Countless shards of champagne glasses rained down directly onto Serena Vance and, behind her, nyself. Amidst a chorus of gasps, Julian Blackwood's face changed. He rushed toward us. With a tense expression, he pulled Serena Vance away, shielding her in his arms. I, who had already managed to dodge, was violently knocked by him and fell to the ground. My head hit the floor, and warm blood welled and trickled down. My body was riddled with cuts from glass shards, the pain like a thousand tiny knives, flaying me live. My vision blurred. Though I was trembling with pain, I let out a hollow, detached laugh. I had always believed that Julian Blackwood had divided his love equally between us. But it turned out, if he had to choose, his choice would be Serena Vance. When I next awoke, I was in a hospital. Julian Blackwood, his eyes red-rimmed, explained apologetically, "Summer, I meant to protect you. I was just so worried that I panicked and saved the wrong person." 12:37 pm PD < He kissed my hand repeatedly. As if to convey all his heartache and love through my palm. Unfortunately, he forgot it was a prosthetic hand. I felt no sincerity at all, only that his words were full of lies. I asked coldly, "What are you going to do about that server?" I had seen clearly that the champagne tower's collapse was no accident, but Serena Vance's deliberate act. Julian Blackwood's expression paused slightly, then he said, "It was indeed my oversight. I've already given orders to blacklist her globally, so she can never work as a server again." I froze, then suddenly laughed. A network of fine cracks spread across my heart, letting pain seep into every crevice. Serena Vance wasn't a server to begin with. It was such an utterly irrelevant punishment, like telling a bird it could never fly. Ridiculous. Seeing me laugh, Julian Blackwood smiled too. For the next few days, he cared for me with utmost tenderness. He closely monitored the IV drip's progress. He personally and gently tended to my wounds. He peeled the luscious lychees and fed them to my mouth, extending his palm for me to spit the pits into. Doctors and nurses passing by all envied my good fortune. Until, the familiar, distinctive phone ringtone sounded. He hesitated, then calmly said, "Summer, there's something urgent at the company. I'll be gone for a bit." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!