Chapter 4

Freya stood to the side, silently observing the unfolding scene. Mia strode over, her contempt undisguised. “Nice party setup, but there’s a problem—no carpet in the main hall, and my dress is getting dirty. To make up for your oversight, hold my train.”

Freya kept her eyes down, her voice steady. “One moment. We have spare carpet backstage. I’ll have it laid down immediately.”

Seeing Freya’s refusal, Mia’s face darkened. Jasper entered then, instantly noticing Mia’s expression and hurrying to her side. “What’s up?”

“Babe, I don’t want my dress ruined. I asked your assistant to hold my train, and she completely ignored me. Is she still angry about the other day?”

Seeing Mia’s hurt expression, Jasper pulled her close and shot Freya an icy glare. “It’s just holding a dress. That’s literally your job description. You’ve been my assistant long enough to handle basic requests without the attitude.”

The guests began whispering. “An assistant giving Mia Carter lip? Know your place, honey!” “Some people are born to be catered to, others to do the catering. Being asked to hold her dress should be considered a privilege—don’t act so entitled.”

Hearing these cutting remarks, Freya’s spirit dimmed. She swallowed her pride and bent to lift the train. Mia paraded Jasper around the venue, clearly enjoying Freya’s discomfort. The dress hem, heavy with pearls, burned Freya’s arms, but she gritted her teeth.

Unsatisfied, Mia had someone bring several drinks and gestured to Freya. “I’m not in the mood to drink tonight, but with everyone here, I can’t refuse. Knock these back for me.”

“I’m allergic to alcohol…”

“Jasper, are you hearing this?” Mia interrupted with a whine.

Jasper knew about Freya’s allergy, but to appease Mia, he said, “Don’t you carry your medication? Take a few—you’ll live.” His tone brooked no argument, and Freya felt her heart sink. Her face paled as she silently retrieved her pills and swallowed them. Soon, guests approached with toasts, and she forced down drink after drink.

Her stomach revolted violently. Her head felt like wet cement, her vision swimming. As the room sickeningly tilted, she heard Mia’s shriek.

“Jasper! The necklace you gave me is gone! Your assistant was the only one near me—she must have stolen it!”

Through the haze, Freya briefly rallied. “Mr. Whitemore, it wasn’t me.”

Jasper glanced between Mia’s tearful eyes and Freya’s intoxicated state, his expression hardening. “It’s crowded—maybe it just fell off. Let’s look around first?”

Mia refused. She yanked her hand away. “If not her, then who? I’m freaking out because you gave me that necklace. If you won’t search her, don’t bother texting me again!”

As she stormed off, Jasper caught her arm, then snapped his fingers at security. In seconds, several guards threw Freya to the floor, tearing at her clothes. Panic surged as she fought desperately against their grasp. Her blouse shredded like tissue paper, her skirt ripped away. Her skin was raw, bruised, and bleeding. Humiliation crashed over her as she sobbed. “I didn’t take it! Please, I swear to God!” Her pleas only intensified their roughness.

The guards reached for her underwear, about to strip her completely. Jasper, unable to bear it any longer, was about to intervene when several waiters ran up.

“Found it! The necklace was on the stairs!”

Every eye in the room fixed on the dazzling diamond in their hands. Jasper’s rigid expression softened as he dismissed the security team. He took the necklace and fastened it around Mia’s neck.

“See? Crisis averted. We good now?”

Mia’s tears vanished, replaced by a smile. Glancing at Freya’s broken form on the floor, she clung to Jasper’s arm and said sweetly, “Thank God we found it, or I’d have been a mess. But your assistant got really roughed up over this… should I say something to her?”

Every predatory gaze in the room fell upon Freya’s exposed body. Under their hungry stares, she could only curl into herself, her arms wrapped tightly around her. Through the crushing shame, she heard Jasper’s cold voice:

“No need. She’s just an assistant. A little public humiliation won’t kill her.”