Mary was abruptly shoved into the vehicle, the door slamming shut behind her with such force that it sent waves of fear coursing through her. Curling into herself on the car seat, she dared not utter a word, occasionally stealing glances at the man firmly gripping the steering wheel, trying to gauge his disposition.
The car wheeled around, speeding off like a hawk, taking flight towards the bustling city streets, slipping through intersections, and then vanishing into the night. When Andrew rushed to the parking spot, nothing was left in sight, leaving him stomping in frustration and ordering his henchmen to pursue him.
Upon returning home, Bryan escorted her to her room. He uttered no word, merely advising her to be wary, for ill-intentioned individuals lurked at every corner, ready to exploit any lack of caution. Mary was deeply perplexed, unable to fathom why he would utter such words. Wasn’t he of the same ilk as Andrew? Why, then, would he concern himself with her welfare?
No sooner had he left the room than Mary heard a heated exchange outside. Curious, she crept closer, peering through the slightly ajar door. Andrew had returned and was seething with fury with Bryan. His words echoed thunderously.
“What the hell are you doing? Do you realize you’ve botched our big plan?”
Bryan, not one to back down, retaliated with equal volume,
“That’s your grand scheme, not mine. This business is solely yours.”
Taken aback by Bryan’s defiant stance, Andrew couldn’t help but throw a punch square in his face.
Unable to dodge in time, Bryan staggered, nearly toppling over. Yet, he was no easy adversary; after a few moments of disorientation, he regained composure. Seizing the moment of Andrew’s distraction, he retaliated, roaring as he threw his punch, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Fueled by rage, Andrew lunged forward, grabbing Bryan by his collar, fist poised to strike again. But he managed to hold back Bryan’s reproachful gaze. He paused, ice in his voice, asking, “Why are you helping her?”
Bryan met Andrew’s wrathful eyes and clear reply, “Because you said she’s mine.”
These words from Bryan made it all too clear for Andrew. He realized he had underestimated this so-called younger brother. Slowly, he released his grip on the shirt’s collar, yet his fist remained clenched, the fury within him obliterating all reason. Andrew cast a burning gaze toward Bryan. He never imagined a day when they would turn against each other, let alone over a woman.
Bryan exhaled softly, a heavy look in his eyes, aware that their bond would never be the same.
Mary covered her mouth to stifle any noise, reeling from the revelation. Who would have thought the icy man could betray his long-standing friendship for her?
Why did he do it? Was everything she had just witnessed sincere or part of a deliberate scheme?
Mary spent the entire night wide awake, anxious, and fearful. She had no clue what those two men might do to her or how she could escape this nightmare.
…
Today marked the day Andrew officially took over the reins of the Young World Publishing House, thus transforming his long-standing dream into a palpable reality. Dressed in dazzling attire, Agnes kept her radiant smile unwavering, constantly acknowledging the press with courteous nods. Yet, the most curious absence was that of Bryan, Andrew’s faithful companion in shared hardships. The previous night’s events left a hairline fracture in their relationship.
Donned in a luxurious, sleek green suit, Andrew radiated an aura of sophistication. Whether he took on the role of a boss, an artist, or an influential figure, this man never failed to draw attention from all. He sat in the central position, absorbing all queries from the press. A female journalist questioned.
“As far as I am aware, you were previously involved in a project of the Young World Publishing House and were close to becoming a son-in-law there. Are these details true?”
Upon hearing this, Agnes, seated beside him, visibly paled. She was taken aback, unsure of how to react. Conversely, Andrew seemed unbothered. He flashed a charming smile, cleverly misleading the public.
“All of those are fabricated stories. I, Andrew, have never harbored feelings for anyone, so the opportunity to become my other half is evenly distributed to all.”
The crowd burst into applause, the room echoing with laughter and cheering. With his outward appearance as a handsome, talented book cover artist, he was the perfect embodiment of an ideal figure in the hearts of many female fans. Every word he spoke further enchanted his audience.
As for Agnes, she could never have anticipated such words from the man who once pledged a lifetime commitment to her. The advice Mary once imparted to her flashed vividly in her mind. Agnes managed a forced smile, but her heart was brimming with bitter sorrow.
