Chapter 3
Joanna's POV
The next morning, an anonymous delivery arrived—an exquisite evening gown that must have cost a fortune. I figured I should at least try it on.
I stood before my cracked full-length mirror, staring at this stranger in the reflection.
The black evening dress clung like a second skin, making every breath feel like my ribs might crack. This dress wasn't made for someone like me—my chest was pushed up and nearly spilling out, the waist cinched so tight I felt dizzy. I tried pulling up the neckline, but there simply wasn't enough fabric.
"Damn it." I cursed under my breath. This was my first time wearing something so expensive, and probably my last.
Tommy peeked his little head through the door crack, "Joanna, are you going to a princess ball?"
I forced a smile, "No, just work."
"But you look so pretty, like a movie star on TV." His innocent words made my heart ache. If he knew what I was about to do...
I ruffled his hair, "Go eat breakfast."
After closing the door, I looked in the mirror again. The woman reflected there was indeed beautiful, but she wasn't really me.
That afternoon, my phone buzzed. The driver was here. I took a deep breath and grabbed my secondhand purse. It clashed horribly with this dress, just like I clashed with tonight's world.
"For Mom," I told my reflection. "For Tommy. For survival."
The King Estate sat on a hill outside the city, looking like something out of a fairy tale. As our car passed through the wrought iron gates, my stomach began churning.
The mansion's grand hall gleamed with gold and crystal chandeliers, but I felt nothing but dread. Guests wore clothing worth more than cars, champagne glasses in hand, laughing and chatting.
I searched the crowd for Sebastian, my heart pounding like a drum.
"Joanna."
His voice came from behind me, low and dangerous.
I turned to see him in a black tailcoat, perfect as a magazine model.
He looked me up and down, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "Good."
"This is my new assistant, Joanna Bennett." He suddenly raised his voice, drawing attention from nearby guests. "She'll be serving tonight."
Serving? My blood turned to ice. I thought I was his companion, not...
"Oh, how... interesting." A woman dripping in diamonds looked me up and down like I was a zoo animal. "Mr. King is always so... innovative."
Laughter erupted around us, making my skin crawl.
"Indeed, having an assistant dress like that to serve drinks—how creative."
"Look at her expression. She seems to have no idea what she's supposed to do."
My face burned with shame. I wanted to disappear into the floor.
Sebastian handed me a silver tray loaded with champagne flutes, so heavy I nearly dropped it.
"Don't disappoint me." He whispered in my ear.
I carried the tray toward the crowd, every step agony. My hands trembled, champagne swaying gently in the glasses with tiny clinking sounds.
"Careful there, sweetheart." A fat middle-aged man deliberately stuck out his elbow and bumped me.
Champagne splashed out, staining my dress and the carpet. The smell of alcohol mixed with my shame made me sick.
"Oops, looks like our little server needs more training."
Everyone burst out laughing. I knelt on the floor wiping the carpet, feeling everyone looking down at me like I was an ant beneath their feet.
I stole a glance at Sebastian.
But he just stood nearby, watching expressionlessly.
The next two hours were the longest of my life. I wove through the crowd with my tray, enduring their mockery and contempt. People deliberately tripped me, made crude comments, tried to grope me.
Every time I wanted to fight back, I thought of Mom and Tommy. So I gritted my teeth and took it.
"Are you alright?" A gentle voice spoke beside me.
I turned to see a young man with warm brown eyes and a kind smile. Unlike everyone else here, his gaze held no contempt, only concern.
"I'm Ryan Matthews," he introduced himself. "I noticed you looked uncomfortable."
"I'm fine." I managed a weak smile. "Just my first time at this kind of party."
"These people are all snobs. Don't mind what they say." Ryan's voice was soft, meant only for me. "You're braver than any of them."
His words made my eyes well up. "Thank you." I said sincerely.
"If you need help, you can always find me." He handed me a business card. "I'm a doctor. If ..."
"Ryan." A cold voice cut through our conversation.
Sebastian approached, his face dark as a storm. He saw Ryan's hand still touching mine, dangerous light flashing in his eyes.
"My assistant has work to do." Sebastian's voice was calm, but I could feel the threat beneath it.
Ryan looked at Sebastian, then at me, finally nodding, "Of course." He said to me, "Remember what I told you."
Then he left, leaving Sebastian and me face to face.
"Come with me." Sebastian grabbed my wrist hard enough to make me cry out.
He dragged me through the crowd toward the balcony. Everyone was staring and whispering.
The night wind on the balcony was cold, but the heat radiating from Sebastian was more scorching.
"You disappoint me." His voice was low, edged with danger.
"I'm sorry, I..."
"Sorry?" He laughed coldly, suddenly gripping my wrist. "You think sorry fixes everything?"
He pushed me against the balcony railing, my back hitting cold stone. His body pressed forward, trapping me between him and the railing with nowhere to escape.
I trembled as I looked up into his eyes. In the moonlight, they were deep as an abyss.
"Sebastian, what are you doing?"
A woman's voice interrupted us. I turned around to see a lady walking toward us, her beauty breathtaking. Golden curls flowed like liquid light in the night breeze, her makeup flawlessly perfect, each step radiating an innate elegance.
"Looks like your new assistant is very good at 'serving' people." Her voice was sweet as poisoned honey. "But Sebastian, when did your taste become so... common?"
She walked closer, heels clicking on stone.
Sebastian didn't release me immediately. Instead, he pulled me closer, as if claiming ownership.
"None of your business." He told the woman, but his eyes stayed on me.
"I remember you used to prefer... refined women. Like Elodie..." Her gaze traveled over me. "Hello, I'm Ava Sterling."
At that name, Sebastian's body went rigid. His hand tightened on my waist until I could barely breathe.
"Don't mention her." His voice was deadly.
Ava laughed, "Oh sorry, I forgot that's a forbidden topic." She looked at me. "Though this young lady does resemble her somewhat, doesn't she? Especially those eyes..."
I had no idea what they were talking about, but I could feel the tension crackling in the air.
Who was Elodie? Why did mentioning her make Sebastian so furious?
"Enough." Sebastian suddenly released me, turning to Ava. "What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to see your new toy." Ava shrugged. "Though honestly, I'm a bit disappointed. I thought you'd find a more... challenging replacement."
Ava turned to leave, but as she passed me, she stopped and whispered in my ear, "Be careful, darling. You don't know what you've gotten yourself into."
Then she was gone, leaving Sebastian and me facing each other in the moonlight.
"What did she mean?" I asked, my voice shaking.
Sebastian didn't answer. He turned and walked away. "It's none of your concern."
On the ride home, my thoughts were spinning.
I couldn't do this anymore. I couldn't let Sebastian humiliate me anymore.
I had my own dignity, even if it meant we'd be poorer, even if it meant Mom's medical bills...
The debate in my head had to stop. Now.
I'd made my decision. First thing tomorrow morning, I'd submit my resignation.
I didn't care about his threats or losing the money. I was done.