're nothing but a dog being played by Yolanda," I said word by word. "Old Master Carter handed the Carter family over to you, and he'll probably crawl out of his coffin to demand your life!"

"After all, the Carter family is completely finished!"