Chapter 4 The Crazy Devil

"You see... what do you think of her?"

The voice came from a man hidden in the shadows. His tone was obsequious, like a lackey trying to appease his volatile boss. It was the kind of voice that made you want to smack him. Then, an eerie silence followed, so thick it felt like even the air had stopped moving.

Finally, another man's voice, cold as winter ice, broke the silence: "She's alright."

Just "alright"?

Such a stunning beauty, and to this cold man, she was merely "alright"?

"Do you... do you mean..."

Despite the lukewarm response, the sycophantic man was overjoyed, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Do you... do you mean..."

"You said you haven't touched her yet?" The cold man's voice cut through his sycophantic laughter, direct and unyielding.

"N-no, I haven't." The sycophantic man's voice seemed to choke for a second before he cautiously asked, "So... what do you think?"

The icy voice fell silent again for a long moment before begrudgingly uttering two words: "It's possible."

"Possible?" The sycophantic man's voice was suddenly filled with delight. "You mean... if she spends one night with you, then..."

"Ten days." The cold man sneered in the darkness, his voice as deep as a night hawk's. "She stays with me for ten days, and our old scores are settled."

"W-what? Ten days?" The sycophantic man cried out in shock.

If there had been light, it would have revealed his face, pale as a ghost.

"Are you sure? No woman has ever lasted more than three days with you. This..."

"William Smith, since when do you get to tell me how to handle my affairs? Listen carefully! Ten days! If you refuse, our deal is off..." The cold man abruptly turned, his fierce gaze piercing through the darkness, locking onto William.

"No! Don't cancel it!" William cried out in terror, nearly falling to his knees before the man.

"I agree! I agree! Just ten days! I'll convince her right away! She'll agree! Please, show mercy!"

"You better be telling the truth! If I find out she's been with another man, I'll make your death very unpleasant! And don't let her know who I am, or else..." The man finished with a cold laugh and turned to leave.

The unspoken "or else" was something William didn't even dare to imagine.

Left alone, William stared blankly at the now pitch-black window, his heart filled with endless regret.

He muttered to himself, his voice bitter.

"Laura, Laura, I'm sorry! Who were you crying to on the phone earlier? Could it be you already know I'm going to... sell you?"

Stumbling, William Smith made his way downstairs, each step feeling like it was crushing his heart.

Eventually, he found himself in the dimly lit corner bar. Like a man seeking redemption, he desperately poured strong liquor down his throat.

He hoped the burning sensation would wash away his fear and guilt.

As if drinking enough could make it all disappear like a bad dream.

It wasn't until the night grew late and his bloated stomach could hold no more that he finally stood up, staggering out the door.

His heart was filled with regret, but even more so with a deep-seated fear of the cold man.

He knew that man's methods were cruel beyond belief, making life a living hell.

Even the "gentlest" of his methods was something William would never want to experience.

William stumbled home, his eyes fixed on the slightly ajar bedroom door.

In the darkness, his eyes seemed to glow red, his breathing becoming rapid.

He struggled to calm himself, reaching out to slowly push the door open, then walked into the bedroom step by step.

He first gently locked the door, then approached the bed, gazing at the sleeping Laura in the moonlight.

Laura looked stunning in the night.

The soft moonlight highlighted her delicate features, making her beauty even more striking, tempting one to reach out and touch her.

Her eyelashes were thick, and a faint smile played on her lips. Was she having a sweet dream?

Seeing that smile, a wave of intense regret and unwillingness surged in William's eyes.

Gritting his teeth, he suddenly yanked the blanket off Laura and pounced on her!

"Ah! Who?"

Laura felt a heavy weight suddenly press down on her, waking her from her sleep with a scream, struggling.

"Who are you? You... William? What are you doing?"

Realizing it was William on top of her, Laura relaxed slightly, but her heart was still pounding with fear.

She screamed, trying to reach for the bedside lamp.

William's breath reeked of alcohol.

He seemed completely out of his mind, his eyes vacant and feverish. He ignored her struggles, grabbing her hand that was reaching for the lamp and pinning it above her head. He kissed her face wildly, tearing at her nightgown with his other hand.

He was actually going to...

"No! William! Are you crazy? Get off! Help! Dad! Mom! Help!" Realizing his intentions, Laura was terrified, struggling and screaming.

"Laura, you're mine! You're mine!" William couldn't hear her screams, continuing to tear at her nightgown.

Her nightgown was already torn in several places, exposing large patches of skin on her chest.

This sight further inflamed William Smith's senses, driving him into a frenzy as he kissed her neck.

"You're mine! No one can take you from me... Laura... Laura..."

"No... help!" Laura's voice trembled, trying to avoid his increasingly close, hot breath. But William's body was like a mountain, crushing her, making it hard to breathe.

Her vision blurred, and she nearly passed out!

She tried to dodge William's kisses, screaming louder: "Dad! Mom! Help! William, he... he... ah! No..."

Before she could finish, she screamed in pain.

William Smith had bitten her hard, then panted, "Why are you screaming? Laura, we're about to get married. You're destined to be mine. What's wrong with getting close? Or have you fallen for someone else, so you won't let me touch you?"