Jasmine's knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists.
"How much for a night, Jasmine?"
"What's with the outfit? Looks filthy. Where's the dress?"
"Strip down, we like the view better without the rags."
Their words were filthy.
To Jasmine, they seemed fouler than the dirt itself.
"Knock it off, guys. It's Serena's birthday," someone whispered, bringing a modicum of order.
With that, the crowd shifted to wish her well.
"It's your birthday too, Jasmine, remember?" Serena said with an indifferent tone.
Jasmine remained silent as if she were mute.
"Cat got your tongue?" Zelda – also among the partygoers – nudged Jasmine roughly.
Stumbling backwards, Jasmine fell into the arms of a man behind her.
"Look, Tom, your old crush practically throwing herself at you!" Someone jeered.
"Yeah, Tom, back in high school, you were all into her. Go on, she's easy money now," a few of them joked.
Tom glanced at Jasmine with disdain. "Liked her? Get real, I never did. Don't make me sick."
But Jasmine was used to this.
They were all villains in her eyes.
Yet, they lacked any self-awareness.
During high school, Tom had chased her since freshman year, but now he joined in their cruel game.
"Let's give her to you, Tom; you have first dibs tonight, man. Your turn to take her home," taunted the crowd.
Daniel just watched, silent, approaching Serena. "She's here. Can you behave now and come back to the hospital with me? No more tantrums, okay?"
Serena flashed a pleased smile, reaching for Daniel's embrace.
With a reluctant comfort, Daniel coaxed her, "Alright, I'll hold you all the way back to the hospital, okay?"
All the while, Jasmine watched Daniel ignore her, focusing only on walking Serena out.
She wanted to leave, but Zelda and a few wealthy heirs blocked her way.
Tonight wasn't about Serena's birthday celebration.
It was a hellish revelry.
In his misguided attempt to cheer up Serena and coax her back to the hospital, Daniel had dealt her into the hands of these people.
He knew full well they'd play her to death.
"Let me go..." Jasmine's voice was hoarse and choked with emotion.
She wanted to leave, but how could these lunatics ever let her?
The bullying in high school, the beatings and humiliation in prison, every flashback was hellish.
"Want to leave? Can't handle the game?" A rich kid blocked Jasmine, gesturing to the bottle on the table. "Finish this bottle, and you're free to go."
Tom furrowed his brow. "Don't go overboard."
"Tom, so you do have a soft spot for her," another jeered. "If you like her so much, why not go for it?"
"Hey Tom, you'd need to scrub her clean inside and out. She's had a kid, man. You ready to play Daddy?"
Laughter erupted.
Jasmine felt dizzy, shoved aside someone trying to block her, and tried to bolt.
But Zelda had her held down and poured the liquor over Jasmine's head, the liquid cascading down her pained face and ragged clothes.
A raucous chorus of taunts filled the air.
"Hey, she's got a pretty fine figure for being so thin, and she's even got curves."
Her clothes were drenched, and the men spat out repulsive comments as they groped her without an ounce of respect.
Numbly, Jasmine stood there and snatched the bottle from Zelda's hand.
"Crash!" A sharp sound rang out.
She smashed the bottle on her own head.
The glass shattered and blood began streaming down her forehead, dripping from her chin.
Instantly, silence fell.
"Is this enough for you?" Jasmine's voice was raspy, and her eyes were bloodshot red.
No one spoke.
They all thought Jasmine had lost her mind.
She reached for another bottle, about to hit herself again, but Tom grabbed it, flinging her aside. "Are you out of your mind?"
Jasmine wiped the blood from her eyes; her small, pale face was a mask of defiance.
She turned and walked slowly toward the door.
Finally, no one dared to stop her.
Just as she stepped out of the room, darkness enveloped her vision, and she collapsed into the arms of a solid figure.
"Save me..." Her voice was faint, as if she truly did not want to die.
"Mr. Douglas!" Exclaimed several business associates in alarm at the sight of the unexpected guest.
However, their fear magnified when they noticed Ethan's pristine white shirt now smeared with blood.
Clean freak Ethan...
Ethan's brow creased as he looked down at the woman who had fallen into his arms.
Was this a coincidence, or did she do it on purpose?
"Mr. Douglas!" Called out an assistant, rushing over to push Jasmine away.
But Ethan instinctively raised a hand to stop him.
Ethan felt a sudden, inexplicable tightness in his chest upon seeing Jasmine's face smeared with blood.
He lifted her up in his arms, his voice a deep rumble. "Check who's in that room and call the cops! We're going to the hospital, now!"
His business associates watched Ethan in shock.
"Doesn't Mr. Douglas have a thing about cleanliness?"
"I heard he tosses out any woman who comes near him."
"What's gotten into him today? It’s like he has a heart of gold."