That comment stirred up a memory I wished I could forget—the blind date Grandma had set up for me that went horribly wrong. The man almost assaulted me that night.
After that, I started taking self-defense classes. I knew I wasn’t as strong as most men, but I didn’t want to be helpless again. I also decided not to tell Grandma what had happened. It would have broken her heart. Only my assistant, Jade, knew the full story.
The night of the blind date was burned into my memory.
“Good evening,” he greeted me with a smirk, his gaze slowly sizing me up as if I were an object.
“You are?” I asked, keeping my tone polite but firm.
“I’m Benedict Lee,” he announced with a self-satisfied smirk, as if his name alone should impress me.
I fought the urge to sigh. “I’m Lingzhi Witherspoon,” I replied flatly.
“Take a seat,” he said. “I assume you don’t need assistance.”
The audacity. “No, I’m fine,” I answered, seating myself without his help.
“I already ordered. Steak. Most women like it,” he added casually, without even asking if it was okay.
Oh, how thoughtful... not.
We ate in silence—well, until he decided to ruin it.
“I heard Madame Witherspoon adopted you. Your parents… they’re gone, right?”
I froze, fork in mid-air. “Did you dig into my past?”
“Obviously. I like to know who I’m dealing with.”
“That’s called invading someone’s privacy.”
He just shrugged. “You’re feisty for someone so small.”
That was it. I slammed my fork and knife down with enough force to silence the entire table.
“Do you know where men like you end up?” I asked icily.
His brow furrowed. “What?”
“The trash.”
His mouth opened and closed, too stunned to speak. I stood, grabbed my bag, and left without looking back.
I was halfway through the parking lot when I felt a hand clamp down on my arm. Spinning around, I found myself pinned against a wall. His expression was dark, frustration and anger simmering beneath the surface.
“What do you want, Mr. Lee?” I asked firmly.
“I’m upset,” he said through gritted teeth.
I smirked at his comment. “I’m not surprised. Based on how you treated me earlier and your rudeness, I could tell you have a hot temper.”
He smirked back. “Don’t you think you’re the one being rude now?”
“Really? How so? I’m just being honest. Or are you upset because I was too blunt? Or maybe because you can’t deny that you’re rude?”
“Don’t test my patience, Ms. Witherspoon,” he warned.
“What’s the matter? Can’t handle the truth?”
Before I could react, he grabbed me and forced a kiss on me. It was so sudden that I couldn’t dodge. My attempts to push him away were futile—I wasn’t strong enough. My voice trembled, but I kept struggling.
“Let go of me! Stop it!”
He tore at my dress, still trying to kiss me. My knees gave way under the weight of fear. Suddenly, a powerful punch knocked him backward.
“GET LOST, OR I’LL RUIN YOUR COMPANY,” a commanding voice boomed with undeniable authority, as if he knew Benedict Lee.
Benedict froze, wide-eyed with fear. Without another word, he fled to his car and drove off, even though he had been drinking. I collapsed in shock but managed to stay conscious—I couldn’t let Grandma find out.
The man who saved me approached, draping his coat over me. “Are you able to stand, Miss?”
“Y-Yes,” I stammered.
“May I help you?”
I nodded. He helped me to my feet. Tears blurred my vision, and my contact lenses had fallen out during the struggle.
“Thank you… for helping me,” I said quietly.
“Do you have a car here?”
“Yes… the red one,” I muttered, keeping my gaze fixed on the ground as we walked.
“Is there someone who can drive you home? I have a business meeting and can’t take you myself. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m just grateful you helped me. I’ll wait for my assistant here.”
“Let me get your car keys.”
“They’re in my bag—the one with the violin keychain.”
He must have picked up my bag when I fell. He found the keys, unlocked the car, and gently helped me into the back seat.
“Can I ask a favor?” I asked weakly.
“Of course.”
“Could you call my assistant? Her name is Jade. My phone’s already unlocked.” I handed him my phone and fell asleep shortly after.
“Excuse me, are you the one who called me?” Jade asked the man in a black suit.
“No. My boss called. He’s delayed for his business dinner and asked me to relay a message.”
“A message?”
He explained what had happened and handed her a USB Flash Drive containing CCTV footage. Then he left.
That’s how Jade learned what had happened. She was both worried and fearful that Grandma would find out. Later, I heard that Benedict Lee had been taken to the police station for driving under the influence.
I didn’t press charges. Instead, I visited his parents with my lawyer. They were furious and ashamed. I negotiated with them and issued a stern warning—no more enabling their son’s behavior.
