Chapter 3
Their frozen state quickly drew the attention of the deranged man. In a heartbeat, he charged toward Violet. The madman’s frenzied behavior drained the color from her face. Survival instinct made her step back, but catching a glimpse of Cersei from the corner of her eye, she suddenly changed her mind. As the attacker rushed forward, Violet grabbed Cersei and shoved her forward. Caught completely off guard, she lost her balance and fell directly into the path of the man with the knife.
“Ah-!”
“Cersei!” Louis’s pupils contracted in horror. He moved to run toward her—but Violet clung to his sleeve, sobbing in apparent terror.
“Louis, please! He’s crazy! I’m so scared… Take me away, please take me away first…”
She wept uncontrollably while Louis hesitated, looking at Cersei who was now being choked by the throat. He hesitated. But Violet didn’t give him the luxury of indecision, pulling him toward the exit as she cried like she might faint.
Finally, Louis could only call out to Cersei. “Cersei, I’ll get her out first, then come right back for you.” Then he hurried away, protecting Violet as they left the mall.
Cersei couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was being held hostage—and he chose to save the one who was perfectly unharmed?! As the sharp blade swung toward her, her mind went blank. She couldn’t even remember how to react.
Fortunately, just as the knife was about to pierce her heart, police officers rushed in and subdued the attacker.
Back at the police station giving her statement, Cersei’s legs were still trembling. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Only after everything was over did Louis finally arrive, pulling her into his arms with evident remorse. “Cersei, thank God you’re okay…”
The embrace that once brought comfort now left her feeling cold. She slowly pushed him away and walked off alone. Louis panicked and hurried after her. “Cersei…”
For the next few days, Cersei ignored Louis completely. No matter how he tried to explain, nothing could change the fact that he had abandoned her in a moment of crisis.
Then came their fifth wedding anniversary. Perhaps to make amends, Louis organized an extravagant celebration. The city’s elite filled the ballroom, all marveling at his grand gesture. When it came time for gifts, he presented her with a multi-million dollar estate.
“I always thought the rumors were exaggerated—it’s absolutely true! He really is the most devoted husband.”
“Indeed! Five years married and still as passionate as newlyweds. I certainly can’t compare.”
“Come on—he confessed to her a hundred times before she said yes! Mrs. Harris must be the luckiest woman in New York.”
The flood of compliments only made Cersei feel more suffocated, so she slipped away from the party.
The cool breeze against her face cleared her mind somewhat. She had no desire to return to the party, but didn’t expect Violet to seek her out.
“Cersei, don’t think Louis is doing all this because he loves you. With me being by his side, he’ll always choose me first.”
Her upturned voice carried certainty and smugness. Cersei was too tired to care. Mistaking her silence for disbelief, her face twisted with anger. “You don’t believe me? Fine. Let’s test it right now.”
Hearing this, Cersei frowned and turned to leave. Before she could move, pain exploded at the back of her head. Then darkness swallowed her whole.
When Cersei awoke, the dull pain at the back of her head persisted. She tried to move, only to find her hands bound tightly with rough rope that cut into her wrists. Looking around, she realized she was on the roof of an abandoned factory. The wind howled around her, and below was a drop of several hundred feet. Violet was tied up beside her, yet showed no sign of panic. Instead, she wore a confident smile.
“Awake?” Violet tilted her head, her tone flippant. “Don’t freak out, I just want Louis to make a choice.”
Cersei stared at her coldly. “You’re insane.”
Violet gave a soft laugh, contempt flashing in her eyes. “No, you are. Louis is clearly tired of you, yet you cling desperately to the title of Mrs. Harris.” She leaned closer to Cersei, lowering her voice. “Today, you’ll see by yourself who he really chooses.”
Before she could respond, the factory door was thrust open. Louis strode in, wearing a black coat, silhouetted against the light with several bodyguards behind him. His eyes landed on the two bound women—and immediately darkened. “Release them!”
The kidnapper, wearing a mask, sauntered between the two women with a glinting knife in his hand.
“Mr. Harris, did you bring the million-dollar ransom?”
Louis gestured, and one of his bodyguards immediately produced a silver case. He popped it open. It revealed neatly stacked cash. The kidnapper nodded with satisfaction, then a slow grin spread beneath the mask.
“However, I’ve changed my mind.” He grinned maliciously, waving the knife between Cersei and Violet. “I’ll take the money, but I can only release one person.”
“Mr. Harris, choose—save your secretary, or your wife?”
The air instantly froze.