My words struck like thunder, shocking my friends. They stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what had just come out of my mouth.
"But you have to promise me," I begged, gripping my friend's wrist tightly. "Don't tell Ryan where I am. I'll make sure he never finds me."
My friends exchanged glances, then nodded and patted my shoulder.
"Charlotte, we're glad you're doing this," one said. "You haven't been yourself because of that man and we all wish you a better future."
Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open.
Ryan walked in, his eyes sweeping across the room until they stopped on me. Seeing how drunk I was, he strode over, his voice as cold as ever. "You're drunk."
I lay sprawled over the table.
When I saw that it was Ryan, I slapped my own face. "I must've had too much to drink. I'm actually seeing Ryan come to pick me up, hahaha."
That man said nothing more to me. He simply scooped me up and carried me out, his voice flat.
"I've already paid the bill."
He then dumped me into the passenger seat, started the car and headed home.
The cool night breeze quickly sobered me up by about seventy or eighty percent. Recalling what had just happened, I patted my head, probably because I'd drunk too much and misremembered. How could Ryan possibly carry me out himself?
Ryan's voice snapped me from my thoughts. "I brought you some cake."
Looking at the mango cake in front of me, I let out a cold laugh.
I really wanted to say that I was allergic to mangoes, but in the end, I still said, "You did all this just so I wouldn't expose what Annie has done, right?"
That man shot me a dark, unreadable look, then stopped the car and walked into the house. In the living room, he was directing the housekeeper to move my things into the main bedroom.
"I will let you sleep in the same bed as me, but I won't touch you," he said.
I rolled my eyes, not intending to respond.
He clenched his fists and for some reason, suddenly spoke again. "I'm going on a business trip tomorrow. If you want anything, I can bring it back for you."
"No need. Just save it for your little Sweetheart." I was too lazy to argue with him.
I grabbed the pillow and blanket, carried them to the guest room and prepared to sleep.
Ryan immediately frowned. "Even throwing a tantrum should have its limits. This was exchanged for your father's life!"
"You have no right to mention my father!" I shouted, then pushed him away and closed the door. "It's getting late, I'm going to sleep."
When I woke up, I discovered that Annie had actually won an award. Taking a closer look, I realized the award-winning work was identical to my own graduation project!
I quickly searched through my belongings and, sure enough, my graduation project was missing.
Back then, to marry Ryan, I had given up further studies and even that project was left unfinished. Over the years, it had remained a scar etched into my heart.
I almost instantly thought of the culprit.
I ran to Ryan like a madwoman, saying with a trembling voice, "Where is my graduation project? Did you give it to that bitch?"
Ryan quickly recoiled in disgust, frowning. "Watch your language."
But I didn't want to control my emotions and I continued to speak agitatedly. "How dare you use my work to pave the way for your mistress! Ryan, you knew it was my heart and soul, yet you still gave it away! Why are you so heartless?"
He only watched my outburst with indifference, then his thin lips parted slightly. "It's your honor that Annie got to use your work."
