A surge of fury hit me instantly.

"She's Aldo's sister! If anything happens to her, you'll all regret this!"

Carla lay in my arms. Her breathing was so faint I could barely feel it.

"Help!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Is anyone there? Help!"

A middle-aged man in uniform ran up from the ski resort entrance. It was the hotel manager, Bosco Romano. He froze when he saw Carla's pale face. Panic flashed across his features.

"What… what happened?"

"She's having an asthma attack!" I shouted hoarsely. "She needs a doctor. Let us out, now!"

Bosco looked from Carla to Laura. "Ms. Ferrari, you should let them go. If something happens, how will this resort operate in the future?"

Laura simply nodded.

I supported Carla, stumbling toward the locker room. Laura followed at her own slow, measured pace.

I stormed into the locker room and dug through Carla's bag until I found the inhaler.

As I turned, a foot shot out, knocking it from my hand. The inhaler hit the wall and bounced to the floor.

Laura crossed her arms and tilted her head, watching me. "It fell," she said. "Pick it up."

Rage surged through me.

I lunged at her and slapped her.

The sharp smack echoed in the locker room. Laura clutched her face, staring at me as if she couldn't believe what had just happened.

"If anything happens to Carla," I said, my voice trembling but not from fear. "I'll make sure you pay for it."

She let out a scream. "Roberto! Bosco! Hold her down!"

Roberto and Bosco stepped forward, grabbing my arms from behind to hold me back.

Laura lunged at me, slapping me across the face. Pain flared through me.

Slap after slap rained down on me. She landed a dozen blows. Blood filled my mouth, and my ears rang.

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth onto my collar while I pulled myself free.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Aldo's number again.

This time, he picked up.

"Aldo," I gasped. "Carla is having an asthma attack at the ski resort. You must send help now. If you wait, it will be too late."

He sounded impatient. "She has asthma, and you brought her to a ski resort? I'm busy. Call the family medical team yourself."

After ending the call, I seethed with rage.

His sister was the one with asthma!

In the next moment, Laura let out an excited squeal.

"Aldo!" she exclaimed.

Her voice was disgustingly sweet. "You're finally here!"