Third Person POV

Time flew by. Chelsea was still reviewing some documents at home when Magnus pulled up in his car to pick her up.

She tucked the papers into her bag and got in without a word.

The car ride was quiet, and before long, they pulled up to the KTV lounge she had chosen.

As soon as they stepped into the private room, the loud, pounding music made her instinctively frown.

“There you are, Chelsea!” Sabrina called out, quickly rushing over. “Come sit here!”

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Chelsea’s hand and led her right to the center of the room.

“They were supposed to welcome me back today,” Sabrina said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “but Magnus insisted on making it your belated birthday party. So here I am, just tagging along.”

She gave Chelsea a look filled with mock sincerity. “See how much Magnus loves you? I hope you don’t mind me being here.”

Chelsea scanned the room quietly. Nearly everyone in the booth was either a friend of Sabrina’s or Magnus’s. A soft, humorless chuckle rose in her throat.

So this was her birthday celebration? Looked more like Sabrina’s welcome party in disguise.

Just then, Michaela came over, holding two glasses of wine.

“Chelsea, I’m really sorry about yesterday,” she said sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to push you like that. Please don’t be mad.”

She extended one of the glasses toward Chelsea.

Chelsea’s eyes flicked from the drink to Magnus, who was lounging nearby, silently smoking. He didn’t say a word or make a move.

A repeat of the same trick.

She wasn’t that naïve.

“If you’re sincerely apologizing, Michaela, then of course I forgive you,” Chelsea said, smiling. “But how about this—if you're really sorry, drink three glasses yourself. Then we’re good.”

Michaela’s expression changed instantly. Her hand trembled just slightly.

So the drink was spiked.

Before the tension could settle, Sabrina cut in.

“Oh, come on, Chelsea. Michaela’s just a kid. Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far?”

She reached over and nudged the wine glass toward Chelsea again.

Chelsea stared at it for a long moment. Then her voice came out calm and clear.

“If she’s just a kid, then why don’t you drink it for her?”

“You—!” Sabrina froze, completely thrown off.

She hadn’t expected Chelsea to turn the tables so easily.

“Enough.” A cold voice rang out from the corner.

It was Magnus. He stubbed out his cigarette and slowly stood up.

“Chelsea, how long are you going to keep this up? Michaela already apologized. Why are you making things difficult?”

He stepped forward, his voice sharp and impatient. “Everyone’s here trying to give you a proper birthday, and this is how you act? Is this the kind of behavior your family raised you with?”

He reached out, took the wine from Sabrina’s hand, and gently pulled her behind him, shielding her like she was something precious.

“Drink it. Don’t ruin everyone’s mood.”

He placed the glass in front of Chelsea, his voice full of command and ice.

Chelsea looked at the drink, then slowly raised her gaze to the man she had loved for four years.

And in that moment, her heart shattered into pieces that she couldn’t gather anymore.

She checked the time. She had no desire to keep playing along with their twisted show. Without saying a word, she turned to leave.

But Magnus wasn’t done.

He grabbed her wrist, yanking her backward with force. As a result, she crashed onto the sofa, pain shooting through her.

Before she could react, he gripped her jaw tightly and forced the wine down her throat.

Chelsea choked, struggling, but his grip was iron.

No one stopped him. No one helped. Around her, people only watched, some amused, some indifferent.

Her vision blurred as the humiliation burned through her. And when the last drop of that wine was shoved down her throat, Magnus finally let go.

Gasping for air, Chelsea shoved him away with all her strength. She grabbed her bag and bolted for the restroom.

Third Person POV

After throwing up everything she could, until there was nothing left, Chelsea finally stopped. Her hands dropped to her sides, exhausted.

She stared at herself in the mirror—disheveled hair, smeared makeup, eyes red and glassy. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

'What exactly am I so upset about? Is it the three years I'd spent by his side? Or the foolish hope that maybe, just maybe, Magnus has a heart?' she wondered.

Deep down, she’d known tonight was a trap. A setup disguised as a celebration. But some small part of her still hoped that, after everything they’d been through, he would spare her some dignity.

But she was wrong.

Another look at her reflection, the mess caused by tears and struggle, and her heart clenched. The tears she’d held back finally spilled over.

Taking a deep breath, she fixed her makeup, straightened her outfit, and pulled herself together. Then, without looking back, she walked out of the bathroom and into a different private room.

The moment she opened the door, a deep, smooth voice greeted her.

“There you are, Miss Schneider. I was beginning to think you stood me up.”

She smiled politely. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Malcom. Something came up on the way here. To make it up to you, how about I drink three glasses as an apology?” She reached for a glass on the table, ready to down it, but the man sitting across from her gently stopped her.

“Please, there's no need for that. A gentleman should know how to wait for a lady,” Alaric said with a charming smile. “Let’s talk about the contract first.”

He pulled out a file from beside him and invited her to sit down.

