Chapter 3Kicking Them Off the Ladder

When I was sixteen, Ryder, who had been with me for a year, still hadn’t quite grasped my temper. But he knew that whenever I was angry, if he just took my hand and pressed it to his face, my anger would subside.

Later, he took it upon himself to fire our housekeeper of ten years and personally hired a new one, Mrs. Miller. And Brittany Miller, the daughter, moved in with her. He told me, "Scarlett, I think they’re quite pitiful. Why don't we let her stay too? The Thorne estate is so big, it won't hurt to have one extra room."

At that time, I was utterly infatuated with that face. I never refused any request Ryder made.

Later, during an evening gala, I noticed Brittany didn't even have a decent dress. I casually took a new one from my wardrobe and gave it to her. It was C-Class haute couture, worth hundreds of thousands. Brittany looked at me with immense gratitude, bowing repeatedly and thanking me.

However, that evening, Ryder saw Brittany dressed elegantly and seemed to lose himself, just staring at her next to me. A timid girl always seemed to ignite a man's protective instincts. Suddenly, the shoulder strap of Brittany’s evening gown, as she stood front and center, unexpectedly snapped. Her slight figure was instantly exposed. Brittany, humiliated, cried and left.

After the gala, I intended to go comfort her. After all, it was my dress I had given her. But the three men suddenly blocked my path, their expressions impatient. Ryder furiously demanded to know:

"Scarlett Thorne, you're going too far! How could you deliberately give Brittany a faulty gown?"

I was stunned, looking at Brittany, who was bowing her head behind them. I wanted her to explain that I had given her the dress brand new, the packaging box still unopened. But to my surprise, Brittany suddenly tugged on Ryder's sleeve, tears welling up and spilling down.

"It's okay, Mr. Ryder, I believe Miss Scarlett didn't mean it. Perhaps it's because I've been spending too much time with you lately, making Miss Scarlett unhappy."

As if that wasn't enough drama, she pushed past the three men and walked towards me. She slapped herself across the face, her delicate, pale cheek immediately turning red and swollen.

Zane, seeing this, pulled Brittany back behind him. "Scarlett, don't be so excessive! Even if we are just your hired help, it doesn't mean you can trample on a young girl's dignity like this!"

"Why are you so wicked?"

Brittany, seeing this, tugged on Zane's sleeve. "It's okay, Mr. Zane, I'm fine."

Seeing the beauty's distress, Ryder could no longer control himself. He looked at me and commanded in a low voice. "Scarlett, apologize to Brittany!"

And at that time, I was naive and almost completely obedient to Ryder. Because I couldn't bear to see any expression of unhappiness on that face, I actually apologized to Brittany. In the years that followed, I apologized to Brittany, this woman living under my roof, at least ten times. Thinking back now, it's truly laughable.