When the rescue team finally dug him out , his right arm was shattered , nearly beyond repair . As they wheeled him into the operati- ng room , he had gritted his teeth against the pain and forced a smile to comfort me . " Don't cry , Rose . This is nothing ." A storm of emotions crashed within my chest . Clenching my jaw , I released my grip on the knife . My woice was ice as I bit out each word . " Take that idiot and get the hell out of my sight ! " The next second , a blinding agony ripped through my skull , making it hard to breathe . I was going mad with pain , the only relief coming from slamming my head against the wall again and again . Adrian had just scooped Penny into his arms when he turned and saw me on the floor , clawing at my own hair and writhing . He froze for a moment , then let out a cold , derisive laugh . " If you're going to put on an act , at least make it convincing . I nicked your neck , not your head . " He walked over and kicked me , his voice laced with contempt . " As for today ... if you apologize to Penny , I can pretend none of this ever happened . " I turned my head and , with a bitter smile , sank my teeth into his leg . He let out a muffled grunt of pain , his face instantly darkening . Meeting his furious glare , I raised a single middle finger . " Me , apologize to her ? " " In your next life . " Adrian's chest heaved with rage . His final words were a chilling promise . " You chose this " Just you wait . " The pain kept me awake all night . As dawn painted the sky in pale shades of gray , a wave of exhaustion finally washed over me . But before I could drift off , bodyguards were dragging me out of bed . 14.43 Chapter 1 Downstairs , I saw that the city's elite , a who's who of high society , had been invited to our home . In front of them all , I was thrown onto the doorstep like a piece of trash . A pair of expensive leather shoes entered my line of sight . Adrian's cold voice drifted down . " You'll have to understand . I'm throwing a birthday party for Penny , and our guests are ... distinguished . The last thing we need is a criminal under this roof . " I fought to swallow the blood rising in my throat and looked up at him with a sneer . " Your methods are getting more childish by the day . " Adrian lit a cigarette , his gaze chillingly cold . He wasn't looking at his sister ; he was looking at an enemy . He blew out a perfect ring of smoke . " My offer still stands . Apologize to her , and this I stretched my lips into a silent , mocking grin . My goes away . " answer was clear . He let out a sharp , humorless laugh and walked away . But just moments after he left , a commotion erupted from inside . Faintly , I heard my own name being spoken . A sudden , sharp sense of dread coiled in my stomach . I pushed my way through the crowd and saw -a massive screen at the front of the room , cycling through a series of photographs . When I saw what they were , it was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head . The cold spread from my limbs stra- ight to my heart . My hands clenched into fists , my nails digging so deep into my palms that they drew blood . They were photos taken during my time in prison . Photos of my humiliation . The darkest , most brutal moments of my life . Those agonizing memories mixed with the sneers and whispers of the crowd , drilling into my mind . " Look at Rosalie on her knees , begging like a dog . Who knew the madwoman had a breaking point ? " " I wonder if I could use these pics to get her into bed . Think she'd say yes ? " " Forget it . Who'd want a woman who's been to prison , anyway ? " I bit my lip so hard I could taste blood . Spotting Adrian in the crowd , I lunged forward , grabbed him by the collar , and threw a punch with all my remaining strength . But it was a pathetic attempt , Ravaged by illness , my fist landed on him with all the force of a gentle tap . For the first time , Adrian looked genuinely confused . He grabbed my wrists and pulled me off him , his face flushed with anger . " What the hell is wrong with you ? I didn't put those photos up there ! " Nearby , I caught the flash of triumph in Penny's eyes . A cold laugh escaped me " Penny . Looks like yesterday's lesson didn't stick , did it ? " Penny immediately switched to her damsel - in - distress act , clutching at Adrian's sleeve . Chapter 1 1443 " Adrian , it wasn't me , " she whimpered . " Why does your sister always misunderstand me ? Does she hate me that much ? " Adrian instantly moved to shield her . The absurdity of it all made me laugh . " Adrian , how can you be so stupid ? " I spat . " Besides you , she's the only one who knows about my time in prison . Who else could have leaked those photos ? " His voice was cold , certain . " It wasn't Penny . She's too timid . She wouldn't dare . " I was done talking . I grabbed a nearby wine bottle and charged at Penny . But before I could reach her , Adrian's bodyguards grabbed me by the hair and started dragging me out . The mocking , disdainful stares of the crowd felt like a thousand tiny needles piercing my heart . The rage and humiliation overwhelmed me . My vision went black , and I coughed up a mouthful of dark , thick blood . As my body went limp and I fell to the ground , the last thing I heard was a desperate , horrified shout .