Chapter 1 You Should Go to Bed First

Late at night, a striking woman in black, sporting sunglasses, stood at the entrance of the Manhattan Grand Hotel, clutching a pristine white lily.

She'd been pacing there for over an hour.

This was the swankiest hotel in City A, a spot only the rich could swing. With over eight hundred rooms of all kinds, the place was famous for its fancy design and classy decor.

Guests here always felt super comfy and right at home.

Taking a deep breath, she seemed to make up her mind. She tightened her grip on the lily and stepped inside.

"Ms. Laura Harvey? Please follow me," a smiling woman, who looked like hotel staff, said to her.

Laura realized the lily in her hand was actually a signal.

Nodding, she followed the staff member into the elevator.

As the staff member hit the button for the 8th floor and the elevator doors closed, it felt like she was being whisked from a bright world into a dark dungeon.

Because tonight, she was here for a "black rendezvous" filled with a sense of despair.

Standing at the door of room 888.

"Ms. Laura Harvey, this is your room. You should know what to do next. I'll head back to the lobby now. Goodbye!"

The staff member kept her charming smile as she spoke.

Laura let out a cold laugh and casually tossed the lily onto the floor by the door.

She pulled out the room key from her pocket, opened the door, and walked in.

Meanwhile, the staff member had already taken the elevator back down from the eighth floor.

"By midnight, I want to see a white lily at the door of room 888 in the Manhattan Grand Hotel, or else..." This was the message relayed to her from "him," delivered in his usual threatening tone.

The room was pitch dark, with only the moonlight streaming in, letting her barely make out the luxurious presidential suite.

Laura sighed softly. She wanted to turn on the light but remembered his words: "From the moment you enter room 888, you are not allowed to turn on the light, or else..."

She lowered her hand, her face hidden in the darkness, but her eyes shone like stars, warm and bright.

"Once you enter the room, take a shower, then get into bed and wait for me. Tonight, I hope you won't disappoint me! Or else..." Standing in the room, despite trying to avoid it, she couldn't help but recall the most important part of his instructions.

With a loud "bang," the bathroom door was slammed shut. Laura let out a cold laugh and turned to walk in.

The moonlight was still so beautiful, enough to make one's heart flutter...

Laura spent a long time in the bathroom, making sure she was thoroughly clean.

As she dried her long, silky hair, she carefully made her way to the bed in the dark, just about to sit down...

Suddenly, "You're very punctual." A cold male voice came from behind her, as chilling and crisp as the Antarctic ice.The voice was pleasant but a bit raspy, making it tough to guess the speaker's age.

Startled by the sudden voice, Laura let out a soft gasp and quickly turned around to see who was speaking.

In the moonlight, she saw a man sitting on the sofa behind her.

The room was too dark to see his face clearly, and he wore a mask shaped like an eagle, which glinted coldly in the dim light.

Despite the eerie appearance of the masked man in the moonlight, Laura wasn't scared. Instead, she let out a cold laugh.

"You've got leverage over me, so of course, I have to keep my word. Not letting me turn on the light and covering your face, you just don't want me to know who you are. But I should remind you of something."

The man seemed intrigued by Laura's calm demeanor. He paused briefly before asking, "What is it?"

"I'm a teacher at a school for the deaf and mute," Laura said with a cold smile, tossing the towel aside.

"So I'm very sensitive to voices. If I've heard a voice once, I can recognize it the second time. So, if you really don't want me to know who you are, you'd better change your voice or just not speak at all."

The man was silent for a moment before suddenly standing up and walking toward her.

He exuded an indescribable sense of oppression, like a predator in the forest eyeing its trapped prey.

"I admire your composure, Laura Harvey. I hope you maintain this unique demeanor in the game to come. Thank you for the reminder, so I'll tell you that the voice you're hearing now isn't my real voice. If I want to keep something hidden, only God might know besides me. Now, it's time for you to perform. You know your family's lives depend on what happens on this bed."

As he approached, the sudden pressure made Laura involuntarily take a few steps back. Her earlier composure had vanished.

"You... stay away..."

The man didn't stop. Instead, he continued to advance toward her.

His voice was filled with aggression and undeniable possessiveness.

"Stay away? Are you refusing me, Laura Harvey? Didn't William Smith warn you about the consequences of refusing me? Are you sure you're willing to face those consequences?"

Standing right in front of her, the man stared at her through the mask's slits with eyes that seemed to pierce her soul.

His gaze was as cold as a wolf's, making Laura's heart tighten.

She knew that tonight, she was like prey caught by a wolf, with no escape.

Clenching her teeth, Laura fought to suppress her fear and disgust.

She knew she had no right to refuse, as her family's lives were in this man's hands.

"I... I know I have no way out. Tell me, what do I need to do?"

The man sneered, suddenly reaching out to yank the towel from her body, then pushing her onto the bed.

"You should start by getting on the bed."