Years ago, they’d briefly met at a formal party. She remembered him well, even though his family had moved their business overseas not long after. Now, he was back—and he wasn’t just anyone anymore. Alaric was the current head of the Malcom Corporation.

Chelsea had only found out last night that he’d returned to the country. Remembering that her father still had overseas projects pending—and that this very KTV was part of the Malcom family’s holdings—she decided to reach out.

She hadn’t expected him to agree to meet her so quickly, let alone be this open to working together.

Their meeting went smoothly. The conversation was pleasant and productive. But just as Alaric offered to drive her home, trouble arrived—right at the entrance of the KTV.

“Oh my god, Chelsea! There you are! We’ve been looking all over for you!” Sabrina’s voice was loud and cheery as she rushed forward and grabbed Chelsea’s arm.

“You said you were going to the bathroom, but you never came back. Everyone was getting worried! Come on, everyone’s waiting for you!”

She tugged at Chelsea’s arm, trying to drag her back inside. But Chelsea stood her ground.

“If you all want to go back in, be my guest. I’ve got things to do—I’m leaving.”

She pulled her arm free and turned to get into Alaric’s car. But Sabrina quickly caught her again.

“Aw, come on, Chelsea. We were just messing around earlier. Don’t be so sensitive! Don’t ruin the mood for everyone, okay?”

She tried to pull Chelsea back again, but this time, Alaric stepped in. He caught Chelsea’s other hand and gently pulled her to his side. He noticed her reluctance, so he couldn't help but make a move.

“Miss,” he said to Sabrina, his tone calm but firm, “can’t you see she doesn’t want to go back in?”

That’s when Sabrina finally looked him in the face.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Malcom!” she said, her voice suddenly becoming much more polite.

“It’s nothing serious—just a little joke we played earlier. Chelsea got a bit upset, that’s all. We just came to find her so everyone could apologize, smooth things over.”

Still smiling, she tried once again to pull Chelsea away, but her efforts were futile.

Then Magnus appeared. He didn’t say a word as he walked up and grabbed Chelsea’s hand. With a little force, he yanked her straight into his arms.

“You—” Alaric started to speak, but held back.

“Oh, Mr. Malcom,” Sabrina chirped again with a sweet smile, “Don’t worry, it’s just a little lovers’ spat. They’ll be fine in a bit. You must be busy. Why don’t you go ahead and take care of your things?”

Without giving him a chance to respond, she reached over and opened Alaric’s car door, as if dismissing him.

Third Person POV

“Oh, come on, Chelsea! We were all just messing around with you. Let’s go back in and have some cake,” Sabrina said cheerfully, just as Alaric’s car disappeared around the corner.

She turned around and, with a gentle push, nudged Chelsea and Magnus back into the KTV. But the moment the private room door opened, Sabrina shoved Chelsea hard. She stumbled forward, nearly falling onto the floor, and by the time she turned around, the door had already been locked from the outside.

“Sabrina! Let me out!” Chelsea shouted, banging her fists on the door. But no one answered. The hallway outside was silent.

She had no idea how long she had been trapped in that room before the door creaked open again. But it wasn’t Sabrina. It wasn’t anyone she knew.

Instead, four men swaggered in—grimy, leering, and unmistakably thuggish.

“Well, would you look at that,” one of them smirked. “She’s a real looker.”

“Hah! Didn’t expect to get so lucky tonight. We get paid and we get to have some fun?”

“Next time something like this comes up, don’t forget to call me too, man…”

Laughing crudely, the four men started closing in on her.

Chelsea clutched her bag tightly, backing away step by step. Her hand trembled as she reached for the small knife she’d hidden there earlier—just in case. She’d only arranged to meet Alaric here so she’d have a way out. But things clearly didn’t go to plan.

Now, her last shred of hope was the blade in her shaking hands.

The men kept coming, forcing her all the way into a corner.

“W-What do you want?” she asked, voice barely steady.

“Relax, sweetheart. We’ll be gentle,” the one in front sneered, exchanging a look with the others. They then spread out and surrounded her.

“No need to be scared, baby,” he whispered. “Let me take you to heaven…”

He lunged at her.

But before he could grab her, Chelsea pulled the knife and slashed it across his arm.

“Damn, this one’s got claws!” he growled, but instead of backing off, he grinned wider, admiring the blood on his skin.

“I like ’em feisty,” he chuckled, then approached her with a grin plastered on his face, while also starting to unbuckle his belt. He then gestured to the others to tie her up.

The other three followed. They yanked the knife from her hands and pinned her down onto the couch. No matter how hard she struggled, she was no match for four grown men.

“Let me go!” she screamed. “If my father finds out, he’ll make you all pay!”

But they only laughed.

One of them started tearing at her clothes. “I’m begging you… please… just let me go…”

However, her pleas only fell on deaf ears. Her body shook as she sobbed beneath them, her last defenses literally being ripped away.

In the end, she closed her eyes in despair.

But just as the final shred of her dignity was about to be torn off, the door burst open with a loud crash.