"Believe it or not, even if he knew about this, he would only feel sorry for me for working this hard for him."
My eyes widened. My heart sank as I realized it was Simon’s approval that she dared to do this.
Serena saw my shock and laughed again.
After showing a cruel smile, she seized my chin and held it steady.
The cold blade of a knife pressed against the tear mole under my eye. "I’ve always wondered why everyone says I look like you. It’s because of this mole, I see."
"But that won't matter anymore, not after today."
"Stay still. A wrong move and you’ll lose your eye along with the mole."
Serena's laughter echoed through the room.
I closed my eyes in fear, feeling the cold tip of the knife press against my skin bit by bit.
She carved away a piece of flesh, leaving a trail of warm blood behind.
When I finally dared to open my eyes, I met Serena's gaze, filled with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
"Without this mole, I’ll be the only one in Simon’s heart from now on!"
After that, she left with everyone.
I fell to my knees, feeling the warmth of my own blood mixed with tears as they hit the ground in small, red droplets. Each one a bloom on the floor.
I could not understand why this was happening.
Was this really what Simon wanted?
I took a deep breath.
I endured the pain as I groped my way along the dim light.
Not long after, I finally found a gap, pushing through and emerging directly into the center of the ballroom.
"Ahhh!"
The guests recoiled in shock as they saw me covered in blood and mud. They screamed and their eyes widened with fear.
They immediately surrounded me like I was a stranger to them.
"Oh my god, what’s going on? Why would something like this come out of the richest man’s basement?"
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
"Look at her face. It’s disfigured. God, she’s covered in blood, it’s terrifying."
Blinded by the bright lights, I shielded my eyes, but some faces in the crowd recognized me despite my condition.
"Isn’t that Mrs. Pierce? What’s she doing here?"
"And why does she look like a mess..."
As soon as the words were spoken, the room erupted into hushed whispers.
"How could she be Mr. Pierce’s wife? I just saw him following his wife, looking for someone."
"That’s Mr. Pierce’s secretary, not his wife!"
"But they were together, looking so close as if they were a couple..."
The man stopped talking mid-sentence.