Chapter 5
Christine stood quietly off to the side, listening to everything without a word.
Ava sauntered over, her eyes full of scorn as she looked Christine up and down.
“You did an okay job with the party, I guess,” she sniffed, “but there’s a problem. There’s no carpet in the hall and my dress got dirty Since it’s your fault, you can carry my train for me.“@
Christine kept her head down, voice steady but polite.
“Just a moment, Ms. Smith. There’s an extra carpet backstage–I’ll have someone put it out right away.“}]
Ava’s expression darkened at Christine’s attempt to refuse.
Right then, Brad walked in. He noticed Ava’s sour mood and went straight to her.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Brad, I don’t want my dress getting dirtier. I asked your secretary to help with my train, but she said no. Is she still mad at me because of last time?”
Seeing Ava’s pitiful face, Brad pulled her into his arms and shot Christine a cold look.
“It’s just carrying a dress. Isn’t that part of your job? You’ve been my assistant long enough–you should know how to handle something this simple.“>
The guests nearby started whispering with thinly veiled mockery.
“Who does she think she is, giving Ms. Smith attitude?“}
“Some people are born to be adored, and others should just be grateful for any scraps of attention. She should count herself lucky to even touch that dress.“}
Christine’s eyes dimmed at the snide remarks. Swallowing her shame, she bent down and lifted Ava’s heavy dress.
Ava dragged Brad up and down the stairs, purposely making things difficult. The dress hem was covered in pearls, and Christine’s arms felt like they were on fire, but she forced herself to keep going.
Ava still wasn’t satisfied. She got a server to bring over a tray stacked with drinks and beckoned Christine over.“]
“I’m not in the mood to drink tonight, but since my friends showed up, I can’t refuse. You drink these for me.”
“I’m allergic to alcohol-” Christine started.§
“Brad, do you hear her?” Ava interrupted, pouting.
Brad knew about Christine’s allergy, but just to keep Ava happy, he said,
“You always have your allergy meds, don’t you? Just take them and have the drinks. You’ll be fine.”
His tone left no room for argument. Christine’s heart sank. She turned pale but silently took out her medication and swallowed a few pills.
Soon, guests came over, raising their glasses. Christine forced herself to drink, one after another. Her stomach turned, nausea clawing at her. Her head grew foggy, vision swimming.”
The world spun, and just as Christine thought she might collapse, Ava shrieked,§
“Brad! The necklace you gave me is gone! Your secretary was the only one near me–it had to be her!”
The accusation jolted Christine back to her senses.
“Mr. Tate, I didn’t do it.”
Brad looked between Ava, whose eyes were red with tears, and Christine, who could barely stand. His face grew stern.
“There were a lot of people around. Maybe it just got lost. Let’s look for it first, okay?”
But Ava refused to back down, yanking her hand from his.
“If you won’t search her, Brad, then don’t ever come find me again!”
She turned to leave, but Brad caught her and called for security, his voice cold.
In seconds, several security guards forced Christine to the ground, tearing at her clothes. Panic thundered in her head as she struggled,
but they were too strong. Her blouse was ripped to shreds, her dress destroyed, her skin scratched and bruised.
Humiliation washed over her, and she couldn’t stop herself from sobbing
“I didn’t do it! Please, I swear I didn’t!”
No one listened. The guards yanked at her underwear, ready to strip her completely.
Chapter 5
Brad, finally unable to watch, was about to stop them when a few waiters rushed over
“We found it! The necklace was on the stairs!”
Every eye in the room turned to the sparkling diamond necklace in the waiter’s hands.
Brad’s brow finally relaxed. He waved off the guards, then picked up the necklace and put it around Ava’s neck himself, his voice softer
“There, it’s found. No need to be upset, okay?”
Ava broke into a smile through her tears. She glanced at Christine, who was huddled on the floor, and clung to Brad’s arm, her voice syrupy sweet.
“Thank goodness we found it, or I’d be upset forever. But your secretary went through so much because of this… Should I apologize to her?”
For a moment, everyone stared at Christine, her clothes torn, her body shaking. Under their pitying–or gleeful–gaze, she curled in on herself, hugging her knees.M
Through the haze of pain and embarrassment, she heard Brad’s cold voice.
“No need. She’s just a secretary. A little hardship is nothing to worry about.””
