Lance was strong and easily restrained her, taking advantage of the situation by groping her. His gaze shamelessly fell on her ample chest, and he laughed lewdly, lifting her work badge. “Still working at Oconnor Group, huh? Must have slept your way in, you shrew.”
Callie breathed heavily, finally managing to free herself from his grip. She slapped him hard, making Lance’s head tilt to the side. Before Callie could cry out, he swiftly covered her mouth and slapped her in return.
“Dare to hit me? You want to die?”
The last time Callie had been humiliated and beaten like this was when she had rescued Joaquin at Club Paradise. Her survival instincts kicked in, and she instinctively reached for the phone in her pocket. However, Lance noticed and violently snatched it from her, tossing it into the nearby swimming pool without hesitation.
It was cold outside, and no one would come here. The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed people outside to see in, but those inside couldn’t see out.
So while Callie could see the lively conversations inside, no one would ever notice her.
So close…
Utter despair.
Lance also seemed to realize this, pulling off his jacket with a sneaky grin, letting Callie’s tears fall into his palm as he kept her mouth covered.
“Think you’re some pure and virtuous girl? I’ve seen plenty like you-acting all innocent on the surface, but in bed, who knows how slutty you get.”
Lance had figured it out; this woman was quite good-looking. He started to get handsy. “If we don’t hit the bed today, I’ll do you right here. Isn’t that exciting?”
Callie’s eyes brimmed with intense hatred as she kicked her legs wildly, struggling desperately. But Lance pressed her down with his knee. A deeper sense of despair began to spread inside her, and she let out muffled cries, longing for Nelson to show up more than ever before.
Lance, at this point, was a man with nothing left to lose-capable of anything.
So where was Nelson now?
The first person to notice something was wrong was Regan. She had been looking for Callie but couldn’t find her anywhere. Finally, she grabbed someone randomly, “Where’s Miss Marsh from your design department?”
Litzy, enjoying herself, glanced outside. It was pitch dark. “She’s probably outside. She doesn’t like crowds.”
Suspicious, Regan furrowed her brow and walked in that direction. “I’ll go check.”
When Regan arrived, she saw Callie being pinned against a wall by a strange man. Her evening gown had already been pulled down to her shoulders, exposing large patches of pale skin.
Callie’s eyes were full of despair.
Regan couldn’t think, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief as she let out an instinctive scream, “Rape!”
Her cry immediately drew the attention of countless people, and the classical music inside came to an abrupt halt.
Lance, realizing he’d been caught, glared at Callie and spat a curse. His mind went blank as he grabbed Callie and started toward Regan. In self-defense, Regan grabbed a nearby bottle and smashed it over his shoulder.
The blow caused Lance to release Callie.
As the suffocating pressure vanished, Callie slid to the ground, gasping for air like a fish out of water, her body shaking as she dry-heaved.
“Dare hit me?” Lance touched the blood on his shoulder, his eyes flashing with rage. He snatched the bottle from Regan’s hand. After all, she was just a woman and couldn’t match his strength. She was pushed back several steps.
By now, people inside had started rushing out. Nelson, just emerging from a private room, heard Regan’s scream and frowned deeply. Unease brewed in his chest as he grabbed his coat from the side and rushed over, giving orders to Cora, “Find Callie for me, and fast.”