As the footsteps got closer, one bridesmaid stepped in front of them.
"You want Eliza to come out? Sure."
"But first, you have to pass our little challenge."
With that, she yanked me out of the room.
I didn't even have time to react before I was shoved into the hallway.
The moment the groomsmen saw me, their eyes lit up.
"Is she a bridesmaid too? She's pretty cute."
The bridesmaid pinched my arm hard—hidden behind a sweet smile.
"Relax. The game's easy."
"All you have to do is find eighty-eight red envelopes hidden on her. Once you find them all, we'll consider letting you in to get the bride."
"Remember—every one of them needs to be found."
"What, from her?" The men looked me up and down, their gazes making my skin crawl.
I snapped, my voice was cold, "I'm telling you—anyone who lays a finger on me will regret it."
The hallway fell silent for a beat. Then Eliza's voice floated out from inside the room, syrupy sweet. "Don't be scared! This is just part of the game!"
"If you can handle the pressure and still finish the challenge, it shows you truly have sincerity, right?"
The men exchanged glances—then grinned.
"Well, if it's part of the game, we can't disappoint, can we?"
"Sorry in advance, Miss. We won't hold back!"
Before I could react, countless hands were suddenly reaching toward me.
The cold shock of unfamiliar touches made my entire body stiffen.
I jerked away instinctively and bolted toward the door—but someone grabbed me from behind, yanking me back.
"Oh—she's running! Another part of the challenge, huh?"
"Makes it more exciting!"
Someone hooked my ankle, and I stumbled forward, crashing onto the sofa.
Laughter erupted around me as several bodies closed in, their weight pinning me down.
Panic surged through my chest—my breath coming in tight, painful bursts.
I clawed at my dress, refusing to let it be pulled away. "Let go of me—!"
But the bridesmaids only laughed harder in the corner, filming with their phones.
"Come on! The livelier the games, the luckier Eliza's wedding will be!"
"Don't hold back—she loves men!"
Very quickly, they started finding more and more red envelopes on me.
But calling it a "search" was a joke—they were openly taking advantage of me, hands creeping wherever they pleased.
I had no idea how many times I'd already been grabbed.
Shame and fear tangled together, suffocating me.