Chapter 4 A Reckless Confrontation

Her eyes narrowed as she turned back to Sam, whose expression shifted. He wasn't watching the ribbon-cutting with awe or admiration like the rest of the crowd. Instead, his face was a mix of sadness and quiet anger.

That's when it clicked. Alex Fraser. He's the one who hurt Sam.

Rainee clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists at her sides. But she kept her voice calm as she gently nudged her brother. "Let's go. It's time for us to buy the watch."

Sam snapped out of his daze and looked at her awkwardly. "I---.. I don't want to buy it from here. Let's go to a different showroom," he said, his voice low and hesitant. He tried to smile, but the pain in his eyes made it impossible.

Rainee's expression softened again as she saw his discomfort. "Why?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. "What's the problem here? Is it because of him? Alex Fraser?"

Sam hesitated, but he couldn't lie to her anymore. He nodded slightly, his shoulders slumping. "I just don't want to make him mad again. His bodyguards... they were scary. And he... he treated me like I am worthless."

Rainee's hands trembled with fury as she watched her brother try to suppress his pain. She could feel her anger bubbling up, a storm ready to explode.

She had worked tirelessly day and night, sacrificing her own happiness just to see Sam smile, to make sure he had a chance at a better life. And for what? So that some arrogant, privileged person could make him feel like he wasn't even worthy of basic decency?

Her heart ached as she watched Sam try to brush it off, his voice trembling as he said, "Let's go, this place isn't for us. I can buy a different watch. This brand isn't that important."

She could see right through him. His words weren't what he really wanted to say, but he was trying to protect her from the anger he knew was brewing inside her. He was trying to protect her. It broke her heart.

The anger surged again, this time uncontainable. She clenched her fist around her Ice American, her grip tight enough to feel the cold drink sting her skin. She could feel her own tears threatening to fall, not for herself, but for her brother's broken spirit.

But she refused to show weakness. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and turned to walk away. Sam followed, visibly relieved that she was backing down.

Yet, her eyes fell once again on the red mark on his elbow the stain on his favorite white t-shirt. That shirt, which he claimed was his lucky one. The one he only wore on special occasions.

That was the breaking point.

All of the anger, all of the helplessness, boiled over in an instant. Without thinking, she spun around and started walking toward Alex Fraser.

Her steps were determined, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. Sam's heart skipped a beat as he saw the look in her eyes and realized exactly what was happening.

"Rainee!" he screamed, his voice filled with panic, but it was too late.

She was already there.

In one swift motion, she raised her drink and splashed it across Alex's face. The crowd gasped in shock, and the room seemed to freeze for a moment as everyone took in what had just happened.

Cameras flashed, reporters scrambled for the perfect shot, and Alex stood there, momentarily stunned, the cold drink dripping down his sharp features.

Rainee didn't flinch, didn't back away. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but her stance remained defiant. Her eyes locked with Alex's, and she didn't flinch under his gaze.

"Touch me once," she said, her voice low but fierce, "and I will show you what I'm capable of."

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and for the first time, Alex felt the smallest hint of hesitation. The 20 bodyguards who had been poised to drag her away stood still, unsure of how to proceed. They were trained to deal with threats, but Rainee's confidence made them pause, made them question if they should even attempt to touch her.

They sensed something something that made them think she wasn't just another angry bystander. She wasn't scared of them.

Alex's personal assistant quickly moved to shield him from the cameras, pulling out a handkerchief to offer to Alex. But Alex, his jaw clenched in irritation, waved him off. He stepped closer to Rainee, his gaze cold and calculating, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

He didn't speak immediately. Instead, he took a few steps toward her, closing the distance, his expression unreadable. But Rainee stood her ground, jaw clenched, ready for whatever came next.

The tension in the air was palpable. Everyone watched, breathless, waiting for what would happen next. The crowd had never seen anything like this an angry woman standing up to one of the most powerful men in the room, and doing so with a quiet, yet unmistakable confidence.

Alex stopped just a few feet away, his eyes narrowing as he met Rainee's gaze. There was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation. Only fire. And for the first time in a long while, Alex Fraser was faced with something that intrigued him.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Rainee's voice rang out, sharp with fury. "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE RICH DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ANYONE!"

Alex tilted his head, clearly confused by the woman's outburst. He was still wiping his face, having just been doused with her drink. He couldn't place her and had no idea why she was so enraged. His mind raced to catch up, and despite the mess he was in, he knew he had to maintain his public image. With a calm, practiced tone, he tried to regain control.

"Sorry, I didn't recognize you. Could you tell me your family name?"

Rainee's brow furrowed in confusion. Why would he want to know her family name after she had just humiliated him? Before she could respond, a realization seemed to cross Alex's face. His smirk returned as he stepped closer to her ear, his voice lowering into something almost mocking.

"Are you here for more money? After spending a night with me? Didn't my assistant already give you enough?" He paused, his eyes scanning her face with an unsettling gleam. "Or are you selling yourself again for more?"

Rainee's eyes widened in shock, followed by disgust. The nerve of this man. She couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. Without thinking, she slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing across the room. Everyone in the vicinity gasped.

"HOW DARE YOU?" she shouted, her voice trembling with rage. "Say that again, and I'll show you why I'm here!"

To be continued