The moment Kevin arrived at the villa, his phone wouldn't stop ringing. He had no choice but to lock himself in a room to attend an urgent conference call with his business partners.
The second he was gone, Stefanie and her group of pampered friends became even more brazen.
They found every excuse imaginable to make Venice run errands—mostly to keep brewing coffee for them.
By the third round up and down the villa, the old wound on her leg began to throb again. Still, Venice gritted her teeth and made a fourth pot, carefully adjusting the beans and the water temperature to suit Stefanie's preferences.
But after a single sip, Stefanie's brows furrowed in disdain.
"Venice, this tastes like dishwater. No wonder your café failed—you can't even make a decent cup of coffee!"
Venice turned to leave, expression taut, but the girl in the yellow dress grabbed her arm. Before she could react, Stefanie took the steaming cup and flung its contents straight at her.
Hot coffee splashed across Venice's face and neck, burning her skin. The pain and humiliation ignited something deep inside her.
Venice finally lost control—she lunged forward and yanked the hair of the girl in the yellow dress. In an instant, chaos erupted. Screams, curses, and the sound of chairs scraping filled the air as several people joined the fray.
"Venice!"
Stefanie's sudden shriek cut through the commotion. Everyone froze.
She was standing at the edge of the pool, clutching the pendant necklace in her hand.
"Can we stop now, Venice?" she asked sweetly.
Venice's expression changed instantly.
[Give me that necklace back!]
Stefanie tilted her head, her smile sharp. "You want it? Then come get it."
Venice didn't think twice—she lunged forward, reaching for it.
But just as her fingers brushed the hem of Stefanie's gown, the woman let out a startled gasp. Her heel twisted, and she toppled backward—dragging Venice with her into the pool.
"Ahhh!"
The icy water swallowed them both.
Venice struggled to surface, but Stefanie's foot pressed down on her shoulder, forcing her under.
"Help! Kevin, help me!" Stefanie shrieked, thrashing wildly.
Inside the villa, Kevin had just finished his call when he heard the commotion. He rushed outside, saw the figures flailing in the pool, and without a second's hesitation, tore off his jacket and dove in.