Ten minutes earlier…
"Bei Sangyun?"
Bei Sangyun whipped her head around, startled to see someone she hadn't expected. She tried to shake off the hand gripping her arm, but his hold was too tight. She glared at the hand and scowled, "Let go."
Richard only tightened his grip, his eyes roaming over her. "It's really you. It's been nearly five years... You've grown. Much prettier, too. Life must've been good to you."
Bei Sangyun felt a wave of discomfort at his gaze, laced with obvious malice. If they weren't at the Royal Banquet, she would have slapped him for looking at her like that.
"I told you to let go," she warned.
But Richard leaned in, his alcohol-laden breath brushing her ear. "I still remember how you framed me back then. Imagine getting accused like that—when I hadn't done a thing. I wouldn't feel this bad if I'd actually touched you that night."
