Chapter 3
I wasn't someone who would dwell on things or get stuck in their head.
If Charles wasn't into me, I sure wasn't going to make a fool of myself chasing after him.
College life kept me busy, and I forgot all about him in no time.
The next time I ran into him was at a dinner party hosted by the Evans family.
I slipped into my dress and linked arms with Austin as we made our entrance.
Charles barely glanced my way, pretending he didn't know me.
Honestly, I was more than happy to keep it that way.
I was heading for the dessert table when a clumsy waitress nearly crashed right into me.
Red wine splashed all over me.
The waitress went pale, bowing frantically.
"I'm so sorry!" she kept apologizing.
The commotion drew a crowd of onlookers.
Charles's mom strode over, her brows furrowed in annoyance.
"How could you be so clumsy? You're fired. Don't show up tomorrow," she snapped.
The waitress was crying her eyes out, clinging to my dress.
"Please, miss, don't let them fire me. I really need this job.
"How much is the dress? I'll pay you back. I'll work to pay it off," she pleaded.
I glanced at her, thinking she seemed a bit slow on the uptake.
"It's fine. Let go," I said calmly.
But she clung on for dear life.
"No, I have to pay you back, even if it takes me ten years of work!" she insisted.
Feeling irritated, I pulled my dress free from her grasp.
The waitress stumbled and fell to the floor, letting out a surprised cry.
People started gossiping and shooting me dirty looks, as if I were the villain.
I couldn't care less about their stares. I turned to an attendant and asked her to help me get changed.
The attendant led me to a guest room on the second floor.
"Miss Sutton, please make yourself comfortable. I'll go get you some clothes," she said.
Once the door closed, I was left alone in the room.
Suddenly, a burning heat rushed up from deep within my body, making me feel restless and out of control.
My head started spinning, and my arms and legs went limp.
It hit me that something was seriously wrong. I nearly tripped over myself as I lunged for the door, desperately grabbing at the handle.
But the door was locked.
"Open up! Anybody there?" I yelled.
I banged on the door, but my voice was fading fast.
Then, the bathroom door swung open.
A balding middle-aged man stepped out, a sleazy grin plastered on his face.
"What are you screaming for? I'm right here, aren't I?" he said.
A jolt of panic shot through me, and I slumped down against the door, my back pressed hard to the wood.
"Who are you? Get the hell away from me!" I shouted.
The man rubbed his hands together, closing in on me.
"The Sutton family's heiress, huh? Bet you're a real treat," he sneered.
He lunged at me, grabbing my dress and yanking it hard.
"Get lost!" I screamed.
With every ounce of strength I had left, I grabbed the vase beside me and smashed it over his head.
He howled in pain, clutching his head as blood started streaming down.
Enraged, he lashed out and slapped me hard across the face.
"You filthy bitch! I try to be nice, and you throw it back in my face!" he spat.
He pinned me down, his greasy face looming closer and closer, filling my vision.
Despair crashed over me in an instant.
I thought I was done for.
Then, I heard a loud bang.
The door was kicked open.