Mr. Holt was caughtpletely off guard. The pepper spray burned his eyes so badly, he couldn''t even keep them open.


    "Goddamn it!" he cursed, voice hoarse with rage and pain.


    Seizing the moment, Effie drove her foot straight into his groin with all the force she could muster.


    A strangled scream tore from Mr. Holt''s throat. His body doubled over, both hands clutching himself as his face drained of color. Cold sweat broke out across his brow and he could barely keep his bnce, staggering back a few steps before copsing onto the floor in a pathetic heap.


    Effie watched him, a cold smile curving her lips, disdain flickering in her eyes.


    She quickly stepped back, putting more distance between them, her gaze wary in case he tried to retaliate.


    Mr. Holt gritted his teeth, forcing himself to look up at her, eyes zing with hatred and agony. Struggling for breath, he rasped, "You... you bitch! Damn you! You actually dared toy a hand on me!"


    Wasn''t this woman unconscious just now? How was she suddenly standing there, full of fight?


    Effie''s reply was icy. "You brought this on yourself, Mr. Holt. Did you really think I''d let you push me around? Dream on. Maybe this will teach you a lesson."


    He trembled with anger, but the pain was so overwhelming he couldn''t move, left helpless as Effie turned and walked away.


    Rage boiled in his chest. He swore to himself that he''d make Effie pay for this. He''d underestimated her never thought she''d have the guts to fight back.


    Effie hurried from the scene, but her mind was already working out her next move.


    Stepping outside, she sucked in a deep breath of fresh air, shaking off the suffocating panic that had gripped her minutes before. Her head was spinning a little, but her mind was crystal clear.


    She needed to act fast.


    Effie gged down a young maid she didn''t recognize, slipped a few bills into her hand, and whispered a few instructions in her ear.


    The maid hurried off.


    Because it was the matriarch''s birthday banquet today, the household staff was stretched thin, so they''d hired some extra help at thest minute. This girl must be one of the temps-Effie had never seen her before.


    It wasn''t long before a familiar figure hurried toward the guest room.


    Effie slipped into the shadows, hiding in a corner.


    She watched as Suzan, looking smug and self-satisfied, pushed open the door.


    A momentter, chaos erupted inside the room.


    Hidden in the corner, Effie heard themotion and let a cold smirk y on her lips.


    You shouldn''t go around hurting others, but you can''t let your guard down, either. Suzan was getting exactly what she deserved-she had no one to me but herself.


    Inside the guest room, Suzan hade in expecting to find Effie in a pitiful state -perfect for capturing on video.


    But the moment she opened the door, she found herself face to face with Mr. Holt''s furious re.


    He was still doubled over, clutching himself, his face ashen. Clearly, Effie''s kick had done some serious damage.


    Mr. Holt was half convinced he''d never be a real man again.


    Damn it, that woman was ruthless.


    When he saw Suzan, his fury doubled-clearly, he thought she was behind this


    mess.


    "You bitch! You set me up!" Mr. Holt roared, voice trembling with rage.


    The lingering sedatives in the room made his eyes unfocused, his movements a little wild.


    "Well, since you''re here, let''s see if I''m still up to the task, shall we?"


    Suzan stared at him, bewildered, not even getting the chance to exin before Mr. Holt lunged at her.


    He seized her wrist in a punishing grip, squeezing so hard it felt like he might snap her bones.