Chapter 4Kicking Them Off the Ladder

Looking at Ryder's hostile expression, my patience had reached its limit. "Don't flatter yourself. As for Brittany Miller, do what you want with her."

Hearing my suddenly cold tone, Ryder seemed startled and annoyed. Zane, on the other hand, asked Knox uncertainly, "Could she have found out we gave her 'The Seraphina'?"

Even though Zane had lowered his voice, I could read lips.

"The Seraphina? You gave The Seraphina to Brittany Miller without my permission?"

The Seraphina was the last design manuscript my late mother, a designer, created. This year marked the tenth anniversary of her passing, and I had commissioned the world's top artisans to painstakingly craft it. It was meant to be a tribute to her on the anniversary of her death. That's why I had specifically given this task to Ryder six months ago, entrusting him to oversee it and ensure no issues arose.

But I never imagined it would now be worn by Brittany Miller!

Zane and Knox's faces froze, looking somewhat flustered. Ryder stepped forward, speaking bluntly. "Yes, I decided to give The Seraphina to Brittany. She had a school gala, and I wanted her to make a grand entrance."

"You, Miss Scarlett, want for nothing. It's just a dress. Why are you being so petty?"

Looking at his self-righteous demeanor, I found it revolting. A strange wave of disgust washed over me. How could this substitute wear that face and make such a repulsive expression?

Seeing me staring at him, Ryder's eyes flickered, a hint of guilt there. But thinking of Brittany behind him, he straightened his back. "Brittany has lived in poverty her whole life. This school gala is very important to her. Do you have no sympathy at all? Do you really want her to be humiliated before you're satisfied?"

My lip twitched, finding it absurd. But Ryder, seeing me not speak, thought he had made his point and became even more smug.

"Alright, I told you to stop always targeting her. I will marry you, you know."

The expression on his face, as if I should be eternally grateful, made me think this was his house, not mine. As if I were the pet, not them.

Brittany, hearing this, looked at him with tears welling in her eyes. "Mr. Ryder, don't force yourself to marry Miss Scarlett just to help me. I know you don't love her. It's all my fault, please don't compromise yourself."

I sighed, exasperated. "Ryder, when did I ever say I was going to marry you?"

Ryder looked at me, confused. After all, these past few years, I had never interfered with their shenanigans. Especially with Ryder, I had been almost completely compliant. This had given them the false impression that I was deeply, madly in love with him.

Then I rolled my eyes and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Brittany rushed to my feet, and just like years ago, she started crying and slapping herself. "Miss Scarlett, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have worn your gown without permission, but Ryder is innocent. He just wanted to help me."

"After all these years, you've ordered him around like a servant. Ryder is human too, he gets upset, so please don't blame him, I beg you."

As she spoke, she used both hands, the sound of her slaps echoing through the villa. This Brittany Miller really was ruthless. In barely ten slaps, she managed to draw blood from her own face.

Ryder, seeing this, finally reacted and quickly stopped her. He looked at her swollen, red face with pained sympathy, then turned to me, his gaze full of revulsion.

"Scarlett Thorne! You're going too far! It's just a dress!"

"I said I would marry you, and I will. How long are you going to keep throwing these childish tantrums?"

Watching their synchronized act, I laughed, infuriated. "Are you deaf? I never said I was going to marry you!"

But Ryder just sighed, looking at me as if I were a spoiled doll. "I know you can't live without me, that you love me to death, but you can't turn into a jealous woman."

"Alright, as long as you don't bother Brittany, I'll forgive you."

I looked at him coldly, wanting nothing more than to rip that skin off his face. He didn't deserve to wear that face while doing such disgusting things. But I smiled. Letting them go now would be far too easy. The thought of the grand event three days later filled me with excitement.