When Amber left the banquet hall, the people's focus was still on Ashely.
Ashely was the center of everyone's attention, the princess in the spotlight. In contrast, she was a pitiful and ignored ugly duckling, with no one caring about her coming or going.
When she stepped out, the night was deep and thick, like stubbornly unblended ink. Amber felt heavy-hearted, as though a giant rock was pressing down on her. The cool breeze added to her sense of melancholy.
Her nose stung faintly, and her eyes became blurry. Yet she held her head up stubbornly, trying to convince herself not to cry. They weren't worth her tears. Amber Hayes never imagined she would find herself in such an awkward situation on her first day back in the country.
Her once neatly tied hair had come undone, and she looked like a complete mess from head to toe. She stood rigidly in the banquet hall like a drowned rat. Her delicate champagne-colored dress was soaked and clinging to her body.
And just as expected, she was the target of mocking looks and whispers from the elegant and dignified guests surrounding her.
"Such repulsive behaviour. She even tried to seduce her elder sister's boyfriend!"
"Such a young age and already so vicious, planning to harm her own sister."
"She looks so innocent on the surface; who would've thought she'd be so shameless?"
Amber felt as though needles were piercing through her heart as all of the harsh comments fell into her ears.
Ten minutes earlier, in the garden outside the banquet hall, she had been stopped by her half-sister, Ashely Hayes.
"Amber, I know you still can't forget Trent. but he doesn't have you in his heart. Seeing us so in love every day and doing everything that lovers do, don't you feel awkward? If I were you, I'd stay overseas for the rest of my life."
Amber felt a surge of hatred well up in her heart at the sight of Ashely's arrogant face.
Indeed, she could not forget Trent Westbrock!
She and Trent were childhood sweethearts. Her love for him ran deep. They had promised each other that they would marry no one else but each other.
But everything changed when Ashely entered their family.
Ashely was her father's illegitimate child. Back then, she was young and impulsive, unable to accept her father's unfaithfulness to her mother. Especially when she learned that her stepmother, who was once very kind to her, was actually her aunt, and what's worse, the two had a child who was not much older than her.
The thought of these two being together less than a month after her mother's death felt like a betrayal, causing her to lash out and even do some reckless things.
Over time, everyone in the Hayes family has come to despise her due to her extreme willfulness. They all favored Ashely, the docile one. This included Trent!
The man betrayed her and got into a relationship with Ashely. Fearing she would harm Ashely, her father hastily sent her to England, breaking off all contact thereafter.
Amber squeezed her fists, and just as she was about to retort, she saw Ashely's face suddenly change. The smug expression was suddenly replaced by one of weakness and sympathy.
"My dear little sister, I know you have feelings for Trent. But he loves me, and we are soon to be
engaged. I hope you can give us your blessing. Ah--"
Her words were abruptly cut short by a scream as she stumbled towards the swimming pool behind her. Amber reflexively reached out a hand to catch her but failed, her hand remaining mid-air.
The guests at the party turned at the sound, and due to the scene they witnessed, they assumed she had pushed Ashely into the water.
Amber found herself under a barrage of disdainful glances. She tried to defend herself, but Ashely's cries for help underwater drowned out her words.
At that moment, a tall and lean figure hurriedly made his way through the crowd, pausing abruptly for three seconds when he passed by her.
She recognized the face she hadn't seen in two years. His handsome features, mature charm, white suit wrapping his figure, and gentle demeanor make him look like a gentleman of very high standing.
It was none other than Trent Westbrock!
He glared at her in anger, raising his hand to slap her fiercely. He said, "Amber, two years, and you have not changed a bit! Still as spiteful as ever!"
Amber staggered backward with the slap, losing her balance and falling into the swimming pool.
The icy water soaked her skin, and she shivered from the cold that seeped into her bones. She felt a sharp sting on her face, yet it failed to overshadow the pain that shattered her heart into a thousand pieces.
Pulling herself back from the whirlwind of emotions, Amber subtly wiped off the teardrop at the corner of her eyes, shifting her gaze towards the banquet hall not too far away.
There, a crowd of guests huddled, all their attention focused on Ashely with concern.
Trent tenderly held her in his arms, like she was some precious treasure.
Ashely had choked a bit on the water, and she started to recover, trying to appear pitiful as she said to Trent, “Trent, don't blame my sister; I fell because of my own carelessness.”
The man gently kissed her forehead, his face full of pity. However, his gaze towards Amber was as sharp as a knife, cold and merciless. "You don’t have to speak for her. I know very well whether you fell by yourself or not."
Amber stood alone, desolation flooding her heart. She forced a brief, bitter smile.
This scene—how similar was it?
Three years ago, on the same occasion, Trent slapped her in public for Ashely. That scum of a woman.
That one slap severed the final thread of longing she had held for him.
Now, he was reenacting history, pushing her into the spotlight to endure the same scornful glances and sneers.
Tears mixed with droplets of water from her hair kept falling; a wave of hatred surged into her heart, stirring the long-buried sorrow within Amber.
She had truly had enough!
After observing her mother's death anniversary in a few days, she would return to England.
Even if she ends up utterly lonely and helpless there, it would still be better than enduring countless humiliations here.
...
Returning to her hotel, Amber's disheveled appearance attracted numerous curious glances.
Barefooted, with her high heels held in her hand and her rounded, delicate feet exposed, she looked utterly lost.
As she passed by the reception, the receptionist called out to her, sounding somewhat anxious, "Miss, are you alright? What happened to you? Do you need any help?"
The hint of concern in the receptionist's voice made her feel somewhat warm. She quickly shook her head, responding lightly, "I'm fine. I just happened to take a fall."
"You're soaking wet; how can you possibly be alright? Please wait! I'll pour you a cup of tea to warm yourself up. Try and take care of yourself while you're here."
The receptionist hurried to prepare the tea. When she handed it to Amber, there were also two pills in her hand.
Amber thought they were probably cold medicine and silently praised the five-star hotel's excellent service. Without thinking too much about it, she took the pills and water and swallowed them instantly.
After finishing, she expressed her gratitude and took her room key to go back.
Not long after she left, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie came to the front desk and asked, "Claudia, has the woman I arranged earlier arrived?"
The receptionist answered respectfully, "Manager, she has arrived, and just as you instructed, I've given her the medication."
"That's good. The distinguished guest who's visiting tonight was entrusted to us to be cordially received. He is a person of great importance. You all need to be vigilant and offer your best service attitude to ensure his satisfaction. Do you understand?"
"Understood, manager!" Claudia replied, nodding respectfully.