I was three months pregnant when my husband's mistress shoved me into a pot of boiling oil during the food festival. The scalding oil pierced through my belly, causing amniotic fluid to spill and my clothes to stick painfully to my skin.
My husband rushed in with a doctor, but his priority was to treat a scratch on his mistress's hand meticulously. "Back to your old tricks, huh? Hurting yourself to gain sympathy and then blaming Selena, really?"
He glanced at me coldly. "Of course, you'll do anything to get rid of her."
With that, he gently coaxed his mistress away, leaving me bleeding and writhing in agony on the greasy kitchen floor. I passed out from the pain and the massive blood loss.
When I opened my eyes again, I heard chaotic shouting from the kitchen and a heavy push from behind again.
——
I gritted my teeth and cradled my belly, staggering towards a corner of the kitchen. The burns covering my body made it hard to breathe.
Selena looked at the reporters rushing in and suddenly shouted, "Charlotte is trying to kill someone! Help!"
Hearing this sensational news, the reporters immediately aimed their cameras at me. I held up the thermometer in my hand. "Step back! The oil temperature is too high and could ignite at any moment!"
Several reporters were frightened back. Major media outlets were stationed at the food festival. Someone must have leaked information, allowing these people to enter the kitchen area.
I clutched the thermometer, waiting for someone. Before I died in my previous life, Lana Bennett, the mysterious Chairman of Fortune Eatery's global headquarters, had come to inspect the scene shortly after my death.
Sure enough, there was a stir outside as the reporters approached the entrance. "It's Miss Bennett, the Chairman of Fortune Eatery's global headquarters! Get the shots!"
Amid the chaos, I saw her elegant figure entering the kitchen. I felt a surge of hope. Finally, she was here.
A fire suddenly broke out in the kitchen vent and the flames shot toward Lana. I ignored my burns while dashed to get her out of harm's way, inhaling thick smoke as I collapsed.
I drifted in and out of consciousness, hearing the blaring alarms and Lana's furious voice. "The fire safety here is appalling! Call the fire department immediately!"
I barely woke from the pain, only to find Selena dramatically throwing herself at me. "Charlotte, I'm so scared. It's all my fault!"
My burned stomach was bleeding. Selena's sudden movement sent a wave of agonizing pain through me, causing me to break out in a cold sweat.
Lana quickly helped me. "Don't move, an ambulance is on its way. Thank you for saving me."
A commotion came from the kitchen. I knew Colin must have brought people here. Selena ran crying to him as he came in with a doctor. "Colin, I am scared!"
I clutched my stomach and weakly said, "Miss Bennett, please save my child … I'm three months pregnant … "
Lana's face changed immediately. "You're pregnant? Call 911 now! Don't worry. I know the best burn specialist. You and your baby will be fine."
"It's my fault for not inspecting thoroughly and allowing you to hold an event in such a dangerous environment. Don't worry, I've already called my private doctor. They'll be here soon." She took off her coat and gently covered me, but my blood continued to seep out.
In the distance, Selena sobbed in Colin's arms. "Thank goodness you came, or I wouldn't have known what to do … "
At that moment, Colin's tall, slender figure entered with the private doctor. He hurriedly led Selena to a chair, carefully checking the scratches on her hand.
He turned around and saw me slumped on the ground with eyes full of contempt. "Charlotte, you're really something. You used the excuse of a sanitary inspection to lure Selena to the kitchen, just to harm her?"
