Chapter 7

Scarlett POV

I resigned myself to my fate, slowly unbuttoning my shirt to reveal my full breasts.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, letting the cigar burn at his fingertips.

Suddenly, he caressed my face with his hand, as if petting a cat.

I angrily turned my head away; he could humiliate me, but I could also refuse.

Seeing this gesture, he didn't get angry. Instead, he slowly put the cigar to his lips, took a puff, blew out smoke rings, and then placed the cigar in my mouth.

At this moment, I admit I was a bit captivated by him.

But the moment my lips touched the cigar, I was immediately surrounded by a complex mixture of flavors. Aged tobacco, cedar, and an indescribable bitterness.

I immediately came to my senses. Alexander, that bastard—I don't smoke!

Alexander watched me with interest. Even as he reclined on the leather sofa, his muscles appeared poised and ready.

"Not to your taste?" There was a commanding tone in his voice.

Although it was a question, it didn't sound like he was inquiring about my feelings. Was this a trick he used when training his subordinates in the military?

"Cough, cough." I was still coughing. Hearing this, I could only desperately suppress my discomfort.

"If you want to leave, the door is right there."

No, I couldn't leave! He was my last hope. Since I'd come, I needed to get results.

I forced myself to remain still, struggling to speak a complete sentence: "Mr. Grey, please... I need your help."

Suddenly, without warning, Alexander reached out, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me onto his lap.

His strength was considerable, making the movement effortless. Just then, I felt him become aroused.

A flash of memory from that night passed through my mind, and I looked at him in terror, not forgetting how he had tormented me that night.

"Still shy? I prefer how you were that night." His breath wafted softly past my ear.

Damn it, that night was special. Did he think I was this accommodating with every man?

Before I could react, he turned my head toward the other side of the room. I was startled by the scene before me.

I instantly widened my eyes, my soul nearly leaving my body at the scene before me.

In the dark corner, a man and woman were intimately entwined.

The man's silhouette made my heart tighten—it was too familiar—those broad shoulders, that habitual slight tilt of the head, almost exactly like George.

Images flashed through my mind: his smile, his gentleness, the way he looked when working at his desk... It couldn't be him!

I clenched my teeth, wanting to step closer for a better look.

Just then, they changed positions. In the dim light, the man's face came clearly into my view, along with their intertwined bodies, exposed completely.

The woman's appearance made my throat tighten—her features were shockingly similar to mine, like a strange and horrifying version of myself.

And that man... it was George!

My heart sank violently, anger, fear, and despair intertwined, almost tearing me apart.

"What did you do to him!"

I spun around, angrily confronting Alexander, my voice trembling yet razor-sharp with heartbreaking intensity.

George couldn't possibly be like this, couldn't possibly be having sex with someone else in public, he wasn't that kind of person! My chest heaved violently.

"You really do like him, don't you? Even when you see him having sex with another woman, your first concern is for his safety."

Alexander's voice was low, tinged with mockery, like salt being rubbed into my wound.

I glared at him, my eyes filled with hatred.

Alexander suddenly grabbed my hair, with such force that my scalp stung sharply.

He forcibly dragged me closer to the couple, commanding in a low voice, "Look carefully."

He seemed determined to witness my pain. So close to them that I could smell the sweat and lust permeating the air.

At that moment, I could barely think.

Even with an audience, the couple didn't pause their lovemaking for a moment, completely immersed in passion.

I forced myself to stare at the man, trying to find evidence that he wasn't George.

Looking closely, the man's build and outline indeed resembled George greatly, but his face had a certain lewdness to it, lacking the clarity in George's eyes and brows.

It wasn't George!

I sighed in relief, but immediately, a deeper sense of humiliation and anger surged up, and tears I could no longer control streamed down my cheeks.

"Enough! What exactly do you want from me?"

My voice was hoarse and broken.

Looking up, I stared directly at Alexander, tears blurring my vision, but I didn't want him to see my weakness.

He stared at me for a while, his gaze so profound it was impossible to decipher.

Suddenly, he viciously kicked the coffee table, with such force that the crystal glasses rattled. I jumped at this sudden action, my body instinctively shrinking back.

"Get out!" he roared at the couple, his voice full of disgust and impatience.

They finally stopped, frantically grabbing their scattered clothes, not even having time to dress properly before stumbling out of the scene.

I stood motionless, tears still silently flowing, my chest feeling hollow, both angry and bewildered.

The room fell silent, the atmosphere becoming even more dangerous.

Alexander's fingers traced along my waist, like a venomous snake crawling over my body, the sensation burning hot.

"Do you think I'm cruel?" His smile was devoid of warmth.

The perfect demeanor from breakfast that morning was gone, replaced by what seemed like a suppressed part of his inner self.

He took another puff of the cigar, blew the smoke in my direction, and suddenly kissed my lips.

I tried to resist, but his hands held me firmly like iron clamps. The kiss was deep and rough, with the taste of blood gradually filling my mouth. By the time he finally released me, I was breathless.

Regret washed over me. I should have made him agree to my request first, instead of letting him take advantage of me for nothing.

"Wait," I said with difficulty as his hand moved to my bra clasp. "You haven't said how you'll help me. How do I know you won't go back on your word?"

His laughter was sharp. "You want assurance before making the deal?" His hand paused but didn't move away. "That's not how transactions work, little wildcat."

I struggled to keep my voice steady. "Just promise me now that you'll help me solve my father's problem. The debt..."

He suddenly pushed me off his lap, and I nearly fell.

Despite his leg impairment, he stood up steadily and picked up his silver cane. He looked at me coldly, his tall figure appearing somewhat merciless.

"Since you're about to become a member of the Grey family," his voice was ice-cold, "let me give you some advice: stay away from George Harper. Neither you nor he can afford the wrath of the Grey family."

These words hit my heart like a heavy punch. After what just happened, he confirmed my feelings for George!

Alexander fixed his piercing eyes on me: "If these matters were to come to my good uncle's knowledge, what do you think would happen to you?"

Tears filled my eyes, blurring his face: "What good does telling me this do? Do I have any other choice?"

"Of course, Scarlett. You can choose whether to stand with Richard or with me."

The soft jazz continued to play, in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere in the room.

At some point, I was left alone in the room. In my mind, images flashed alternately between the George-lookalike having sex with the woman, and Alexander holding my chin asking me which side I wanted to stand on.

"Wait." When I came to my senses, I hurriedly grabbed my bag and ran after him. Alexander still hadn't told me how he would help me.

But by the time I reached the door, I saw his Rolls-Royce speeding away.