Chapter 5

Howard Lowell shot to his feet.

Anna Ross threw herself over her mother, shielding her.

Her voice trembled. "Mom, give him the money back. Let's just go."

She didn't want to stay here.

She wanted nothing more to do with Adrian Sinclair.

But Vivian Lowell clamped a hand over her daughter's mouth.

Her mother scrambled on her knees to Howard's feet. "Howard, I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied. Please, don't throw us out!"

"You bitch! You dare beg for mercy?"

Howard's chest heaved. He raised his foot to kick her.

Anna's knuckles turned white.

She tried to pull her mother up, but Vivian shoved her away.

"Howard, a divorce right after our marriage will hurt the company. How will you explain it to the old man?"

Vivian wiped the blood from her face, clutching his pant leg. "I had no other choice. I got sick three years ago, the debt was crushing. They were going to sell Anna if I didn't pay!"

"Think of how long she's called you Dad. Please, forgive us this once? I'll give you a son, I promise!"

Anna's arms shook.

So that was why her mother had married Howard.

Three years ago, her mother needed a kidney transplant.

The cost was astronomical.

She had scrambled for money, but it wasn't enough.

In desperation, she'd taken a loan from a loan shark.

For three years, Anna worked herself ragged to pay it back.

Then her mother suddenly met Howard and married into the Lowell family.

Anna had been happy for her, never intending to rely on the Lowells.

She never knew her mother married to settle the debt.

Howard stared at Anna, weighing his options.

After a long silence, his voice was cold. "You can stay. But I don't keep idle people around."

He kicked Vivian aside and walked over to Anna. "You and Adrian Sinclair get along well?"

At the mention of Adrian, Anna's heart clenched. She looked down. "No."

Howard rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "That boy never has women around. He invited you to the company himself. Even went shopping with you. That's rare for him."

"He has a blind date tonight at The Royal Lounge with the Valentine heiress. Hmph... The Sinclair old man wants him to establish himself in San Francisco and swallow up the Lowell family. I won't let him succeed."

"You will ruin that date. Do something. Make him do something to you, get evidence. I'll clear your mother's debt."

Anna's fingers twitched. She looked up, disbelief written on her face.

。。。。。。

Late at night, The Royal Lounge was unusually quiet.

Anna was led in through the staff entrance by the butler, her palms slick with cold sweat.

Beneath her black coat, she wore only a thong and a bra that left little to the imagination.

The butler took her to a private room, shoved a packet of powder into her hand, and left.

Anna sat on the sofa, her mind in turmoil.

She didn't want to be here, but her mother had begged her through tears.

Was she really going to drug him...?

As she wrestled with the decision, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Anna's heart seized. Instinctively, she hid in the attached restroom.

In her panic, the packet of powder fell onto the sofa.

Adrian Sinclair pushed the door open. The clean scent of orchids followed him in.

He paused, his eyes scanning the room and landing on the paper packet on the sofa. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He picked it up, his voice icy as he summoned a waiter. "Bring me your strongest whiskey."

Anna bit her lip, hidden in the wardrobe, praying he would leave quickly.

Instead, she heard the door click shut.

Footsteps drew nearer.

The wardrobe door was yanked open, revealing Adrian's cold, handsome face.

A chill ran down her spine.

"Here to join my blind date?"

A smile played on his lips, but his eyes were frozen. He gripped her neck and dragged her out. "You came all this way. Why hide? What were you planning?"

Adrian held up the powder. "This looks interesting. Tell me, what's it for?"

Anna trembled, speechless.

Adrian gave a silent, cold laugh. He poured the powder into a glass of whiskey, pinched her jaw, and forced it into her mouth.

"Not talking? Then I'll see for myself what it does."

Anna's pupils contracted. "No! I didn't want this! It was How—"

He gave her no chance to explain. He tightened his grip on her jaw and forced the liquor down her throat.

The strong alcohol burned. She choked and coughed, her head instantly growing foggy.

The drug, mixed with the whiskey, took effect fast. She stumbled against the wardrobe, fighting to stay conscious, desperate to escape.

Adrian threw her onto the bed and slowly removed his jacket.

"I don't know what this does yet. Why are you running?"

He leaned over her, then suddenly stopped.

Noticing what she wore underneath, his eyes turned to ice. "Not a fan of home, but you dress like this for a bar? Anna Ross, you're as self-destructive and shameless as you were three years ago!"

He tugged at the thin strings, a storm of brutality raging in his gaze.

Three years ago... What happened then?

Anna's consciousness blurred. She instinctively curled her legs, trying to struggle.

Her ankle was caught in a firm, long-fingered grip. Adrian bit down hard on her lip.

"Since you're offering, I'll oblige."

The drug spread. Pain and pleasure twisted together. Anna couldn't suppress a soft, shameful moan.

Adrian's hand moved up from her ankle, gripping her thigh tightly. He savaged her lips with his teeth.

The taste of blood filled her mouth. She whimpered, pleading. "Please... stop... let me go..."

"You delivered yourself to me. How can I let you go?"

Adrian's lips curled in a sneer. "Knew I had a date with Miss Valentine today? Came specifically to seduce me? Think it's more exciting in front of my fiancée?"

He increased his force, his mouth moving down from her jaw to her neck, leaving a trail of red marks.

Anna wanted to resist, but her body was betraying her, yielding to instinct.

Then, a knock came at the door.

A sweet, coquettish voice called out. "Adrian? Are you in there?"