Chapter 2
“Scarlett, let’s have the driver take you back. Nathan should stay and hang out with us for a bit. You don’t mind, right?”
Of course I didn't mind. Trash belonged in the dumpster together.
I wanted to see what kind of circus they could pull off when I wasn't even in the building.
I waved dismissively, turned around, and left.
Yet, despite everything,
When I woke up the next morning, my face was still plastered all over the trending feeds.
The video, the articles, the vile death threats—it was identical to my past life.
Just as I pulled out my phone to demand answers from Nathan,
Two disheveled people kicked open my front door. A man lunged straight at me and planted a heavy boot into my ribs, knocking me to the hardwood floor.
“You’re that rich bitch who beat my sister to death?! Think you can drive her to suicide and get away with it? I’m gonna end you today!”
“You think poor people’s lives are trash?! You think you can stomp on us?!”
“A life for a life! Die, bitch!”
Seeing me curled up on the floor in agony, the man reared his foot back to kick me again, but building security finally rushed in and tackled him.
The moment I got a clear look at his face, ice flooded my veins.
It was him. The brute from my past life who cut off my hands and feet when the ransom failed, stuffing my body into a sack and tossing it into the sea.
I forced down the rising panic in my chest.
I had gone home early. Why was there still a video of me slapping that girl?
Why was the waitress still dead?
Why hadn't anything changed?!
Only after the guards had Brad firmly pinned down did Nathan casually stroll out from the hallway.
“Scarlett, you brought this on yourself. I can’t keep cleaning up your disgusting messes.”
“You’re cruel, cold-blooded, and terrifying.”
Just like in my previous life, Nathan instantly pinned the blame on me.
“Exactly! Nathan isn't going to cover for you this time,” Chloe sneered, stepping out from behind him.
She adjusted Nathan’s collar while glaring at me sideways.
“You didn't just cause a small scene this time. You pushed an innocent girl to kill herself!
Our company stock crashed across the board this morning. Nathan spent the entire morning dealing with the fallout and just got back, while you were sleeping in like a princess. Must be nice being you.”
Watching the two people I had once loved most join forces to destroy me, my eyes stung.
It felt like ten thousand needles piercing straight into my heart.
“One is my husband, the other my supposed best friend. Yet you two team up to frame me? What kind of sick game are you playing?”
Nathan looked slightly guilty for a split second.
He sneered defensively, “If you weren't such an awful person, would we be taking a stranger's side? Besides, there’s video evidence!”
“You beat an innocent girl senseless. We’re standing on the side of justice, not blind loyalty.”
Standing on the side of justice. What a righteous saint he made himself out to be.
“Exactly, Scarlett. Just admit what you did! You can't just bully people and dodge accountability because you’re rich!” Chloe chimed in.
“How do you expect Nathan to face the public now?”
What a rehearsed little duet. In three sentences, they had nailed me to the wall.
“And who the hell are you to lecture me in my own house?”