Chapter 3

That wine shattered every last bit of my dignity.

And just like that, James gave me a one-way ticket straight to hell.

With James giving them a free pass, Charles and his crew got even bolder.

They kept forcing me to drink one after another, each one a brutal mix of hard liquor.

My stomach felt like it was on fire, but I had to force a smile, letting them hang all over me.

Just when I thought I was about to puke, a bodyguard in black walked over.

"Mr. Knight, Mr. Jennings wants Ms. Summers to join him upstairs for a drink," the bodyguard said.

Charles's hand froze in mid-air, his expression flickering. He knew better than to mess with Zack, so he backed off.

"Since Mr. Jennings wants you, Ms. Summers, go ahead," Charles said.

I staggered to my feet, steadying myself against the wall as I made my way upstairs.

When I pushed open the door to the private room, a thick cloud of tobacco smoke hit me.

Zack was lounging in the center of the sofa, with a gorgeous woman draped over each arm.

James was sitting across from him, still holding Olivia in his arms.

When I walked in, James didn't even bother to look up. He was too busy peeling grapes for Olivia.

Zack gestured and said, "Sit, Ms. Summers." He pointed straight at the carpet by his feet.

I paused, then sat down right where he wanted, like an obedient dog.

"I heard you used to be the apple of Mr. Foster's eye, Ms. Summers," Zack said. He blew a smoke ring right in my face.

I coughed a few times, head bowed. I replied, "Mr. Jennings, you must be joking. I was just a plaything; he threw me away when he got tired of me."

"Oh? Just a plaything?" Zack cast James a knowing glance. "Mr. Foster, you really let go of a prize like her?"

James fed Olivia a peeled grape, speaking offhandedly, "If you want her, Mr. Jennings, go ahead. She's nothing but a worn-out toy that's been used by everyone."

In that moment, it felt like someone was tearing my heart apart.

But I had to bite the bullet and endure.

I raised my head, giving Zack a smoldering, flirtatious look.

"Mr. Jennings, if Mr. Foster doesn't appreciate me, that's his loss. As long as you're willing to take me in, my life is yours," I said.

As I spoke, I eagerly grabbed the bottle from the table and poured Zack a drink.

Then I leaned in close, letting my soft chest rub against his arm.

Zack burst out laughing and wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Now that's what I like. You're spicy. I love that wild streak in you," he said.

Zack gripped my chin, forcing me to lift my gaze to him.

"Since Mr. Foster doesn't want you anymore, you belong to me now," he said. "But I'm not easy to trust. If you want to stay by my side, you'll have to show me your loyalty."

Zack pulled a dagger from inside his jacket and tossed it onto the table.

"Mr. Foster took a batch of my goods today, and that really pissed me off," he said. "Go over there and cut his face. If you do that, I'll know you're truly on my side."

The room went dead silent.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the dagger, its blade glinting coldly.

With my hands shaking, I grabbed the dagger by the handle.

Olivia screamed in terror and buried herself in James's embrace.

James remained impassive, yet in the depths of his profound eyes, a fleeting hint of anguish seemed to flicker.

I clutched the dagger and walked toward James; every step felt like I was walking on thin ice.

When I finally stood in front of him, I raised the dagger.

"James, you're the one who wronged me first," I said, gritting my teeth as my voice trembled.

James looked at me, the corner of his lip twitching upward in a sneer.

"Do it, Stella. Show me just how dark your heart really is," he said.