Her Butler

I have waited three years for this engagement banquet. The chandelier in the banquet hall dazzled my eyes, but all I saw was Viola Scott. Before I could reach Viola Scott, a figure blocked my way. It was Michael Carter, the butler who had served Viola Scott for ten years. He held an Agreement in his hand, almost identical to the one I saw three years ago. I didn't reach out, my gaze passing over him to rest on Viola. "Is this your doing again?"My voice was low, afraid I might hear a tremor in it. Viola swirled the red wine glass in her hand, spilling a few drops. She smiled faintly, her tone casual: "I didn't arrange this, but Michael did nothing wrong." "He wouldn't betray me."She said that sentence with clear determination. I watched her submissive demeanor, saw the indifference in her eyes, and suddenly smiled myself. I should have long ago returned to being my true self, Young Master Lincoln. "Mr. Lincoln, please sign."Michael Carter's tone was commanding, as if I owed him millions. I took the Agreement, clenched my fingers tightly, and the paper instantly crumpled. The next moment, that crumpled paper hit Michael Carter's face. "Make your identity clear."I stared at him without showing any goodwill. Ignoring Michael Carter's sullen face, I turned to Viola Scott: "I waited three years, only to have your butler boss me around?" The Banquet Hall was silent, all eyes fixed on Viola Scott. Viola shot me a sharp glance, her voice rising a notch: "Michael has been with me since he was ten. During these three years abroad, do you know how much he's helped me?" "Is it just three more years to wait? Do you have to be this furious?" Her words stabbed at my heart like needles. My mind buzzed, and suddenly her words from three years ago resurfaced. "Mike, wait for me three years, and when I come back, we'll get engaged." "Michael always makes you unhappy. During these three years, I will take good care of him." But now, she has completely forgotten those words. This morning, when I went to the airport to pick her up, I deliberately wore the white shirt she used to like. I wanted to rush over and hug her, but Michael Carter reached out and stopped me. "Ms. Scott's status has changed. She has to maintain her image in public."When he said this, his eyes were filled with disdain. "If you want to get close to Ms. Scott, you'll need to disinfect yourself first."Those words left me frozen on the spot. Viola Scott stood beside me without saying a word, as if she hadn't seen any of it. Later, when I went to the restroom and came back out, I saw that my car had vanished without a trace. After asking the airport staff, I learned that Michael Carter had driven my car and taken Viola Scott away first. I called her, but she replied impatiently, "Michael is doing this for my own good, so don't be so petty." "Don't cause trouble before the Engagement Banquet."She added that before hanging up. For her, I endured. But now, that endurance feels like a joke. Michael touched his bruised face and actually laughed, "Refusing to sign means you're not sincere enough to Ms. Scott." "Don't forget, the queue of people wanting to pursue Ms. Scott could stretch all the way down the street."The pride in his tone was impossible to conceal. He thought I would still endure as before, thought I would sign that humiliating Agreement. But he was wrong. "Smack!" The sharp slap echoed especially loudly in the Banquet Hall. "You're behaving like this—are you trying to chase after her too?"I stared at him, enunciating each word. Michael Carter was stunned, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles cracking, on the verge of striking. Suddenly, the table was slammed with a loud bang. Viola Scott stood up, holding a gun, the muzzle aimed straight at my forehead.