Scarlett's POV:
Just like Abner had advised, I went to the party with Linda.I had been to this kind of gathering
before.But until now, I was still not used to it.I did not like drinking either.
After all, alcohol was the most common excuse people used after making a mistake.
The first thing I saw when I entered the private room were several men with bulging bellies and empty
wine bottles.It appeared that they had been drinking long before Linda and I had arrived.A fat, bald
man waved at me and said, "You're late.Miss Riley, why don't you sit next to me? I have something to
tell you."
He then glanced at the young blonde woman who was sitting next to him.
As if on cue, the woman, probably his secretary, stood up and offered her seat to me.
"This is Mr.Valdez, the CEO of Valdez Group,"
Linda whispered in my ear before I walked over to him.
I immediately understood what she meant by that.
That man was someone I could not afford to offend.
He had invited me enthusiastically.
It would be disrespectful to decline.
As I slowly made my way to him, I unconsciously tugged the hem of my dress, lengthening it for an inch
or two.I sat next to Mr.Valdez and forced a smile.
"Scarlett, you're more beautiful than I thought.When I first saw you on TV, I thought your legs under
your skirt must be smooth and enticing."
Mr.Valdez looked at me with a lecherous gaze and even put his hand on my thigh.I felt that the smile on
my face must be stiff.
"You must be more beautiful in bed.Scarlett, a lady like you should wear short skirts often, so you can
make more men think with their dicks."
Mr.Valdez continued to make lewd and sexist remarks, and the men he was with laughed heartily at his
jokes.
I felt humiliated and indignant.I felt an urge to kick him on the part where it hurt the most.But, of course,
I could not do that.Unable to do anything, I took a deep breath and restrained myself.
"If you say so, Mr.Valdez.I will consider your suggestion," I replied with a forced smile.
It was obviously a lie.
If only I could, I would tell him to go fuck himself.
Sadly, saying that would cost me my job.
Mr.Valdez lit a cigarette and turned to Linda.
"Linda, you have an obedient subordinate here.But she's still a newbie.You should teach her more."
"I will, Mr.Valdez."
Linda agreed with a smile.
Just as I thought that verbal sexual abuse was the worst part of the drinking culture, the guests began
to take turns to propose a toast to Mr.Valdez.
When it was my turn, everyone looked at me expectantly.
I looked at Linda unconsciously and noticed that she was also cheering for me.
Only then did I realize that at work parties, young girls were always at a disadvantage.
Stifling my distaste, I raised my glass and clinked it with Mr.Valdez's.
He smiled happily and drank the wine in one gulp.
Not wanting to put myself in a bad light, I plucked up the courage and did the same thing.
I thought that compromising was enough, so this dreadful experience would soon be over.
But it turned out that the worse was yet to come.
Mr.Valdez began filling my glass with alcohol again and again.
As I did not want to offend him, I had no choice but to drink it every time.
My mind became fuzzy not long after, and it continued until the rest of the party.
God.
I had never drunk so much in my life.
Once the party was over, Linda told me she would wait for me at the gate.
She just had to see other guests off first.
My head was spinning so badly that I had to fean against the wall when I walked.
With my remaining consciousness, I contemplated whether to call someone or just hold out, hoping I
would not end up sleeping on the streets for the night.
The first choice seemed more logical.
But on second thought, I had no idea who to call.
With that, I supported myself on the wall and continued walking.
"Here you are, Scarlett.You're drunk.Do you want to go upstairs and take a rest?"
A creepy and ominous voice came from behind.
It was that old geezer, Mr.Valdez.
When he spoke, he put his hands on my waist and fumbled around.His touch made me feel sick to the
stomach.
But thanks to this, my foggy mind became clear in an instant.
"No, thank you, Mr.Valdez.I should go home now, or my family will be worried sick."
While resisting the impulse to beat him, I shook off his hand and walked forward.
Fortunately, there were guests in the corridor, so he did not insist.
I immediately saw Linda when I arrived at the entrance.
She walked up to me and supported my body.
"Honey, you look tired.Let me call a Uber for you."
"No need.I'll drive her home," a familiar voice said.
I turned around and saw Abner marching towards me and Linda with a fierce look on his face.
He yanked me away from Linda's hand, and my face bumped into his chest.
"Linda, I asked you to take care of Scarlett, didn't I? Why did you push her to Mr.Valdez? Scarlett isn't
that kind of girl.I hope this incident won't happen again!" Abner ordered.
Judging from the tone of this voice, he was furious.
He held me in his arms and solemnly said, "Scarlett, I'm sorry I'm late."
I could tell from the pain in his voice that he was guilty.I appreciated his help, but I did not have the
strength to respond.
My eyes closed slowly.
And before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
The next morning, I was awakened by a loud noise.
"You bastard! Where did you take her last night?" a familiar voice bellowed.
It was Charles.
My eyes fluttered open, and I ran to the living room as fast as I could.
In the living room, I saw Charles beating the hell out of Abner on the floor.
A few steps away from them, a vase lay in pieces.
The veins on Charles's forehead bulged in anger.
What was more, his eyes were so fierce as though he was going to kill Abner.
I was terrified of what would happen next.
So, without thinking, I rushed over and stopped Charles.
"Charles, what are you doing? Stop it!"
I shouted at the top of my lungs.
Unfortunately, my words had no effect on Charles, and he just pushed me away.
If it were not for the sofa behind me, I would have fallen on the floor and got hurt.
"Charles, what the hell are you doing?"
Abner pushed Charles away and rushed to my aid.
Charles also stood up and looked at me blankly as if he could not believe what he had done.
"Charles, why did you hit him?" I angrily asked.
There were far more important things to worry about than myself.
For instance, Abner was beaten black and blue.
Instead of answering my question, Charles asked back, "He took you to the work party, didn't he?"
"He didn't! I went there myself! Social engagements are necessary for work,"
I fired back.To my surprise, what I had said angered Charles even more.He pushed Abner out of his
way and grabbed my hand.
"Scarlett, I can give you the whole world.Just tell me.Don't do this to yourself.And, for fuck's sake, don't
torture me like this!"
Charles closed his eyes and frowned deeply as if repressing pain.
I opened my eyes wide, incredulous with what I had heard.I even thought that I was only hallucinating.
Charles was once my whole world, but not anymore.
Bitterness flashed through my heart at the thought of this.
"Scarlett, don't attend those kinds of social engagements anymore.Where did that jerk touch you? Go,
take a shower."
Charles grabbed my hand and dragged me to the bathroom.I shook off his hand.
"You're worried that someone might have touched me.Is it because you're scared that I'd cheat on
you?"
"That's not what I mean."
Charles hoisted me up over his shoulder and walked to the bathroom.
"Charles, you jerk! Put me down!" I roared angrily.
"No way!" Charles retorted.
The two of us yelled at each other, completely forgetting that Abner was still in the living room.
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