With a loud bang, Clarissa’s mind went blank. It felt like the world had collapsed.
So Patrick had been watching the whole time. And he truly was with Victoria.
The thugs had been a little worried about being seen. But when they noticed the people above did nothing, they moved closer.
Fear filled Clarissa’s heart. She struggled to her feet and ran backward, but there was only a wall behind her. She was trapped!
She cried out desperately, “Patrick, I’m not acting! I don’t know these people! Please save me!”
The next second, one of the men covered her mouth. Tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t make a sound anymore.
She thought Patrick would react when he saw this. But he only lowered his eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he coldly looked away, turned around and left.
At that moment, Clarissa got dragged away. Her eyes were fixed on his back. Her heart had turned completely cold.
Smack!
One of the men slapped her hard. “Why are you all silent? Go on, shout! Ask for help or something!”
Clarissa screamed in pain. Her pale cheek quickly swelled.
Another man stopped him. “Boss, don’t ruin such a pretty face.”
“Hmph! This woman just doesn’t behave.”
As he spoke, the thug boss tore her clothes. Clarissa struggled with all her strength, but she couldn’t escape.
Her head buzzed. She couldn’t hear anything anymore. Her vision went white. Soon, despair swallowed her completely.
Then suddenly, screams came from a distance.
Patrick grabbed one of the men with his bare hands and punched him hard to the ground. The man couldn’t get up. One by one, the other thug rushed forward.
But Patrick fought calmly. His punches were heavy and precise, knocking the men down until they were bleeding.
When Clarissa saw him, a spark of hope rose in her heart. But the next second, that hope sank.
Patrick walked toward her from above. He bent slightly, lifted her chin and stared coldly into her frightened eyes.
Grinding his teeth, he said, “Clarissa, is this really necessary? Putting on such a show, even hurting yourself like this... I truly admire your efforts.”
He released her with disgust, straightened up and walked away without looking back.
“No… I didn’t… it’s not like that…” Clarissa tried to explain.
But her vision went dark and she eventually lost consciousness completely.
When she woke up, she was in the hospital. The thugs were gone. Clarissa was shocked and terrified. If Patrick hadn’t appeared, she might have died.
Just as she felt a moment of gratitude, Patrick’s deep voice came from the bed behind the curtain. “Vicky, you hired those thugs?”
“What? Are you feeling sorry for her now?" Victoria’s voice was sharp and angry.
Patrick was silent for a few seconds before speaking, “Vicky, I was worried something might happen to you.”
Clarissa had almost been harmed. Yet Patrick was still protecting Victoria. A deep chill spread through Clarissa’s body.
Victoria, however, was in a very good mood. She hugged Patrick and smiled. “Patty, I knew you cared about me the most.”
After Victoria left, Patrick glanced at Clarissa’s bed. A rare trace of guilt appeared on his face.
“Clarissa, I’ll make it up to you.” His voice was uneasy. In the end, he turned and left.
Once he was gone, Clarissa slowly opened her eyes. Pain flickered through them.
Why did he always hurt her most when she just got moved of his actions?
"Patrick, there is nothing left between us." Clarissa swallowed her emotions and made a call to the company. “By today, remove Patrick from the company.”
This time, she would completely erase him from her world with her own hands.
