Chapter 8

Scarlett POV

The car sped away, and I could only stare blankly as its taillights grew more distant, my heart turning to ashes.

In one night, I had nearly become a pet to be toyed with, yet accomplished nothing, with shame and helplessness weighing heavily on my heart.

I drove back to my small rented apartment, my fingers trembling slightly on the steering wheel.

Richard wasn't around anyway, so I didn't need to stay in the Grey family's cold mansion.

Since my family went bankrupt and fell into debt six months ago, I'd been renting a place with Emily near the suburbs where the rent was considerably cheaper.

The night was already deep, but without having found a solution to our debt problems, I didn't know how to face Emily.

Returning to the empty home, it was pitch dark. Emily was probably still at the hospital taking care of Adam.

Before I had a chance to sit down, my phone suddenly vibrated, with Emily's name flashing on the screen.

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the dull pain in my chest, and made an effort to keep my voice calm.

"Scarlett, darling," Emily's voice was filled with anxiety, "Any news? Have you contacted Richard?"

"Mom, don't worry." My nails dug deep into my palm, the pain keeping me alert. "Mr. Grey is still handling business in Silverpeak City. He'll call me back soon."

"Soon?" Emily's voice suddenly rose, piercing my eardrums.

"Soon! And when exactly is soon? Scarlett, Adam can't wait any longer!" She paused, her tone suspicious, "Did you do something to upset Richard?"

That question nearly made me bite my tongue, a chill running up my spine.

Alexander's tall figure flashed in my mind—those dangerous blue eyes, slightly curled dark brown hair, and the scratches I'd left on his firm chest that night.

The memories flooded in like a tide, making my cheeks burn with both shame and panic.

If Richard found out about that night... The thought made my body go weak, and I collapsed onto the sofa, my heart pounding.

"No, Mom." The lies came more fluently, surprising even myself. I forced myself to soften my tone, then comforted Emily with a few more words.

After hanging up, I felt dizzy, my stomach churning. Just then, the phone began to vibrate again.

When George's name appeared on the screen, I surprisingly felt a morbid anticipation and comfort.

"Scarlett?" his gentle voice came through the receiver, warming my cold heart like sunshine.

"Is everything alright with your father?"

I bit my lower lip, my tongue bitter. George was always so considerate, which made me crave his kindness even more, longing to seek momentary peace in his embrace.

"Mr. Harber, I was wondering if you could help me find a lawyer..." Halfway through my sentence, I suddenly realized that even if there was no way out, I couldn't drag him into this dangerous whirlpool.

The thought that I might harm him struck me with both guilt and fear at the same time.

George was silent for a moment: "Alright, I'll ask around right away."

Then he added: "I'm your boss, helping you is what I should do. You don't need to feel burdened."

My body felt as though it had plunged into an icy cave, a bone-chilling coldness spreading from the depths of my heart to my limbs.

In his mind, was I just an ordinary subordinate he helped in passing? Merely someone to be looked after as part of a working relationship?

Would he show the same concern for others?

This thought was like a dull knife, slowly cutting into my heart, making it hard for me to breathe from the pain.

If that was the case, what did all those years I spent by his side amount to?

I suddenly came to my senses, a bitter regret rising in my chest—I shouldn't have asked George for help.

This unbidden emotion made me feel ashamed; how could I be so selfish to take advantage of his kindness?

But he happened to call just when I was at my most helpless, and I really wanted to find someone to lean on, even if only for a brief moment of warmth.

This longing to love and be loved was so intense that I almost let down all my defenses and confessed everything to him.

But I could only pretend to speak coldly: "Never mind, sorry to bother you."

My voice sounded harder and more unfeeling than I had imagined. Every word was like a sharp knife, cutting me first before stabbing him.

After hastily hanging up the phone, I leaned weaklessly against the cold glass, tears falling and soaking my clothes.

I bit my lip tightly until I tasted blood, barely suppressing the sobs about to burst forth.

I only hated myself for being helpless, and hated fate for turning me into what I am now!The next morning, George called me to the company.

I dragged my exhausted body to his private office, which was as tidy and orderly as always, just like the rigorous, gentlemanly person he was.

His perfection made me both admire and feel inferior.

He called me to his desk, "These are the best lawyers in the city," George pushed a business card toward me.

Just as I was about to take it, he suddenly grabbed my hand. At that moment, my heart almost burst out of my chest.

"Do you know Alexander?"

I forced my expression to remain unchanged, only feeling a buzzing in my ears. George's hand was warm, in stark contrast to Alexander's possessive force that night.

This warmth made me both yearn for and feel pain, because I knew I wasn't worthy of it.

"I've been ignoring your feelings for two years, are you upset with me?" Each of his questions caught me off guard.

"Mr. Harper," I deliberately made my voice sound distant as I withdrew my hand, while my heart was screaming not to leave, "you misunderstand... I've never had those kinds of thoughts about you."

Every word of this lie made my heart bleed, but I had no choice. I would rather he hated me than involve him in danger.

Turned and walked away，just as I was about to reach the door, my phone vibrated. It was a text from Alexander. With trembling fingers, I opened it:

"Miss me, little wildcat? Those lawyers won't help you. But if you beg me nicely, I might consider helping."

I deleted the message with trembling hands, fear and anger colliding violently within me.

Through the glass, I saw myself dressed elegantly and gorgeously. After bankruptcy, this attire was just to help me fit into the Gray family.

But beneath this glossy exterior, I felt my soul slowly disappearing.

I didn't know what dirty business existed between Richard and Alexander, but Alexander seemed determined to make me choose between him and Richard. It was a choice that would determine my fate, one I had to make carefully.

My phone vibrated again. Alexander again, each vibration like a countdown to death:

"By the way, that white blouse really suits your neck today. My marks are still there, I wonder if George noticed?"

I hurriedly adjusted my collar, shame and panic sweeping over me as I quickly left, fearing my secret would be exposed to everyone.

Sitting in my car, I took out the lawyer's business card George had given me, my fingers caressing that small piece of paper as if clutching the last lifeline.

Just then, I noticed Alexander had sent me one last message:

"Don't bother with those lawyers. You know, little wildcat, you'll come back to me sooner or later. This time, I won't let you escape."

I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white, anger, fear, and helplessness intertwined. He was right—those lawyers probably couldn't help me.

At most, they could delay the repayment deadline, but the debts would continue to weigh on me like mountains.

I desperately realized that Alexander would not easily let me go; no matter how I struggled, I couldn't escape his control.