Chapter 4

Daniel guided me back to the Hayes mansion using the GPS on my phone, speaking in a calm, steady voice that cut through my panic. He told me he would handle everything, and for some reason, I believed him. By the time I stumbled through a back entrance he'd left open, the men Chloe had sicced on me were being questioned by local police in the Millers' driveway. Daniel had made one quiet phone call, and suddenly, my "hysterical" story had become a credible report of assault.

He was waiting for me in the kitchen, a first-aid kit open on the table. He didn't ask questions. He just gently took my bloody hand, cleaned the cuts from the broken glass, and bandaged them with practiced care.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice hoarse.

"They won't bother you again," he said, his eyes meeting mine. They were dark and observant, and for the first time, I felt like someone was actually seeing me, not the role I was playing.

I spent the night in my room, sleep refusing to come. The next morning, I went downstairs to find Alexander waiting for me in the foyer. He looked annoyed. Chloe stood behind him, looking pale and wronged.

"You caused quite a mess, Scarlett," Alexander said, his voice low and tight. "Chloe's family is very influential. You've embarrassed me."

He didn't ask if I was okay. He didn't mention the shed, or the men. He just stood there, blaming me.

I looked at him, at his perfect suit and his cold, angry eyes, and I felt nothing. The love I'd held for him for five years had been burned out of me in a dark shed and a cold, dismissive phone call. It was gone. All that was left was a hollow space.

"I did what I had to do to survive," I said, my voice empty of emotion. "You're the one who sent me to her."

I walked past him without another word. I went back to my room, showered, and looked at my reflection. My face was scratched, my arm was bruised from the fall, and my hand was bandaged. I looked broken. But I didn't feel broken. I felt... determined.

I would see this through. I would get my five million dollars, and I would get my freedom. But the plan had changed. It wasn't just about exposing Alexander anymore. It was about protecting the one person in this house who had shown me a shred of human decency.

A week later, Alexander summoned me to his study. He had a new task.

"There's a charity gala this weekend," he said, not bothering to look up from his computer. "The entire family will be there. Including Daniel. I want you to make your move."

"What kind of move?"

"Get his attention. Make Chloe jealous. I don't care how, just do it," he said dismissively. He tossed a velvet box onto the desk. "Wear this."

I opened it. A simple but elegant diamond necklace. A collar.

"And Scarlett," he added, finally looking at me. "Try to blend in this time. Don't make a scene."

The night of the gala, I put on the plain black dress Liam had provided and the diamond necklace. I looked elegant, understated, and completely invisible. I stayed in the background, nursing a glass of water, watching the wealthy and powerful mingle.

I saw Daniel across the room, surrounded by a few people, looking bored. Chloe was flitting from group to group, soaking up the attention. Alexander was in his element, holding court, a confident smile on his face.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was one of Chloe's friends, a smug-looking man from the party at the country house.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in," he sneered, looking me up and down. "I'm surprised you're showing your face after the lies you told about us."

"The police didn't seem to think they were lies," I said coolly.

His face darkened. "You better watch yourself. You don't belong here."

As he walked away, I felt Alexander's presence behind me.

"What did I tell you?" he hissed in my ear, his fingers gripping my arm tightly. "Stay out of trouble. Your only focus is Daniel. Now go over there and do your job."

His grip was like a steel band, a reminder of who was supposed to be in control. I looked across the room at Daniel, who was now watching me with a curious expression. The game was on. But Alexander had no idea I wasn't the only one playing.