Chapter 39

Scarlett POV

Alexander's lips curled into a playful smile, his blue eyes gleaming with dangerous light, like a predator lurking in the deep sea. He slowly straightened his upper body, stretching himself.

"That," he said, "is the first honest thing you've said tonight."

There was no time to waste with him here. The digital clock now showed 4:13. Richard would arrive in seven minutes at most.

But Alexander showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable.

"Am I disturbing you, little wildcat?" he asked.

"Please leave!" I was practically begging him now, desperate that he not be present when Richard arrived.

He didn't answer. Instead, he suddenly stood up—remarkably agile for someone with a leg condition. Before I could step back, he was standing in front of me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

He leaned down, his lips lightly brushing against the small mole on the side of my neck, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

"What do you think my uncle's reaction would be if he saw how I take you to bed?"

Alexander's voice was playful, but his eyes were both focused and serious. I felt he wasn't joking but truly wanted to do this.

A surge of murderous intent rose within me.

If Richard weren't about to arrive, I would truly have killed Alexander, dismembered him, and flushed him down the toilet! The thought of this possibility gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

But there was no time to indulge in murderous fantasies. Alexander had to leave, immediately!

I lowered my eyes, assuming the submissive posture that had always been effective in the past.

"Please, Mr. Gray," I pleaded, my voice sounding fragile and vulnerable.

But this time, the effect was far from what I had anticipated. Alexander's blue eyes were filled with desire. He suddenly grabbed my shirt and tore it open before I could react.

I let out a gasp, goosebumps rising on my exposed skin.

Alexander looked at me with the eyes of a predator examining its prey. His finger slid to my chin, lifting it gently.

"What day of the month does the drug program take effect?" he suddenly asked.

Hearing this question, all the blood in my body seemed to freeze. I stared at him, my eyes betraying a flicker of fear.

After a few seconds of silence, I finally spoke, my voice barely audible, "The seventh of each month. The effect lasts three days."

"Good," he released me with a satisfied nod. "Next time... satisfy me first, before serving the old man."

Watching his retreating back, my fingers unconsciously clutched the hem of my clothes, my nails digging deep into my palms.

A wave of intense anger rose from the depths of my chest, burning through every nerve in my body.

If I could, I would end this all right now—grab the crystal ornament from the table and smash it against the back of his head, watch him fall, watch him bleed.

But I couldn't, at least not now.

I hurriedly changed into a soft pink silk nightgown, my hands trembling with nervousness.

This nightgown was much more conservative than my usual attire, as I didn't want to provoke the dark desires in Richard's heart.

Just as I finished preparing some simple food, I heard the doorbell ring.

Taking a deep breath, I put on a gentle, sweet expression and went to open the door.

Richard stood at the doorway, holding his suit jacket, a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

At forty-eight, Richard remained handsome, his dark hair elegantly sprinkled with silver at the temples, his face bearing the refined features that only old money and power could sculpt.

I had to admit, if I didn't know his true nature, I might well have been attracted to his mature and wealthy appearance.

"Smells delicious," he said with a slight upturn of his lips.

"Mr. Gray." I smiled, taking his jacket and hanging it on the coat rack by the door. Then I stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, intimate and natural.

But the moment my lips touched his face, an indescribable feeling of disgust rose from the depths of my heart. I quickly lowered my head to conceal my emotions.

By the time I had composed myself, Richard had already walked into the living room and seated himself on the sofa.

I walked behind him and gently massaged his shoulders.

This was our routine, confirming his dominant position while I played the role of serving and pleasing him.

"Your business in Silverpeak City must have been very busy lately," I asked softly, my fingers applying appropriate pressure on his tense muscles.

I'd heard that his business negotiations hadn't gone as smoothly as expected, which was why his return had been repeatedly delayed.

"It was fine," he closed his eyes, enjoying my massage. "Smoother than expected."

The answer was too vague, but I had anticipated that he wouldn't share the real details of his work with me.

"I've never been to Silverpeak..." I said thoughtfully, calculating in my mind how to guide the conversation to make him lower his guard.

"My foster parents were very strict with me. I rarely visited many cities in the country, let alone abroad."

What I said was true. The Smith family's control over me had always been strict, not out of protection, but because they viewed me as a potential return on investment.

I was nothing but a commodity in their eyes, and now a plaything in Richard's.

Richard turned to look at me, his eyes showing shallow sympathy—he was most skilled at this kind of pretense, just like me.

"If you want to go, we can arrange a trip sometime, like a honeymoon?"

Honeymoon! My heart skipped a beat, fear piercing my chest like a sharp icicle.

Marrying Richard meant I could never escape him; he would have even more complete control over me.

I was so nervous I could barely breathe, but on the surface, I maintained a calm smile, as if I had just heard the most wonderful promise in the world.

"That would be wonderful," I answered softly, but inside I was thinking that I absolutely could not marry him.

Seemingly wanting to be more intimate, Richard took my hand and pulled me to the front of the sofa, seating me on his lap.

Glancing over my conservative nightgown, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Has the drug's effect worn off?"

I hadn't expected this question and was caught off guard.

The drug Richard mentioned was part of the Gray family's secret research. I had been taking it for three months.

The drug took effect on the 7th of each month, lasting three days. During those three days... I preferred not to recall those moments.

And during my business trip to Suncrest City with George, the drug had taken effect early.

Having no choice, I carefully watched his expression as I answered, "Yes, the effect has worn off."

Richard suddenly frowned, a flash of alertness in his eyes. "Where were you when it last took effect? I remember I was at the meeting in Silverpeak City then."

My heart raced. During the last drug episode, I had been "coincidentally" encountered and taken away by Alexander, but Richard absolutely could not know about this.

"I... was at home," I said, looking at him with weak, pitiful eyes, hoping to get away with it.

Richard looked at me, seemingly trying to determine if I was telling the truth, his eyes full of possessiveness.

Meanwhile, his hand slid under my nightgown like a venomous snake, rough fingers moving up along my thigh. Everywhere he touched sent shivers through me.

My heart sank deeper. Just as I thought I couldn't escape tonight's ordeal, a phone ringtone sounded from his pocket.

I felt his hand, which was about to touch my sensitive area, pause. Richard glanced at the screen, his lips tightening slightly.

"Alexander?"