My gaze softly followed the girl's retreating figure. I only hoped that in my future life, I could continue to be myself, Just as I was about to look away, I saw a flash of cold light reflecting off the buckle of the girl's backpack. A woman with a twisted, enraged expression was raising a knife, aiming straight for the girl. My breath hitched, and my mind flashed back three years. That day, I also first saw a reflection in a picture frame on the table. Immediately after. Serena Vance burst in. Serena Vance, holding a knife, without a moment's hesitation, slashed at my wrist. That single cut had dragged me into hell, almost completely destroying me! It was too painful, agonizingly painful... Because I had suffered such pain myself, when similar harm unfolded before my eyes, I couldn't tand by and do nothing. My body reacted instinctively, faster than my mind could process. I pulled the girl away with a speed hadn't known I possessed. We both tumbled to the ground. The deranged woman, who had been so sure of her attack, lunged at empty air, her eyes filled with isbelieving frenzy. She turned, intending to stab the girl again. But this time, she didn't succeed; security guards rushed over and subdued her. "Th-thank you." The girl, still lying on top of me, was startled and incredibly grateful. But I no longer had the strength to speak. The pain throughout my body, the strenuous effort I'd just exerted, combined with being pressed down after falling, made me feel like I was going to shatter into a million pieces. The world soon plunged into darkness. When I awoke again, I was in a distinctly French-style hospital room. "You're finally awake!" The girl let out a sigh of relief, her eyes filled with concern and gratitude. "Thank you for saving me. That person's knife had poison on it. If I had been cut, I probably wouldn't be alive right now." < "Also-" The girl hesitated, her voice growing a little cautious. "I don't mean to pry into your privacy, but after you fainted, I wanted to see where you were hurt, and I found you covered in wounds. I wasn't sure if going to a public hospital would cause you trouble, so I brought you to our family's private sanatorium. You'll get excellent treatment here." I was silent for a moment, then accepted the girl's kindness and thanked her. Then I SnapChated my mentor, Emily, to tell her I would be a few days late. Emily, knowing I was coming for the design competition, had invited me to stay at her place. I had planned to go straight there after landing. I was already wondering how to explain my injuries. If I could rest here for a while, and the wounds looked less alarming, I could tell Emily I'd just fallen and hurt myself back home, which she would probably believe more easily. "If your injuries require calling the police..." The girl couldn't help but add, "Just tell me. My family is very powerful, especially my brother, Alistair Thorne! He could walk wherever he wanted, not just in Paris, but even back home in the capital." Alistair Thorne? Hearing that renowned name, I was truly surprised. Julian Blackwood was a notorious power player in the country's elite circles, but there's a saying among the elite: if Alistair Thorne were still active here, even Julian Blackwood would be second-best. Unlike Julian Blackwood's ruthlessness, Alistair Thorne was a model elite, calm, restrained, handsome, and distinguished. Under his leadership, Thorne Industries' influence and power surpassed that of Julian Group. However, Thorne Industries had focused its attention abroad in recent years, and he rarely returned to the country. 12:41 pm PD DD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!