15 Despicable

Alla had not anticipated that Billie would resort to deception, and found herself suddenly disoriented. Casiano, a man of fastidious principles, had once dictated that she was not to engage intimately with anyone else. She had intended to elucidate her situation to Casiano, but their relationship had already reached its denouement, making her feel that any explanation would be superfluous.

Caught in a quandary, Casiano unexpectedly gestured towards her, remarking dryly, "Since she's so pristine, let her pour." Seeing Casiano willing to give Alla an opportunity, Billie hastily handed the wine back to her, urging, "Quickly now." Alla had thought Casiano would be incensed, but was taken aback when he showed no signs of emotional fluctuation and instead decided to let her pour the wine.

This left Alla somewhat confounded, but under Billie's prodding, she reluctantly took the bottle of wine and bent down to pour it for him. Before the wine could make it into the glass, his hand, with its clearly defined knuckles, covered the glass's opening. He lifted his eyes, as disinterested as fog, and coldly commanded her, "Kneel and pour."

With this, Billie could affirm with certainty that Casiano was deliberately targeting Alla. He was puzzled, however. Why would Casiano single out Alla? Did they know each other? Upon hearing the three words 'kneel and pour', Alla reacted with disbelief—she had indeed been Casiano's lover, but she was not a servant at his beck and call.

Alla straightened up and told Casiano, "Mr. Davies, I'm unsure where I may have offended you. If you find my presence objectionable, I'll take my leave now and cease any disturbance." With that, she placed the wine bottle on the table, picked up her bag, and turned to depart. But Billie caught hold of her, chiding, "Don't be so obtuse. Even if Mr. Davies finds you distasteful, you mustn't offend him."

He had a project to discuss, and he didn't want to lose it because of Alla. He tried to cajole Alla, but seeing her determination to leave, his gaze suddenly turned icy. Lowering his voice so only Alla could hear, he threatened, "Don't forget about your dear friend."

Alla instantly calmed down. She had anticipated using Casiano's difficulties as an escape, but she hadn't expected Billie to insist on her appeasing Casiano for the sake of the project, even using Maggie as leverage. This infuriated Alla. Yet, not wanting to implicate Maggie, she turned back around, picked up the glass, and knelt in front of Casiano.

The moment she knelt, Lilianna laughed gleefully, Eric frowned, the look of concern on Billie's face was fleeting, and the others reveled in the spectacle. Only Casiano, leaning back on the couch like a monarch with absolute power, looked on from above. Recalling the intimate moments they shared over hundreds of days and nights, Alla suddenly felt it was all for naught. She had hoped to exit gracefully, but never imagined she would have to degrade herself to appease him. Perhaps that was the disparity in their statuses—being his lover for five years, she was destined to be trampled underfoot.

Fortunately, she knew her life was nearing its end. A few more months of endurance, and it would all be over. Thinking of her impending departure from this world, she felt resigned. She completed pouring the wine while kneeling and then handed it to him. Casiano extended his slender fingers and accepted the glass. Just when Alla thought he would drink it, he abruptly lifted the glass over her head and poured it slowly onto her.

The red wine slid down her hair, dripped onto her pallid face, her thin neck, her slender dress... It wasn't until the wine dripped onto the back of her hand that she slowly lifted her gaze in disbelief towards Casiano. He, however, with eyes as cold as frost, looked back at her with contempt. "Degradable," he said, his voice so cold that it sent chills down her spine and caused her to tremble uncontrollably.

She clenched her fist and bit her lower lip, staring intently at Casiano as if trying to bore a hole through him. Casiano was, however, utterly indifferent. He picked up a handkerchief, wiping the fingers that had touched her when he took the glass. To Alla, this was like a knife stabbing directly into her heart. He had splashed wine on her and called her 'degradable'. He must have found her repulsive—this was his revenge.

Alla wanted to ask him why he cared whether she was dirty or not, given their relationship was over. But she didn't have the courage to speak out. She hadn't yet escaped Billie, and if she further provoked Casiano, her nine lives wouldn't be enough to bear their maltreatment.

Having cleaned his hand, Casiano tossed the handkerchief away, stood up, and left without a word. Half of the bodyguards in the room, noticing his departure, promptly followed him.