Clenching her teeth so hard it felt like they might break, Karina finally looked up, forcing a smile in Serena's direction.
"M-Miss Knowles..." Each word was painfully difficult to say. "It was my fault! I shouldn't have disturbed your rest or spoken so rudely to you. I... sincerely apologize and hope... you can forgive me."
Serena nodded with satisfaction. "Mhm! Now that's more like it."
Karina secretly let out a breath of relief.
But in the next second, she heard Serena say, "What if I don't forgive you? After all, your insults earlier were truly vile. Even after washing my ears several times, they still feel dirty!"
"..." This time, Karina was on the verge of exploding!
She felt her tolerance being pushed to the absolute limit.
She was clenching her fists so hard that her nails were nearly digging into the flesh of her palms.
But in front of Xavier-and with Brody holding the camera behind her-she had no choice but to hold it all in with all her might.
She forced herself to speak as politely as possible, "Then, may I ask, Miss Knowles, what exactly do you want me to do in order for you to forgive me?!"
"Well..." Serena looked down, casually picking at her nails. Then she lightly flicked a speck of dust toward Karina. "I remember Miss Carter is quite skilled at slapping people."
Karina's expression froze. She stammered, "W-What do you mean by that?!"
"You're a smart woman, Miss Carter. I'm sure you understand perfectly well what I mean."
"Serena Knowles!" She was so angry her voice had turned hoarse.
"Whether you do it or not is up to you. I honestly don't care! Worst case, I just won't forgive you."
Through gritted teeth, Karina hissed, "So what if you don't forgive me?! You think I care about your forgiveness?!"
"Of course, Miss Carter doesn't think much of me. But..." Serena tilted her chin in Brody's direction. "If today's footage accidentally leaks, I'm afraid your graceful, well-mannered image as a young lady of high status will be completely ruined."
Serena knew exactly where Karina's weak spot was!
Sure enough, the moment she said that, Karina's face turned ashen.
Serena smiled faintly. She had been certain that someone like Karina-who was so good at pretending-must value her reputation above all else.
"Serena, must you be this ruthless?!" Karina, making one last attempt, threatened, "They say, 'leave room for maneuver in case we meet again.' Are you sure you want to burn all bridges?"
Unfazed, Serena raised a brow and met her gaze. "I'm simply making a reasonable request-how is that being ruthless?"
Then, she flicked her fingers lightly, her expression relaxed and casual. "Actually, to be fair, I should return all the insults you hurled at me earlier. But unfortunately, your words were just too filthy. I wouldn't even know how to say them aloud. So I'm compromising-letting you cancel it out with a slap to yourself."
"But don't feel too bad after doing it. I'm being generous here, choosing to suffer a little for the sake of peace. After all, Miss Carter and I are... not the same kind of people."
Karina's face went from ashen to deathly pale.
She looked up at Xavier, hoping he might step in to help her.
Unfortunately, the man had his back to her the whole time, giving her no chance to plead.
A moment later, Serena grew impatient. She asked, "Sir, could I trouble you to give me a copy of the video footage of Miss Carter's apology today?"
"Well..."
His hesitation rekindled a spark of hope in Karina's heart.
She looked at him with pleading eyes.
A few seconds later, the man smiled and replied, "Of course. Miss Knowles is the victim here-there's nothing wrong with giving you a copy."
Karina's expression froze completely. She stood there in a daze, staring at Xavier's back.
How could this be?! How could he give Serena the footage?!
With that video, she'd basically be holding Karina's life in her hands!
If it ever got posted online, she might face complete public annihilation!
Serena nodded to Xavier, then turned to Karina. "Miss Carter, I'll give you one more minute. If you still refuse, I won't waste any more time here."
Gritting her teeth, Karina slowly raised her trembling hand.
"Serena, do you mean it? If I slap myself, can you guarantee that none of today's footage will be leaked?"
"Of course! I told you, I'm not like you. I keep my word."
"Fine, I... agree!"
With that, she raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face.
Five red finger marks immediately appeared on her pale cheek.
Serena curled her lips in satisfaction. "Very good! Miss Carter, I now accept your apology."
She turned to Brody. "Please clip the footage of Miss Carter slapping herself and show it to Franda at the front desk."
Brody, unsure of her intent, didn't immediately respond and looked to Xavier for instruction.
The man gave a small nod.
Brody then said, "Alright, Miss Knowles. I'll edit it and show it to Franda."
Only now did Karina realize what was going on.
No wonder Serena insisted she slap herself-turns out it was to avenge the front desk girl she had slapped that morning!
An overwhelming sense of humiliation filled her heart. She had never felt so debased in her life.
With her status, what was it to slap a front desk clerk?!
Although she didn't know Serena's exact background, she at least knew she was staying in the presidential suite.
Being forced to apologize to Serena was already bad enough, but to indirectly apologize to a mere receptionist?
She had never suffered such indignity!
In a muffled voice, she asked, "Can I leave now?"
"Please, Miss Carter!" Serena shrugged.
Karina turned sharply and strode away.
As she walked off, her face twisted into something dark and sinister. Her eyes were filled with venom, as if the end of the corridor held Serena's beautiful but loathed face.
***