Chapter 7

"THUD."

I was forced onto the freezing marble floor.

My knees crashed directly onto the shattered wooden shards of the violin.

Sharp wooden splinters stabbed deep into my flesh.

Blood instantly stained my white dress bright red.

I clenched my teeth.

I forced my spine straight.

Refusing to bow my head.

"Quite a stubborn one, aren't you?"

Tyler sneered.

He reached out, grabbed my hair, and yanked it backward with brutal force.

A tearing pain shot through my scalp.

I was forced to look up, meeting Bianca’s malice-filled eyes.

"Valerie, aren't you supposed to be so proud?"

"Didn't you think you were so special just because you can play the violin?"

Bianca walked up to me.

She slowly squatted down.

Lowering her voice so only the two of us could hear.

"To be honest, yes, I smashed the violin."

"I just wanted you to know that as long as I want it, everything that belongs to Julian is mine."

"Including your dignity, and your pride."

"I can step on them and crush them into dust whenever I want!"

She stood up, instantly switching back to her fragile, pitiful act.

"Valerie, just apologize."

"If you apologize, I’ll pay for the violin for you."

"You’re just an orphan. How could you ever afford $45 million?"

Victoria sneered.

"Bianca, you’re just too soft-hearted."

"An ungrateful stray like her deserves to rot in prison!"

"Tyler, since she refuses to bow."

"Give her a real lesson!"

"Make sure she never forgets this!"