The audience had reached a boiling point, with all eyes fixed on the woman standing on the platform. Derision, salaciousness, and indifference filled the air.
"Ah!"
Claire Randall couldnt bear the impact and screamed, her eyes rolling back as she collapsed, seemingly lifeless.
At that moment, Noah Calhoun snapped out of his shock and rushed over to pick her up, shouting as he went, "Stop taking pictures, stop!"
However, no one paid him any heed; the media only redoubled their efforts, the flashes of their cameras relentless.
As he moved, he bellowed, "Someone call an ambulance! Shes had an accident..."
Unbeknownst to him, the large display screen behind him was broadcasting Claires every move in real-time.
The subtle actions were magnified greatly, displayed for all to see.
Everyone in the room knew Claire Randall was only pretending to be unconscious!
"How shameless! To deliberately expose herself at the Cullen familys charity dinner... and then fake a faint!"
"Look at those hickey marks on her body, claiming to be pure and a virgin—she must have been with countless men!"
"Disgusting! Get out, get out of the entertainment industry!"
"Do you people have any humanity?" Noah Calhoun was furious, berating the crowd.
At that moment, someone kindly pointed to the screen behind him, urging him to look.
In one glance, a cold sweat broke out on Noahs brow, and his face turned pale.
He stammered, picked up Claire who was lying on the ground, and fled in a panic.
The media swarmed like flies to garbage, chasing after them, continuing to shoot and question.
Some even started live broadcasts, capturing the scene in real-time.
"Ms. Randall, is this accident a stunt you orchestrated? Was the red carpet exposure just a ploy for attention, a desperate attempt to get famous?"
"Mr. Calhoun, are you aware of the origins of Ms. Randalls hickey marks? Do you know the man who spent the night with Ms. Randall? Your concern suggests a personal involvement."
"Get away!" Noah Calhoun hastily summoned his security to shield them, his face a mask of cold anger.
Cornered, he fled with Claire in his arms, ignoring the relentless media.
In the shadows, Jane Eyre observed the entire fiasco with a satisfied smile, then turned and left through a side exit.
She switched off her phone, cutting off any incoming calls or messages.
It was now nine oclock in the evening.
Whistling a tune, she walked to the parking lot, but before she could get into her car, she was intercepted.
"Maam, Mr. Cullen sent me to pick you up."
A neatly dressed young man stood before her, smiling politely.
Mr. Cullen?
Jane Eyre, engrossed in the public humiliation of Claire and Noah, had forgotten about Edward Cullen.
She nodded and got into the car, allowing herself to be driven to the Cullen family estate.
Edward Cullen preferred tranquility, and his residence was in a secluded area, sparsely populated.
As they drove, the only lights visible were from the street lamps, with only the Cullen mansion brightly lit.
Edward Cullen was waiting in the bedroom, having already taken a shower.
Clad in a bath towel, he lounged on the leather sofa, sipping a glass of red wine, his gaze languid.
Jane Eyre entered and saw this scene, feeling her cheeks flush with color.
Before Edwards gaze could shift her way, she quickly retreated into the bathroom.
The sound of the water cascading did nothing to ease her tension and unease.
Her mind was filled with the traumatic memories of five years ago.
Jane Eyre felt as if her soul had left her body, her limbs stiffening.
She dawdled in the bathroom for nearly an hour before finally stepping out, reluctantly.
She was met with Edward Cullens somewhat aggressive gaze.
"Come here."
He was now leaning against the headboard, his voice slightly husky, beckoning her closer.
Jane Eyre hadnt taken a few steps when she was pulled into his arms by the impatient Edward Cullen.
Dizzy and disoriented, she heard the man casually say, "Lets begin."
Begin?
Jane Eyres mind went blank.
Was he asking her to take the initiative?
The man nonchalantly tugged at his towel, revealing his most intimate areas without a care.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Jane Eyres heart pounded like a drum, and she hastily averted her gaze.
"Your performance last night was quite good," he lazily appraised, "tonight, dont disappoint me."
Last night she was under the influence, she didnt even know what she was doing!
Jane Eyre regretted it now.
She really regretted it.
She thought she could get it over with just by gritting her teeth and stamping her foot, but it turned out to be so difficult.
Edward Cullen, noticing her distraction, frowned and directly took her hand, placing it over him, and sneered, "Whats the matter? Regretting it?"
Her hand felt the scorching heat beneath it, sending an electric shock straight to her core.
She hastily pulled away, leaning back slightly, her eyes filled with alertness and annoyance, glaring at Edward Cullen.
"Yes, I regret it. Mr. Cullen, we could consider a different deal..."
She couldnt sell her body while being sober.
She wanted to terminate the contract!
"Impossible!"
The mans eyes flashed with anger, his refusal adamant.
"Is Mrs. Cullen considering renegading on our agreement?" Edward Cullens expression was laced with sarcasm as he looked at Jane Eyre, his gaze predatory, "Do you really think your little drama at Evergreen tonight was flawless?"
"You still regret it?"
It was a blatant threat.
Jane Eyres heart raced, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
She forced herself to remain calm, lowered her eyes, and managed a smile, a hollow one, "Of course not."
She moved closer, gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and ruthlessly removed her bathrobe.
She could feel the mans gaze traveling over her body.
Her trembling hand reached for his chest, enduring the prickly sensation on her scalp as she circled downwards, unable to go further.
Edward Cullen was no longer patient with her teasing and took control, pinning her beneath him.
As he was about to make a move, the woman beneath him began to wriggle in panic.
Jane Eyre felt a warmth between her legs, and gushes of blood started to flow.
"Um," she said awkwardly, feeling both laugh and cry and relieved, "my period has started..."
Her menstrual cycle was always punctual. This time, it was timely.
She had dawdled in the bathroom for so long for a reason!
The man on top of her froze, unresponsive for a long while.
"Mr. Cullen, Im sorry, well have to continue this another day..."
She gently pushed at him, her lips pursed, looking pitiful.
Edward Cullen, however, didnt miss the slyness in her eyes.
This woman was doing this on purpose, she had to be!