Andrew didn’t glance at Agnes throughout the meeting even once, yet she remained acutely aware of his every gesture and action. Although he had assigned her the position of Editor-in-chief, in truth, it was but an empty title. In his heart, there had long been no place for her.
Andrew’s acquisition of the publishing house was partly thanks to Agnes’s efforts, yet he coldly pushed her aside when he achieved his goal. Agnes harbored more resentment than love for him, but for now, she could do nothing against him.
Tormented by fear, Mary lingered in wakefulness until the witching hours before she succumbed to the luring embrace of sleep. Through her half-conscious mind, a hunch tells her of an unseen presence inching closer.
Her eyelids were leaden with exhaustion, making it impossible for her to pry them open; these past few nights, she hadn’t experienced peace in her slumber. She hoped to escape this confounding place, yet her plans were consistently thwarted no matter the stratagem. Never had Mary envisioned that one day she would be trapped in such a tragic plight as today.
The rattling doorknob, followed by an apparent “snap,” broke her slumber, causing her to jerk awake. Mary felt dread and confusion, uncertain if the dream was merging with reality. She clung to her blanket, sitting up and shrinking into a corner to observe her surroundings.
The room was bathed in darkness, a profound silence that was unnerving.
“Ah!!!”
A gasp of fear escaped Mary’s lips as a towering male figure pinned her down. His strong hands held hers firmly above her head. In her panic, she struggled fiercely, her resistance only fueling his excitement and strengthening his grip. Out of the darkness, a man’s cold, sharp voice echoed.
“Do you think I would leave you be? No matter how much you labor in this life, you can never repay the debt you owe me.”
He bent his head down, claiming her lips forcefully. She turned her face away, and his anger answered with a harsh bite on her ear, causing her to scream in pain.
“Ah!!! Are you insane?”
He lifted his head, panting heavily, his gaze locked on her.
“That’s right! I must have gone mad to get entangled with a sordid woman like you.”
Insulted to the core, Mary retorted using her last bit of strength.
“You’re just realizing that now? And here I thought you knew it from the very beginning. But I still wonder why a supposed gentleman would creep in the middle of the night to see a sordid woman. Are you perhaps starved for something?”
His anger intensified at her words. His arm swung wide, delivering a harsh slap to her face, his features twisted in rage.
Mary’s voice rose to a piercing scream.
“Let me go! Let me go!”
He paid no heed, savagely bending down to plant a forceful kiss on her neck before descending to her chest. His hands were rigidly clenched around her figure, preventing any struggle. His hot breath brushed against her face in a dizzying, lingering manner. His arm loosened a tad, sliding down to her slender waist. All at once, Mary was bewitched by his masculine scent, her resistance wilting. Images of their first intimate love flashed intermittently in her mind.
Lost in lustful ecstasy, he reveled in the woman’s body enfolded in his arms, oblivious that she was the daughter of his enemy. His body was ablaze, and discomfort stirred beneath his clothing, finding them obstructive.
His naughty hand snaked past her garments, venturing into her private area. Lily’s body began to react more intensely. Mary’s body began to respond more vehemently. She trembled in waves, moving in rhythm with his every touch. Her sanctuary started to grow moist and restless. Mary’s body refused to lie still; her arms tightened around his broad shoulders as every shred of reason had to make way for emotion.
The moment his fingers touched her wetness, tasting a hint of womanhood, he abruptly halted and surprisingly pushed her away. He sat up suddenly, looking at Mary with eyes full of contempt as if the recent event was a shameful occurrence.
Silently, he buttoned up his shirt and exited with icy indifference as if nothing had happened. His face was scrunched in discomfort, resembling a man who had committed a grave mistake. He deliberately quickened his pace so as not to betray the tangled, tearing emotions within.
Tears flowed freely from Mary as she realized that it was all a trap. Why would the despicable man, who hated her to the core, harbor feelings for her? Yet, in a moment of weakness, she again trusted him. She truly felt foolish. She still remembered his words from earlier, but how had his single loving gesture made her forget everything? As an old saying goes, the weak are always destined to fail.