Chapter 4

Sophia suddenly showed a surveillance video from the hospital room.

Sophia said, "Miss Moore, don't be in such a hurry to refuse.

"Honestly, I'm here mainly because of Charles. He's been fighting with his brother and acting out, saying he'll end it all for days now. I can't take it anymore."

In the video, Charles, with bruises under his eyes and a scruffy beard, looked completely unhinged as he grabbed a scalpel from the table and slashed at his own neck.

Blood splattered across the floor in an instant.

Several medical staff rushed in, wrestling him to the ground and tying his limbs down.

Charles's eyes were bloodshot as he screamed in pain and fury.

Watching all that blood made my eyes sting.

All that blood on the floor made my eyes sting, and my heart ache.

I clenched my trembling hands.

I went through the same hell in my last life.

Caught between wanting to live and wanting to die, but unable to do either.

But Charles he was an innocent soul.

I lowered my eyes, swallowing the words of refusal.

"Sophia, tell him if he tries to hurt himself again, I won't show up at the party to see him," I said.

Sophia's frown instantly melted away as she smiled and squeezed my hand.

"Alright, I'll go tell Charles right now," she said.

It was a party, after all.

It's not like I'm losing a piece of flesh.

Let's leave things on a good note.

I was stepping into the banquet hall in the dress Sophia had given me when a pair of hands suddenly yanked me into a corner.

My whole body tensed up.

"Amber," Charles called out.

Charles looked like he'd lost a ton of weight, his eyes bloodshot.

"You finally decided to see me," he said.

I felt annoyed. "Charles, if you want to die so badly, go ahead. When you're gone, I'll bring my new boyfriend to your funeral."

Charles shook his head frantically, gripping my hand. "No, I'm not going to die. Amber, please don't be mad. I was wrong. Please don't ignore me, okay?"

The study abroad application still needs a bit more time.

No need to provoke him yet.

I sighed. "I won't ignore you, but you better heal up fast. I don't like limping dogs."

Charles's eyes lit up, and he threw his arms around me like a big golden retriever, showering me with kisses and hugs. "Aww, Amber, I get it. Don't worry, I'll be back to normal in two months."

As I wrapped my arms around Charles, I suddenly felt a cold, steely gaze fixed on me.

I looked up.

Edward was surrounded by guests as he walked over, his knuckles white as he tugged at his collar.

I knew it.

He must be pissed right now.

Back in my last life, when he bullied me, I'd always plot my revenge.

Like messing up his speech notes, stuffing his glasses case with spiders, or swapping out his favorite handkerchief for a pair of underwear...

Every time he got mad, he'd tug at his collar like that.

Seeing him upset gave me a rush of satisfaction.

I locked eyes with Edward, refusing to back down.

I deliberately leaned in and planted a kiss on Charles's cheek.

Raising my voice enough for Edward to hear, I said, "But don't go picking fights with your brother, okay? After all, he's earning all that cash so I can splurge."

Charles looked stunned for a moment, then grinned like an idiot.

"Amber, you're totally right. I'll put all the houses and cars my brother gave me in your name right now." he said.

Edward had enough and stormed off.

At the banquet table, Edward looked absolutely miserable, like he'd bitten into a lemon.

His sour mood made my appetite soar, so I happily went for two extra bowls of rice.

Just as the banquet was wrapping up, a waiter, not paying attention, splashed juice all over me.

Sophia immediately apologized and had someone escort me to change into a spare dress.

Sophia immediately apologized.

She had someone escort me to change into a spare dress.