Chapter 8

Scarlett's POV

My mind was in chaos.

One moment I visualized the man who looked remarkably like George in pleasure with a woman, then Alexander gripping my chin, those ice-blue eyes staring directly at me, questioning whether I knew how to please a man.

Then... the bloody scene of my father Adam's suicide attempt flashed before me.

When I came to my senses, Alexander was long gone from the room, leaving me alone.

The room still reeked of a decadent atmosphere, nauseating me.

It was his distinctive cologne mixed with the scent of desire, silently reminding me that everything that had just happened wasn't an illusion.

Without bothering to fix my disheveled clothes, I grabbed my bag and ran after him!

Alexander had promised to help me, and I couldn't let him leave like this, especially after he'd nearly treated me as a plaything.

I needed him to fulfill his promise to help me.

I rushed out of the hotel doors to see his tall figure about to slip into a black Maybach.

"Alexander!" I called out, my voice sounding particularly harsh in the night air.

He turned his head to look at me, the corner of his mouth curling into an enigmatic smile, then got into the car without looking back.

The car drove away, leaving me standing there like an abandoned fool.

I bit my lip, filled with helplessness and humiliation.

In the span of one evening, I had nearly become a pet to be toyed with, yet accomplished nothing.

That sense of defeat gripped my heart tightly; I didn't even know how to face Emily when I returned.

She's still waiting for me to bring back hope.

After standing for a while on the brightly lit streets of Silverlight City, I finally drove back to my small rented apartment.

Since the Smith family went bankrupt six months ago, I had moved with Emily to a place near the suburbs where rent was considerably cheaper.

Although my salary at Harber Group could afford better accommodations, I had to save as much as possible to pay for medical and legal fees.

I had barely sat down when Emily called.

"Scarlett, how did it go? Did you reach Richard?" Her eager anticipation was palpable even through the phone.

I rubbed my constricted chest, an invisible pressure making it difficult to breathe.

"Mom, don't worry. Richard is still handling business in Silverpeak City. I think he'll return my call soon."

I tried to make my voice sound full of hope.

"Soon! Soon! When exactly is soon?" Emily's voice suddenly turned sharp as she broke down crying, "Scarlett, Adam won't last much longer! Do you want to watch him die before our eyes? I thought once you married Richard, he would help our family through this financial crisis. Why isn't he answering your calls now? Scarlett, have you done something to upset Richard?"

Her words stabbed directly into my heart like a cold knife.

Could it be that Richard discovered what happened between Alexander and me, and that's why he's treating me this way?

A chill ran down my spine, and fear rose within me.

Richard, that outwardly gentlemanly yet inwardly dark man—if he knew what had happened between me and his nephew Alexander... I dared not imagine the consequences.

At this thought, my body went limp, and I collapsed onto the sofa.

"Mom, I understand your concerns, but things won't get that bad." I forced myself to soften my tone to comfort Emily, though I knew things were already much worse.

After hanging up, I stared blankly at the ceiling for a while, a sense of helplessness permeating my bones.

What am I doing? Now I've even become entangled with Alexander.

Just as I was immersed in self-loathing, my phone rang again.

George's name flashed on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Scarlett, is everything alright with your father?" George's gentle voice came through the phone.

His tone was full of concern, warming my heart.

George was the man I had secretly loved for three years.

But now, he was my boss, and I couldn't confide everything to him.

"Mr. Harber..." I began, my tongue bitter.

I wanted to pretend everything was fine, but at this critical juncture, I couldn't find any reason for optimism.

This was my most difficult moment, and I needed to grasp at any lifeline.

"The lawyer who was handling my adoptive father's case has now refused to represent us. Do you know any lawyers who might help? Even if they can just extend our repayment period..."

I spoke each word deliberately, my heart aching with every sentence.

George was silent for a moment on the other end. "Alright, I'll ask around right now. Also, there's something I..."

"Mr. Harber, thank you!" I didn't give him a chance to continue, quickly expressing my gratitude before hanging up.

I didn't want to hear anything else, especially after swallowing my pride to ask for his help.

I collapsed on the sofa, feeling utterly exhausted.

Early the next morning, as soon as I arrived at Harber Group, I received a notification to go to the top floor office.

Standing in the elevator, I took a deep breath, adjusted my expression, and tried to appear professional and calm.

When the elevator doors opened, I saw George's back.

He wore a tailored gray-blue three-piece suit, standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows gazing at Silverlight City's skyline, emanating an aura of nobility and distance.

"Mr. Harber, you wanted to see me?" I walked into the office and asked, my fingers nervously clutching the hem of my clothes.

George turned around, his expression inscrutable.

"I found a good lawyer for you. Here's his card. Contact him when you have time."

As he spoke, he placed a business card on the desk and pushed it slightly in my direction.

I stepped forward to take it.

Just as my fingertips were about to touch the card, George suddenly grasped my wrist.

His grip wasn't tight, but enough to prevent me from pulling away.

I looked up in surprise, meeting his probing gaze.

"Do you know Alexander?" he suddenly asked, his eyes sharp as knives.

My heartbeat instantly stopped, a chill spreading from my spine throughout my body.

How does he know? What has he discovered?