Chapter 2
Those eighteen long years at Starlight Orphanage were the darkest chapter of my life.
It wasn't until I returned to the Grant family that I rediscovered the warmth of home. From then on, I treasured everyone who showed me kindness with all my heart.
But in the end, I was just a plaything for those rich kids.
All that so-called family, friendship, and love were just a facade put on by those three privileged heirs.
It was all an act, every damn bit of it.
Ryan returned from his call, a smirk playing on his lips. "Vivian's at the dock. Let's get wasted tonight."
A short man sidled up to Charlotte with an ingratiating smile. "Vivian, I heard your birthday is coming up. The International Auction Gala will be auctioning off an emerald monarch. Any chance you're interested, Ms. Quinn?"
"Now this is a real treasure. Hands off, everyone. I'm bidding on the emerald monarch for Vivian. She's my dearest friend, after all," a girl said.
Lucas raised an eyebrow mockingly. "So, what about Emily?"
Charlotte sneered, "Emily? If she weren't your sister, that hick wouldn't even be fit to shine my shoes. God, it's so embarrassing being seen with her."
My nose stung as I remembered the music box Charlotte gave me for my birthday.
Maybe Charlotte never noticed the free gift label on the box, but I didn't mind at all. In fact, I treasured it and kept it right by my bedside.
Someone teased, "I heard Vivian had a crush on Ryan before she went abroad. Who knows, maybe sparks will fly between them tonight."
"Then what about Emily?" another guy mentioned me.
Ryan curled his lip in annoyance and knocked back his drink in one go.
He scoffed, "It's all just an act. What happens to her is none of my damn business. Guess you have watched too many soap operas."
His words sent the crowd into raucous laughter as if they'd just discovered the biggest fool under the sun.
What a naive fool, so hopelessly stupid to the core.
I remembered how, back when Ryan was trying to win me over, he'd often show up with a bunch of wildflowers. Looking a little nervous, he once asked her, "Do you think wildflowers are too cheap?"
I gently cupped his face and said with heartfelt sincerity, "As long as it's prepared with all your heart, then this bouquet is the most one-of-a-kind treasure in the world."
He pulled me into a tight embrace and vowed, "If I ever betray you, may I never rise again in this lifetime."
Memories came flooding back. I kept my head bowed, tears streaming uncontrollably. My throat constricted painfully, and every fiber of my being trembled.
Their words pierced my heart like countless silver needles.
I was paralyzed, the pain so overwhelming I just wanted it all to end.
Ryan stepped up to swap his drink, only to find my hands trembling so badly that the entire glass had spilled onto the serving tray.
Ryan sneered mockingly, "Holy shit, this waitress is just as stupid as Emily. Hey, girl, can you even afford to pay for this bottle of wine worth tens of thousands of dollars that you just spilled?"
I lifted my head, pain etched across my brows and eyes.
"Emily, what the hell are you doing here?" someone exclaimed.
His shout drew every eye in the room. The easy smiles on Lucas and Charlotte's faces vanished instantly.
I took a step back in wide-eyed alarm, on guard, my gaze locked on these monsters who had trampled on my heart.
Lucas' eyes instantly turned icy cold as he strode toward me, scolding with clear displeasure, "This is no place for you. Get out of here."
Charlotte froze in momentary panic, unsure how much I'd overheard. She took a step forward, hesitating to ask.
I jerked my arm out of Charlotte's grasp, my voice trembling with anger. "Don't you dare touch me?"
With all eyes on me, I clung desperately to the last shred of my dignity.
Charlotte awkwardly withdrew her hand, instantly reverting to her arrogant socialite demeanor.
She looked down at me with contempt and said, "Emily, some truths are simply too much for someone from your humble background to handle. The moment you boarded this yacht, you should've realized there's no going back. But if you bow and beg me properly, maybe I'll still consider keeping you as a friend."
In their eyes, it seemed that someone like me, who came from the very bottom, could only obtain friendship through the charity of others.
Humiliated and heartbroken, I turned to flee this nightmare, only to collide head-on with a woman.
The tray tipped, champagne drenching us as the glasses crashed onto the deck with a sharp smash, the broken shards scraping painfully against my skin.
"Vivian, are you alright?"
"Quick, call a doctor for Vivian."
"Emily, you can't do anything right. You're nothing but a troublemaker."
Lucas, Ryan, and Charlotte all crowded around Vivian, their faces etched with genuine concern.
Suddenly, someone shoved me violently from behind, sending me crashing onto the broken glass. The searing pain cut through me like a knife to the heart.
The security guards rushed over and roughly grabbed me by the shoulders, their brutal handling pulling at my wounds. The pain was so intense that cold sweat broke out all over my body.
The security guards turned to the privileged heirs respectfully. "Mr. Grant, Mr. Chandler, Ms. Quinn, how shall we handle this waitress?"
Lucas shot me a look of utter disappointment. "If you're pissed off, take it out on me. But you hurt Vivian. I swear you'll pay for it. Drag her out. Charge her with assault and lock her up."