Cynthia was the cherished daughter of the Scott family, groomed for a life of ease and sess. It seemed as though he was the source of all her pain.


    "Noah, where are you going?" an old friend asked, puzzled, as Noah stood up to leave.


    "I have something to take care of, so I''m heading out," Noah said.


    "This whole party is to celebrate Cynthia''s return, Mr. Thompson. Are you leaving early because you have a problem with her?" Molly said sharply.


    "Molly," Cynthia said, gently tugging on her arm, signaling for her to stop.


    Then, Cynthia turned to Noah, her smile unwavering. "If you have things to do, go ahead. It''s fine. Oh, have you been drinking? Do you have a driver? Or I can call a car for you?"


    "My driver is on his way," Noah replied.


    "See? Ms. Scott is always so considerate. Noah, leaving like this is pretty rude, you know. You''re lucky Cynthia is so gracious about it," another old friend chimed in, unable to stay silent.


    "If Mr. Thompson insists on leaving, he should at least down three sses as a forfeit," Molly goaded, grabbing a bottle of red wine and pouring three full sses.


    Molly was clearly trying to give Noah a hard time, but he didn''t even bat an eye. He simply picked up a ss and drained the first one.


    After finishing the first ss, Noah reached for the second, but Cynthia immediately put a hand out to stop him.


    "Noah, don''t. They''re just messing with you. You don''t have to go along with it," Cynthia said, holding his hand to keep him from drinking more.


    Before Cynthia could take the ss from him, the door to the private room was violently thrown open.


    Karina burst in from outside, her eyes immediatelynding on Cynthia holding Noah''s hand. Like a cornered animal, she charged forward without a word and pped Cynthia hard across the face.


    Karina was like a madwoman. She''d put all her strength into the p, and one side of Cynthia''s face swelled up instantly.


    "Who the hell are you? Where did this lunatice from? Security! Security!" Molly exploded when she saw Cynthia get hit, lunging at Karina.


    The two quickly got into a scuffle.


    "Stop fighting! Break it up!"


    "Where did this crazy womane from? Call the police! Someone call the police."


    The others rushed forward to


    intervene, but since everyone in the room was Cynthia''s friend, no one was helping Karina. They were all pulling them apart, but their efforts were clearly one-sided.


    Molly was mostly unharmed, but Karina was left lookingpletely disheveled.


    But Noah didn''t spare her a single nce. His attention was entirely on Cynthia.


    Cynthia stood to the side, covering her face. Even through her hand,t was clear one side of her face was red and swollen. Her eyes were filled with a dazed, helpless look, tinged with hurt.


    "Cynthia, are you alright? I''m sorry, this is all my fault," Noah said, looking at her.


    Cynthia didn''t speak, just stared at him nkly.


    "Of course it''s your fault, Noah! Just


    stay away from her! Nothing good ever happens to Cynthia when you''re around!" Molly snapped, shoving him away


    Noah stumbled but didn''t get angry. His eyes remained fixed on Cynthia, filled with guilt and concern.


    Karina, fresh from her fight with Molly, was covered in bruises, her face contorted in pain.


    But Noah, her husband, hadn''t even looked at her. Blinded by rage, Karina lunged at him.