Chapter 4

Gloria crumpled to the floor, just like she had three years ago.

Sebastian's eyes, filled with contempt, bore into her, making it impossible for her to lift her head.

That look had haunted her dreams almost every night during her early days in prison, waking her up in terror.

Gloria had hoped that time would help her forget.

But each time she endured another inhumane torment in prison, the memories only grew sharper.

Her fear of Sebastian was etched into her very bones.

Now, as she found herself in the same position, recreating the scene from three years ago, Gloria felt as if she were back in prison. Everything happening today seemed like a nightmare.

In the next moment, Sebastian would coldly pronounce her sentence, and she would wake up from the nightmare, only to continue suffering.

The thought of this possibility filled Gloria with overwhelming fear, causing her fingers to spasm uncontrollably.

Nearby, a group of wealthy young men were laughing and chatting.

"Looks like Judge Windsor still has that commanding presence. Women in places like this can't even lift their heads when they see him."

"Exactly. This woman was acting all high and mighty just a moment ago, and now she's cowering on the floor. How pathetic."

One of them stepped forward and kicked her, sending Gloria sprawling at Sebastian's feet.

"Get up. Stop playing dead. Is this how your boss taught you? Can't even keep the customers happy, let alone avoid making them angry?"

"Judge Windsor was in a good mood when he came in, but seeing your face made him mad. Aren't you going to apologize?"

The man's commanding tone echoed above her, and the other wealthy young men joined in, jeering.

The room was in chaos.

But the gaze fixed on her remained cold and disdainful.

Gloria finally snapped out of her nightmare.

She was out now, and everything happening was real.

Sebastian still hated her, and that was also real.

Three years ago, she had stubbornly refused to admit her mistakes, which had landed her in prison.

This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.

She had more important things to do.

She needed to survive, make money, and find her family.

Gloria took a deep breath, suppressing her instinctive fear, and slowly got up from the floor, kneeling at Sebastian's feet. "I'm sorry, Mr. Windsor. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me."

The response was a long silence.

Gloria's fingers twitched, and she lowered her head even further. "Mr. Windsor, please."

She had never begged him for anything, not even three years ago.

In the dim light, Sebastian's eyes darkened as he looked at Gloria, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity.

She wore a cheap, tacky maid outfit that couldn't hide her emaciated frame. Her exposed wrists looked like they could snap with a touch.

The once proud head was now bowed low, and her hunched back trembled slightly.

Gloria's humble, pleading demeanor ignited a fire of anger within him. "Begging me? Is this how you beg?"

Sebastian's long fingers picked up a glass of wine from the table. He took a sip, his eyes hidden behind the glass, revealing no emotion.

Cold sweat dripped from Gloria's forehead.

She had anticipated that Sebastian wouldn't let her off easily.

But in her current state, what else could she do?

She had nothing left. What more did Sebastian want from her?

The sound of wine being poured reached her ears.

A glass of strong liquor was handed to her.

Gloria looked up to see Elodie Scott, an escort who had worked at the bar for years. "Calm down, everyone. She's new and doesn't know any better. I'll make sure she apologizes properly."

With that, Elodie shoved the glass into Gloria's hand and gave her a meaningful look.

This was the most common and effective method in their line of work.

Gloria held the glass, hesitating.

In the past, she could drink as much as she wanted, and she even enjoyed it.

But now...

Pain flickered in Gloria's eyes.

In prison, her liver had been damaged from beatings, and she had coughed up blood. Drinking would only aggravate her old injuries.

"Unwilling? Or do you still think you did nothing wrong?" Sebastian's voice was like a demon's, sending chills down her spine.

It felt like if she delayed any longer, he would send her back to prison until she truly repented.

Gloria had no room to refuse.

She tilted her head back and downed the glass of strong liquor in one go.

A burning sensation quickly spread through her insides.

Gloria's face turned pale. "I'm sorry. I know I was wrong."

Sebastian's tone was icy. "Not enough."

He had seen Gloria drink before. This amount of alcohol was nothing to her.

Gloria gritted her teeth, suppressing the pain, and poured herself another full glass.

As she drank, she repeatedly apologized.

Despite finishing a bottle of strong liquor, Sebastian's response remained cold. "Not enough."

Gloria was numb, with only a sliver of rationality keeping her going. She reached for another bottle.

Sebastian just wanted to torment her, so she would let him have his fill this time.

After this, they would have no more interactions.

As she touched the bottle, a hand suddenly pressed down on hers.

Gavin's nonchalant voice followed. "Judge Windsor, what's the point of taking it out on a girl? If you have an issue with me, just say it."

He then looked at Gloria. "It seems Judge Windsor doesn't like you. Come over here and serve me instead."

Gloria's eyes flickered, and she obediently put the bottle back.

She was in too much pain to drink any more.

As for whether Gavin's intentions were genuine or not, she didn't know and didn't dare to move until Sebastian spoke.

Gloria remained kneeling, while all eyes in the room were on her.

Gavin's gaze shifted from her to Sebastian. "Judge Windsor, you've scared my girl."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed dangerously as the scene from earlier flashed in his mind.

He looked at Gloria, who was kneeling on the floor.

Just moments ago, she had been clinging to Gavin, but now she avoided Sebastian like the plague.

Gavin told her to stop drinking, and she obediently complied.

This obedient Gloria was truly detestable.

Sebastian suddenly wanted to see how far she and Gavin would go in front of him.

"Don't know how to apologize? Don't know how to thank someone? Mr. Miller spoke up for you. You should thank him properly." Sebastian said.

Sebastian's commanding tone made it clear to everyone that he was refuting Gavin's claim of "my girl."

It was obvious that this woman only dared to listen to Sebastian. Rather than being Gavin's girl, she was more like Sebastian's dog.

Gloria had no energy left to decipher the meaning behind Sebastian's words. She simply followed his every command.

Sebastian told her to thank Gavin, so she quietly turned around and crawled over to him on her knees.

"Thank..." As soon as she started to speak, her legs, numb from kneeling too long, gave out, and she instinctively grabbed the person in front of her.