The cold liquid hit Sarah's face and dress, dripping down her cheeks and soaking into the expensive fabric. The sweet smell of the cocktail mixed with her shock as she stood there, stunned. Around them, the party's noise seemed to fade as several people turned to look at the commotion.
Hannah smirked, clearly satisfied with her action. "That's what you deserve for talking to me like that."
"Hannah!" A familiar voice called out, and Sarah's heart sank as Daniel appeared beside her sister. He wrapped his arm around Hannah's waist possessively, pulling her close to his side. His eyes were cold as they fixed on Sarah.
"What's going on here?" Daniel asked, though his tone suggested he already knew whose side he was taking.
"She started it," Hannah said quickly, leaning into Daniel's embrace. "Sarah was being rude and saying awful things about me."
Daniel's jaw tightened as he looked at Sarah, who was still dripping with the drink. Instead of showing any concern or asking if she was alright, his expression hardened with disgust.
"Sarah, what are you even doing here?" Daniel's voice was sharp and condemning. "After everything that's happened, you should be keeping a low profile. This is exactly the kind of behavior that got you into trouble in the first place."
Sarah wiped the sticky liquid from her face with the back of her hand, her anger building. "Excuse me? She threw a drink at me and you're blaming me?"
"You probably deserved it," Daniel said coldly. "Look, Sarah, you need to face reality. Your father is right. The best thing you can do now is make a public statement. Admit what you did, apologize to everyone, and maybe people will eventually forgive you."
Hannah nodded enthusiastically, her arm tightening around Daniel's waist. "Exactly. Just confess that you slept your way to the top and say you're sorry. It's the only way to save what's left of your reputation."
More people were starting to notice the scene. Sarah could hear whispers and see phones being raised discretely to record what was happening. Her heart was pounding with humiliation and rage. How did paparazzis get in here?
"I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do," Sarah said firmly, though her voice shook slightly.
Daniel scoffed. "Still in denial? Sarah, everyone knows what you are. The evidence is everywhere. Just accept it and move on."
"You're pathetic," Hannah added with a cruel smile. "Standing here soaking wet, defending lies. Even now, you can't admit the truth."
The whispers around them grew louder. Sarah recognized some faces in the crowd - other celebrities, business people, socialites. They were all watching her public humiliation with a mixture of shock and entertainment.
"Maybe she should leave," someone whispered loudly enough for Sarah to hear.
"Isn't that the singer who had the scandal?" another voice asked.
Sarah felt trapped, surrounded by hostile faces and cruel whispers. Her dress was ruined, her dignity was being torn apart again, and the two people who had betrayed her most were standing there looking satisfied with her pain.
That's when she snapped.
Without warning, Sarah's hand flew through the air and connected sharply with Hannah's cheek. The slap was loud and clear, echoing through the suddenly silent room.
Hannah gasped, stumbling backward as her hand flew to her reddening cheek. "You hit me!"
"Yes, I did," Sarah said, her voice steady and strong now. "And I'll do it again if you keep running your mouth."
Daniel stepped forward aggressively. "How dare you touch her! You crazy—"
"That's enough."
The voice was low, cold, and commanding. Everyone turned to see Mason approaching through the crowd. His face was dark with anger, and his presence seemed to fill the entire space. People automatically stepped aside to let him through.
Without a word, Mason removed his suit jacket and draped it around Sarah's shoulders, covering her wet dress. The jacket was warm and smelled like expensive cologne. His touch was gentle as he adjusted it around her, but his eyes were ice cold as they surveyed the scene.
Daniel and Hannah's faces went completely white as they recognized him. Hannah's hand was still pressed to her cheek, her mouth hanging open in shock.
"M-Mr. Liu," Daniel stammered. "I didn't know you were here."
Mason ignored him completely. His arm came around Sarah's waist, pulling her protectively against his side. The gesture was possessive and unmistakably territorial.
"How dare you," Mason's voice was quiet but deadly, "bother my wife?"
The word 'wife' dropped like a bomb in the room. Sarah could hear several people gasp, and she saw phones being raised everywhere to capture this moment.
Hannah's face turned even paler. "Your… wife?"
"Mrs. Liu," Mason said, his voice carrying absolute authority, "is under my protection. Anyone who disrespects her, disrespects me."
Daniel tried to recover, forcing a nervous smile. "Mr. Liu, I think there's been a misunderstanding. Sarah and I have history, and—"
"I don't care about your history," Mason cut him off coldly. "What I care about is that you and this woman," he looked at Hannah with pure disdain, "threw a drink at my wife and publicly humiliated her."
"She hit me!" Hannah protested, pointing at her still-red cheek.
Mason's smile was sharp and dangerous. "After you assaulted her first. I'd say she showed remarkable restraint."
Sarah felt a warm feeling spread through her chest. No one had ever defended her like this before. Mason's arm tightened around her waist, and she could feel his strength and determination.
"Security," Mason called out, his voice carrying across the room.
Two large men in suits immediately appeared at his side.
"These two are disturbing my wife and the other guests. Please escort them out."
"Wait," Daniel said desperately. "Mr. Liu, surely we can discuss this. I'm CEO Daniel, my company works with several companies that do business with Liu Industries—"
"Not anymore," Mason said simply. "I'll make sure of that."
The security guards moved forward. Hannah looked around desperately, as if hoping someone would help her, but everyone was staring in fascination at the drama unfolding.
"This isn't over, Sarah," Hannah hissed as the guards approached.
"Yes, it is," Sarah replied calmly. "It's very much over."
As the security guards escorted Daniel and Hannah toward the exit, the crowd watched in stunned silence. Sarah could see the shock and recognition in people's faces as they processed what they had just witnessed.
Mason Liu, the richest and most powerful man in the city, had just publicly claimed Sarah as his wife and humiliated her enemies in front of everyone.
Sarah looked up at Mason, who was still holding her protectively against his side.
"Thank you," she whispered.
His eyes softened slightly as he looked down at her. "No one touches what's mine," he said quietly, and Sarah felt her heart skip a beat at the possessive warmth in his voice.