Chapter 5

The car sped down the road. On the way to the destination, Selena heard about what had happened. Claire had a conflict with someone at a club. In a fit of rage, she had even hit the other person. Unfortunately, the woman she hit was Ian Zower's girlfriend. Ian and Edmund were fierce competitors and even had a long-standing grudge against each other. For years, they had been at odds in the business world. They constantly competed against each other without backing down. Now that Edmund's beloved had fallen into his hands, Ian naturally seized the opportunity to get back at him. But after hearing all this, Selena was even more confused. If it was something that even Edmund couldn't handle, why had he called her here? It wasn't until Michael led her into a private room on the second floor that she finally understood—Edmund had summoned her there to drink on Claire's behalf. "Selena, Claire isn't in good health. You drink in her place as an apology for your mistake last time," Edmund ordered. Ever since Selena donated her kidney, her doctor had strictly forbidden her from drinking alcohol. Now, the incident that Edmund referred to had been nothing but a setup Claire singlehandedly orchestrated. Why would she need to apologize for something she hadn't done? With a cold expression, Selena turned to leave, but Ian's bodyguards blocked her way. Ian glanced at Selena, and then at Claire, whom Edmund was shielding behind himself. After taking in the scene, Ian laughed out loud. "Edmund, you're forcing your wife to down the alcohol for the sake of your lover—now that's ruthless. Ms. Crawford, please go ahead." Selena balled her hands into fists. Ian couldn't do anything to Edmund outright. So, he was targeting the people around him to humiliate him instead. If Selena refused to drink that night, they wouldn't let her leave. Gritting her teeth, she picked up the glass from the table. Chugging down one glass after another, she downed more than ten glasses in no time. Her throat burned like it was on fire, and her vision darkened with each sip. She forced herself to look at Edmund. "I've finished drinking. Can I leave now?" Before Edmund could answer, Ian clapped his hands and smiled. "The drinking part is done, but the clothes haven't been taken off yet. Claire publicly tore my girlfriend's dress. Someone needs to return the favor. Will it be you or her?" Upon hearing this, Claire's eyes instantly reddened. "No! Edmund, please save me. I don't want to take off my clothes. If someone takes pictures, my reputation will be completely ruined. I might as well just die…" Edmund hesitated for a moment before turning to look at Selena. "Claire is very sensitive. She can't handle this kind of humiliation. You're already my wife. I won't care about something like this." As he spoke, he avoided her gaze, and his expression was uneasy. Edmund was determined to protect Claire, so Ian didn't bother saying more. He simply ordered his bodyguards to remove Selena's clothes. As several men approached her, Selena's face turned deathly pale. Her instincts told her to turn to Edmund, her husband of five years, for help, but all she saw was Edmund standing in the background, gently comforting Claire. At that moment, the last trace of warmth in her heart completely vanished. "Don't touch me. I'll do it myself." With that, she gritted her teeth and removed her clothes, one piece at a time. She kept taking off her clothes until only a thin camisole remained. The people around her stared at her body without restraint. She wrapped her arms around herself in vain as she stood in the center of the room with an ashen face. Ian let out a whistle and ordered his bodyguards to burn the discarded clothes before leading his group away. The private room instantly fell silent. Facing Selena's cold, detached gaze, Edmund suddenly felt an inexplicable panic. He instinctively reached out to hold her hand. He said reassuringly, "Selena, don't be afraid. I promise no pictures will be leaked—" The next second, Selena sidestepped him and spat icily, "Don't touch me."