chapter 3

All my clothes were completely ruined—covered in paint and stains.

Seeing the room in complete disarray, I took off my ring, placed it on the bedside table, carried all the clothes to the backyard, and set them on fire.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Percival strode over and grabbed my wrist. "So what if I asked you to stay in the guest room? What's this little stunt about?"

"They're dirty. I don't want them anymore," I said, looking straight at him as the flames shot up behind me.

Lorelei let out a sharp scream. "Percival! My necklace was in there. The one my mom left me."

She rushed at me, pleading, "I'm sorry, Buffy. I know you hate me, but that necklace was the only thing I had left from my mom. Please, just give it back."

I instinctively stepped back. "These are all my clothes. Your necklace isn't here. I'm sure I've checked everything."

Percival's expression turned fierce. "Buffy, stop making a scene. Just give it back to her."

I shook my head. "Like I said, I didn't take it."

"Then prove it. Pull all those clothes apart."

He gave me a shove. I was utterly shocked. "You've lost your mind."

"You're the one who's lost it. You knew it was her late mother's necklace, and you still pulled this stunt. Don't think you can play hard to get to get my attention this way. You made your bed, now lie in it. Get over there now."

Percival started pushing me toward the fire, and when I resisted, he had his bodyguard pin my hands and shove them into the burning pile.

The intense heat terrified me. I screamed.

I said, "Percival, are you insane? This is fire. I told you—I never took her necklace. Why won't you check the security footage? I shook out every piece of clothing."

Percival frowned sharply. "Enough with the excuses. I only believe what I see. Besides, Lorelei wouldn't lie."

I turned to look at Lorelei just then. In a spot where no one else could see, the corner of her mouth lifted in a cold smirk. It hit me—it was all a lie she made up.

I fought like a madwoman, kicking and punching at the bodyguard, but they didn't believe me.

Finally, Percival lost all patience. He kicked me hard, sending me stumbling straight into the fire. I screamed as the scorching flames licked at my hands.

By the time the servants rushed over, I was already burned, covered in blisters, half my hair singed off, and my face burning with pain.

Seeing me like that, Percival ordered me, "Search through that pile of ashes for the necklace." Then, turning to the servants, he coldly added, "If she doesn't find it, no one takes her to the hospital."

With that, he strode off, carrying Lorelei, who had cried herself into a fake faint. Meanwhile, my hands were covered in blisters from the burns.

I couldn't help but laugh at the scene. Like a madwoman, I dug through the clothes that had already turned to ash.

The servants watched from the sidelines, their hearts pounding with fear.

Even the bodyguard frowned deeply. But only after I had sifted through every last bit of ash did they consider the matter over. By then, there wasn't a single patch of healthy skin left on my hands.

At this moment, the pain was so intense I couldn't even cry. With trembling hands, I saw people running toward me from not far away, and I finally broke down, throwing myself into their arms.

I said, "Mom, Dad, take me away from here."

The bodyguard tried to step forward. "Mr. Flint's orders—if it's not found, you can't leave."

"You Flints are way out of line."

Just then, Mildred arrived with her people and slapped the bodyguard hard across the face. "Have you forgotten just who it is that pays your salary?"

The bodyguard stood frozen, not daring to say a word. Mildred looked at my bruised and battered state, frowning.

Mildred said,"What a mess. Percival has really gone too far. Get her to the hospital, now."

Dad carried me out. After I was bandaged up, Mildred insisted I stay for a few more days—both to rest up and for medical observation.

I refused. "Mrs. Flint, just let us go."

Mildred had no choice but to hand over my new ID and divorce papers.

I left with my parents for the airport. Taking one last look at my phone, I pulled out the SIM card and tossed it.

Goodbye for good, Percival.