Chapter 44

ScarlettPOV

I don't know what "truth" that woman was referring to, but I decided to go to the Gray estate to find out for myself and verify whether everything Alexander had told me was true or false.

I checked my makeup one last time in the mirror, making sure it perfectly concealed the last few faint marks on my skin.

A week had passed, and I had patiently waited for all the marks on my body to disappear before coming to Sunny Cove.

I had contacted Tom beforehand, and sure enough, he was already waiting at the main gate.

When I stepped out of the car, I was surprised to find Tom actively approaching me.

"Miss Smith, Mr. Gray has just returned," Tom's voice carried a respect I had never heard before.

"Hmm," I nodded slightly, handing him the food while mentally noting this subtle change.

Since that night when we confronted each other in the car, Tom's attitude toward me had clearly shifted.

I knew that previously in his eyes, I was nothing more than Richard's passing fancy, a plaything he would discard within days. But who could have guessed that after all this time, I would still be Richard's fiancée?

Tom maintained his distance behind me, tentatively asking, "Mr. Gray was wondering if Miss Smith has been too busy with work lately. If you're too occupied, you needn't do these things personally."

"I'm not busy," I paused, deliberately making my laugh soft and elegant. "It's just preparing some desserts for him, hardly any trouble. Mr. Gray, on the other hand, has been working hard to resolve my father's debt issues—that's truly exhausting."

I carefully measured each word, understanding that here, every sentence could bring unexpected consequences.

Entering the main hall, Richard was discussing some acquisition plan with a man.

I immediately realized I shouldn't interrupt, simply nodding politely before heading upstairs.

While waiting in the hallway, I pretended to study the family portraits on the wall while contemplating my strategy for the evening.

Only when the maid came to notify me did I go downstairs. Richard's guest had already left. He signaled the servants to prepare dinner while beckoning me over.

A few days ago, Richard had once again paid off a debt for my family, so I rightfully should thank him.

"Mr. Gray..." I approached him, deliberately making myself appear docile and obedient. Seeing no aversion from him, I walked directly to his side.

When he shrugged slightly, I immediately understood his hint. Skillfully positioning myself behind his chair, I began massaging his shoulders.

The muscles beneath my fingertips were tense, no less firm than those of a younger man.

"I heard that Harber Group recently acquired some development properties in Suncrest City?" Richard suddenly asked.

My heart jumped, and the hands that were massaging him involuntarily slowed. He rarely discussed business matters with me.

Our conversations usually revolved around more superficial topics—discussing artwork or literature.

Recalling what happened in Suncrest City, I immediately became alert, though outwardly I maintained my composure.

"Yes. George plans to establish a branch there. He went to survey the area two weeks ago, and everything is progressing smoothly."

I deliberately avoided the main point, not daring to elaborate on my experiences in Suncrest City.

Deep down, I was certain Richard's sudden mention of this was no coincidence.

"Nothing else happened?" he probed, his tone seemingly casual.

Sure enough! My heart raced wildly. Calm down, Scarlett, calm down.

Quickly adjusting my expression, I moved around to face him. My eyes filled with tears at the appropriate moment, my expression turning to deep remorse.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept this from you!" I lowered my head, my voice trembling slightly. "Something did happen..."

My movement to kneel was decisive and swift. As my knees touched the ground, I could feel the soft carpet and the deep humiliation within my heart.

Richard looked somewhat surprised, his calculating eyes narrowing slightly. "Scarlett, what are you doing?"

"Mr. Gray... I didn't mean to conceal anything," I deliberately infused fear into my voice. "I was just worried that if you knew, you would misunderstand George's intentions."

"How so?" His speech was slow, his expression blank.

Precisely because I couldn't read his thoughts, I couldn't determine exactly what he had discovered.

Did he know I was drugged that night, then escorted into the elevator by George?

Or had he already discovered that I later left with Alexander?

At this moment, I could only take a gamble!

Richard suddenly threw several photos at my feet. "Take a look, is this you?"

Maintaining my lowered head, I slowly picked up the photos. In reality, I barely looked at them before admitting.

"It's me..." I said softly.

"Not photoshopped?" he asked again.

"They're real..." I held my breath, my heartbeat almost stopping as I quickly considered my next move.

"Do you know why I resolved the Silverpeak City matter so quickly?" Richard smiled, reaching down to pull me up from the floor.

He drew me into his arms, using his thumb to wipe away the tears on my face. My instinct was to recoil from his disgusting touch, but I forced myself to remain still.

I pressed my lips together, shaking my head slightly, while my mind raced, trying to guess his true intentions.

"Scarlett, I care about you," he continued, his voice gentle yet carrying a cold, penetrating quality. "When I received these photos, my first reaction was anger. I was furious that you were involved with someone else behind my back."

Hearing this, my body involuntarily trembled—this time it wasn't an act.

"Mr. Gray, that night actually—" I had just begun when he interrupted me.

"I know my Scarlett, she's so obedient. How could she deceive me? So I had someone investigate, and sure enough, we found the problem." As he spoke, he exchanged a glance with Tom.

The next moment, two badly injured men were dragged into the room. They were covered in blood, their faces so swollen they were unrecognizable.

I was genuinely frightened, a wave of nausea rising in my throat.

"Mr. Gray, what is this...?" I asked in horror, requiring no pretense this time.

"It was my oversight," Richard apologized unexpectedly tenderly.

"Scarlett, you know I'm a businessman, social occasions inevitably involve entertainment. In the past, I did have many female companions, but those were all superficial relationships. I never expected someone would target you, drug you, and attempt to sabotage our relationship."

"What are you saying?" I hadn't anticipated things would unfold this way.

I had originally expected to face his punishment tonight, never imagining the situation would take this direction...

"I know nothing happened between you and George," Richard caressed my face, his eyes full of seemingly sincere concern.

My eyes met his, outwardly calm, but my mind was filled with confusion and caution, warning bells ringing in my head.

Something was wrong! This was definitely not right!

I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent my expression from changing.

Richard was too shrewd; if he had genuinely investigated, he couldn't possibly be unaware of what happened after I rejected George.

Unless... he already knew about Alexander and me, but was deliberately concealing it.

My heart suddenly sank, as if plunging into an icy abyss. Or perhaps this was an elaborately designed trap, waiting for me to fall into it, like a snare waiting for prey to walk into its jaws.

A chill ran down my spine, but I still maintained a facade of gratitude and relief, like a sinner granted redemption, my lips turned slightly upward, my eyes glistening with grateful tears.