Chapter 5

Jane's POV

The next afternoon. I had just wrapped up a successful meeting with Goldman Sachs - another multi-million dollar deal secured. Ryan had been waiting outside my office for nearly an hour. His usually impeccable appearance showed signs of strain.

"Ms. James," he began hesitantly, "about the matter you asked me to investigate..."

I looked up at him. "Regarding Lyra?"

"I've been following her for two weeks now. There's..." he shifted uncomfortably, "no evidence of any affairs."

Damn it. I maintained my composed expression, though internally I was seething. Hunter must have warned Layla not to meet with her toyboys.

"Keep looking," I ordered, my voice cool and measured.

He nodded, then hesitated before adding, "About the other matter..."

I cut him off. "First, find evidence of Lyra having a toyboy. Hunter's holding evidence of your attempt to bribe him - I need something equally damaging to ensure he destroys it."

"Of course, Ms. James. I'll keep searching."

After Ryan left, I stood and walked to the window. The setting sun painted the glass towers in shades of gold and crimson.

A slow smile began to curl at the corners of my mouth. 'This is getting more interesting, Hunter. Let's see how you handle tonight'.

In the evening, I adjusted my white off-the-shoulder dress and walked into the bustling Skyline Bar. I spotted Hunter and Mike at the far end of the bar.

Hunter happened to look over at the same time, his characteristic scowl on display.

I slowly walked over and sat down on the bar stool next to Mike, pointedly ignoring Hunter. "Whiskey," I told the bartender, crossing my legs to let my dress ride up slightly.

"Mike," I purred, running my fingers along his tie. "This suit brings out your eyes beautifully. You must be very strong."

Hunter's jaw tightened visibly. "Some people never tire of playing dangerous games," he said coldly, his voice carrying that aristocratic edge that both irritated and attracted me.

I turned to face him, arching an eyebrow. "At least Mike knows how to treat a lady, not like some people who are sly and rough."

"Speaking of being rough...," Hunter's steel-gray eyes fixed on me with predatory intensity. "Who was it that unbuckled my belt the other night and kept moaning all night long?"

My fingers tightened around the crystal tumbler. This bastard, deliberately portraying me as some sexually aggressive woman in front of his friend, letting everyone know about my performance during sex? Furious, I grabbed his silk tie and crashed my lips against his. The bar fell silent. I could feel dozens of eyes staring at us. Think what you want, what does it matter?

What I hadn't planned was Hunter's response. He seized control of the kiss, one hand gripping my waist while the other tangled in my hair. The kiss was brutal, possessive, nothing like the teasing move I'd originally intended.

When he finally released me, I was breathless but managed to hiss, "I'll make you beg on your knees."

Mike, ever the helpful idiot, immediately typed something on his phone. Moments later, my phone received a notification from the class group chat.

I took it out and glanced at it, "Jane can make Hunter beg on his knees for love, bet $100,000."

Annoyed, I kicked this man's shin with my high heel, causing Mike to wince in pain. I poured myself another full glass of drink, using the alcohol to calm my anger. After finishing it, I slammed down the glass and headed to the restroom.

The corridor to the ladies' room was dimly lit. Three men materialized from the shadows, their intentions clear in their stance.

"Miss James," one of them growled, "someone wants to teach you a lesson."

I smiled coldly, full of anger and looking for a place to vent. I slipped off my high heels, turned around to face the men, and asked sternly, "Who sent you here?"

"You don't need to know who sent us, but someone wants your legs, so you can never stand in a courtroom again..."

After saying this, the first one lunged. I sidestepped, using his momentum to slam him into the wall. The second tried to grab me from behind, but my elbow found his solar plexus. The third hesitated, and I moved forward to directly grab him by the collar.

Hunter appeared just as I was about to finish the third man. He moved with lethal grace, easily subduing the first two men who had gotten up again and were planning to attack me.

"Who sent you?" Hunter pressed his foot against one of their faces, his voice icy.

"It was..." The man's eyes darted nervously.

"It was Mrs. Warren from the Warren Group. She said Lawyer James put her husband in prison and told us to teach her a lesson."

Hunter kicked him forcefully against the wall, then instructed Mike, who had rushed over, to hand them over to the police.

I deliberately stumbled, letting my ankle buckle. "Ouch..."

He caught me instantly, strong arms sweeping me up and carrying me toward the exit. I froze. Was he worried about me?

I nestled against his chest, hiding my triumphant smile in his jacket.

In the car, he asked me, "Does it still hurt? Do you want to go to the hospital?"

"It's better now. Take me to your place, you can just apply some medicine for me," I continued, pretending to be pitiful.

"Stop playing with fire, Jane." His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "I'm taking you back to your own place."

My fingers traced along his thigh. "No, I want to go to your place."

"Isn't this what you said?" His voice was cold. "Just a game?"

"Maybe I've changed my mind." I leaned closer, my breath lingering by his ear. When I teased him with my fingers along his thigh, he tensed up, shooting me a glance. Then he still grabbed my restless hand, ignoring my protests, and drove straight to my house.