CHAPTER SIXTEEN – MR. STONE

He lunged for her, his hand reaching out to grab her arm. Scarlett twisted away with a gasp, adrenaline surging through her veins. "Get back!" she screamed, her voice surprisingly strong. Burt stumbled, momentarily surprised by her resistance. He lunged again, this time managing to snag a handful of her dress. The emerald fabric ripped with a sickening tear, exposing a sliver of pale skin. Panic clawed at Scarlett's throat. She couldn't let him overpower her. Spotting a heavy crystal vase on the nightstand, she lunged for it. "Don't touch me!" she shrieked, brandishing the vase like a weapon. Burt hesitated, his eyes flickering between Scarlett and the glint of crystal. The server's words echoed in her mind: "don't lock the door." This wasn't about fighting him off, it was about creating an escape. With a sudden burst of strength, Scarlett hurled the vase at the balcony door. The crystal shattered with a deafening crash, showering the room with glittering shards. Burt flinched,