Chapter 4

She held the trophy, but there was no joy on her face. She didn't intend to hand it over to Vanessa either. Instead, she bit her lips and spoke with fragile vulnerability, like a wounded fawn: 'Nessa, the director told me to deliver this trophy to you. It's very prestigious. You're so awesome.' 'I want to ask you for something. I've never won this award before. Can I borrow this trophy for a few days?' Borrow it for a few days? Vanessa had never heard such an absurd request. She frowned and curled her lips in a mirthless smile: 'If you know you have the audacity, then don't make such a request. If you really like it, go participate in the competition yourself.' After saying that, she reached out to take the trophy from Hannah Zahn's arms. Hannah Zahn's face flushed and paled alternately. She looked like she had been bullied badly. 'Nessa, how can you talk to me like that? I'm not stealing it from you. I just want to keep it at home to motivate myself. Is that not okay?' Seeing Vanessa reaching out to take the trophy, Hannah Zahn hugged it even tighter and refused to let go. In the struggle, the crystal trophy fell to the ground with a loud thud and shattered into pieces. Keanu and Seamus happened to walk by and saw this. They rushed forward and wrapped their arms around Hannah Zahn protectively. 'Hannah!' The two of them surrounded Hannah Zahn, their faces filled with fear as they carefully checked if she was hurt. Keanu carefully rolled up the hem of Hannah's dress and saw that her calf had been cut by the glass. His eyes narrowed in pain. 'I'll take you to the hospital!' Ignoring Hannah Zahn's struggles, he swept her up in a bridal carry and left. Seamus looked at the broken glass on the ground, his face dark with anger. He demanded, 'Vanessa, you already have everything. Why are you still trying to take things from Hannah?' Take? Hearing this word, Vanessa almost laughed in anger. 'This is my trophy. I worked hard for three months to get it. It's my honor. But she held onto it with a pitiful expression. Are you saying I'm the one taking it from her?' She was so angry that her body trembled slightly. She pointed at the broken glass on the ground, her voice cold enough to freeze ice. 'Now she has broken the trophy. I want Hannah Zahn to apologize to me.' She thought that her words were enough to explain who was right and who was wrong. However, Seamus became even angrier after hearing her words. His voice rose several degrees: 'I thought it was something important, but it's just a trophy. There are plenty of trophies. How can it compare to Hannah? You made her get injured. I think it's not her who should apologize to you, but you should apologize to her!' After saying that, Seamus didn't bother to see Vanessa's reaction. He hurriedly chased after Keanu to take care of Hannah Zahn. Looking at the broken glass on the ground, Vanessa was stunned for a moment. Her mind was filled with Seamus' words. He actually wanted her to apologize to Hannah Zahn? To make the victim apologize to the perpetrator. Seamus, how chivalrous of you! Her heart ached, and she suddenly felt a slight pain in her leg. She realized that her leg had also been cut, a gash snaking down her leg like crimson ivy that was even more severe than Hannah Zahn's... Vanessa gritted her teeth, endured the pain, cleaned up the broken glass on the ground, and then went back to treat her own wound. That night, Vanessa received a message from Diane. She sent over a dozen bridal gown designs and asked Vanessa to choose which one she liked. Vanessa looked through them one by one and then called Diane. They talked for a while, and Diane sensed the exhaustion in Vanessa's voice. She couldn't help but ask what had happened. Thinking about the injustice she had suffered today, Vanessa's eyes welled up with tears, but she didn't say anything. She changed the subject: 'Mom, I think I can finish my work here in about a week. How's the wedding preparation going?' At that moment, Keanu and Seamus happened to come home. Hearing the last two words from Vanessa, they both asked in unison: 'Wedding? What wedding?'