“Easton, are you sure it’s alright not to save Miss Debbie?”
Charlie’s timid voice broke the silence.
Hiding behind the curtains, I clearly saw the fleeting flash of triumph in her eyes.
Easton let out a cold laugh, his tone indifferent.
‘She’s treated you terribly so many times. This is nothing more than a small punishment. Besides, her skin is thick enough–getting roughed up a little won’t kill her.”
Connor smirked and added disdainfully, “She has offended too many people. If something really happens to her, it’s her own karma. Charlie, you’re too kind. For someone as vicious as her, ever leath would be well deserved.”
My pupils contracted sharply.
Not only was I no longer in their hearts–they even hated me. They wanted me gone.
‘ain twisted in my chest, and I bent over as if struck.
Charlie’s lips curved into a hidden smile, though her voice remained pitifully soft.
No matter what, the young lady is still your fiancée. In seven days, she’ll officially marry one o ou. For my sake, you pushed her toward that drunkard… I’m so touched, but I’m just the laughter of a servant…”
Her words faltered delicately, her lashes trembling.
I’m just afraid… once she returns from the bar, she’ll retaliate against me. If it were only me, vouldn’t mind. But what if she targets you instead, just because of me?”
Her eyes glistened with tears, full of fear and concern as she looked up at them.
The men melted instantly. They pulled her into their arms, their voices dripping with comfort.
We won’t let Debbie hurt you again, don’t worry.”
Everything she suffers is of her own making–it has nothing to do with you.”
Connor thumped his chest with conviction, his gaze was tender.
The Sinclair family may be one of the five great clans, but they can’t withstand the combinec night of the remaining four. If Debbie dares to lay a hand on you…” His tone darkened.
…then we’ll destroy the Sinclair family first.”
Seeing the approving looks on their faces, my eyes widened in disbelief, unable to believe what I was hearing.
So it wasn’t just me–they even wanted to destroy the Sinclair family!
Easton stroked Charlie’s cheek with tenderness.
“I know what you’re worried about. But don’t be afraid. No matter whom Debbie chooses among us, the one we love will always be you. I’ll make all the arrangements. And if she doesn’t know her place–then she has only herself to blame.”
A ruthless glint flashed across his face.
My heart lurched, and in my panic I tugged too hard–the curtain swayed.
Chapter 2
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3:19 pm
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Their heads snapped toward me.
“Who’s there!”
All their eyes landed on me.
No longer able to hide, I stepped out slowly, my face was blank.
Their expressions shifted instantly. Old habits made them move toward me, as if they wanted to explain–but Charlie was faster.
Her gaze flickered with malice before she plastered on a mask of fear. She rushed toward me voice quivering.
“Miss Debbie?! Why are you back so soon?”
Her eyes welled with tears.
‘Miss, you’re not hurt, are you? Please don’t misunderstand–when Easton pulled you toward tha drunkard, it was only because the situation was urgent. It should have been me who took the blow for you.”
Her voice broke as she sobbed.
‘Don’t blame them… It’s all my fault. Let me apologize.”
Without waiting for my response, she lunged forward.
The window behind me wasn’t closed. Her sudden shove sent me reeling backward, my balance slipping.
Ah!” Charlie screamed shrilly.
nstinctively, my eyes darted to Easton.
Once, before everything fell apart, he would have crossed the world to protect me before I ever stumbled.
Now, without hesitation–he caught Charlie instead.
The others didn’t even glance at me. They crowded around her, voices filled with tenderness. Charlie, are you hurt? You’re too foolish–why would you beg on her behalf?”
That’s right. Even if you had said nothing, she wouldn’t dare touch us.”
Not one of them noticed me clinging desperately to the window frame, fighting for my life.
Only when Charlie had basked in enough of their affection did she finally gesture toward me imidly, tears sparkling in her eyes.
Easton, Connor… maybe you should save Miss Debbie. Otherwise, I’m afraid she’ll hold a grudge. If she ever went after my mother, what would I do?”
Her crystalline tears slid down her cheeks.
The men’s hearts ached at the sight.
Their gazes hardened, turning on me with fury.
“Debbie,” Easton barked first, “you know the situation was urgent! It was only a stopgap. Why are you lashing out at Charlie?”
Connor and Hayden followed, frowning deeply.
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“Debbie, we know you’re not like this, but today you’ve gone too far. Apologize to Charlie–or don’t expect us to pull you up.”
I gave a hollow laugh. Did they think I still hoped for their rescue?
I clung on with bloodied fingers, inching upward with all my strength.
But just as I was about to climb back in, Easton’s hand clamped down on my wrist.
n disbelief, I met his eyes as he slowly, ruthlessly pried my fingers off the window ledge one by
one.
‘Easton! Are you insane?!”
screamed, nails tearing against the wood, my hands raw and bleeding as I refused to let go. But the man who once couldn’t bear to see even a scratch on me acted as though he sav
othing, coldly peeling my grip away.
His voice was calm, but his words were sharp like knives.
Debbie, we spoiled you too much. That’s why you’ve become this vicious. It’s only the secon loor–at worst you’ll break a few bones. If you won’t apologize, then take this as a lesson.”
Connor and the others came over.
Hayden hesitated, glancing at me with faint concern. “Maybe we should pull her up… Debbie is fraid of pain. If she falls, she’ll cry for days.”
Vithout batting an eyelid, Easton spat coldly, “She needs the pain to remember.”
Connor even stopped Charlie when she tried to intervene, gently comforting her as though she vere the one about to fall.
At that moment, I knew–whether I apologized or not, they were going to let me fall.
looked at them one last time, erasing every shred of feeling I had left.
hen I let go.
