Chapter 6

Back then, Marcus had sweet-talked me into taking those private photos.

I thought they were a private record of our love.

I never thought they would be used as a weapon to destroy me!

Marcus looked at Chloe with a gentle smile.

"Chloe, do you like your apology gift?"

Chloe’s lips curled up.

"You're terrible! I thought you didn't love me anymore. It turns out you were planning this grand surprise."

"I guess I can forgive you this time!"

Marcus pulled her into his arms, cooing, "Thank you, babe. You have the best heart."

Chloe crossed her arms, turning away with a pout.

"One thing at a time. She still hasn't apologized to me!"

Marcus understood immediately. He ordered his security guards to drag me over to Chloe.

"Hazel, apologize!"

I bit my lip hard, telling myself that these people weren't worth my tears.

Yet, my eyes still burned.

"What if I say no?"

Chloe suddenly grabbed a handful of my hair.

A sharp pain shot through my scalp.

"If you don't apologize, I'll make sure everyone here gets a printed copy of your beautiful body!"

She patted my cheek condescendingly with a stack of printed photos.

I let out a cold laugh.

With a sudden burst of energy, I stood up, grabbed her hair with one hand, and delivered a fierce slap with the other.

SLAP!

The crisp sound echoed through the entire hall.

"A cheap homewrecker like you doesn't deserve my apology!"

Marcus was furious.

He kicked me hard in the stomach.

"That's enough, Hazel! My patience is wearing thin! Since you threw away the chance I gave you, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

With a wave of his hand, he threw the photos into the air.

They fluttered down like snow, landing all over the auction hall.

At the same time, the scandal of the retired actress went viral on social media.

The internet erupted.

The people at the venue were quick to join in.

"Wow, look at this one. This is so dirty!"

"She must have been unfaithful. Otherwise, why would Marcus humiliate her like this?"

"Do you think she cheated on him? Didn't she give him a son? Maybe the kid isn't even his!"

"So cheap. Who knows how many men she’s slept with."

Their words were like poisoned arrows, trying to pierce through my armor.

Marcus held Chloe, looking down at me.

"Are you going to apologize now?"

I smiled.

Instead of apologizing, I stood up straight.

A flash of confusion crossed his eyes. He didn't seem to understand why I was being so stubborn this time.

In the past, whenever he gave me a look—whether it was my fault or not—I would always bow my head and apologize.

Why was I making such a big scene today?

"Is this the only trick you have left?" I asked.

"Who is the dirty one here? I don't care about anything anymore. I don't care about you, and I certainly don't care about what these people think of me."

"Do you have any other pathetic tricks? If not, I'm leaving."

The crowd went quiet.

Unlike the mocking before, many now looked at me with a trace of respect.

But Marcus panicked.

He could feel that I was serious this time.

If he didn't say something now, I might really walk out of his life forever.

He took a step forward to speak, but a group of men suddenly rushed in and shielded me.

"I'm sorry, Hazel. I'm late."