Chapter 6
Anna Ross trembled.
Fear drenched her like ice water.
If anyone saw this sceneโฆ
She couldn't bear to think further.
Her panicked eyes locked onto the cold face above her.
She prayed desperately for him to stop.
Adrian Sinclair frowned, annoyed by the interruption.
He suddenly gripped Anna's chin.
His fingers pressed with painful force.
"You sayโฆ" His voice was low and amused. "If she pushes the door open and sees us like thisโฆ"
Anna's vision darkened.
She pushed against him, legs kicking wildly.
The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became.
His long fingers clamped around her wrists like iron.
"Having an affair right in front of my fiancรฉeโฆ" He let out a cold laugh. "So this is what you're into."
The pain in her chest cut deeper than any physical torment.
Tears slid silently down her cheeks.
She fought with all her strength.
But the alcohol had weakened her.
Her fingers could only scratch weakly down his back.
The knocking at the door sounded again.
A sweet female voice pierced through the wood. "Adrian? Open up! It's me!"
Anna stared at the door in terror.
Her body shook uncontrollably.
Adrian was about to continue.
The persistent knocking finally irritated him.
He paused, studying the woman beneath him.
"Wait." He threw out the two words.
He jumped off the bed, wearing only a towel.
He opened the door just enough, blocking the gap with his body.
Chloe Valentine saw Adrian clad only in a towel.
Her heart leaped with joy, though she feigned shyness.
She looked down, speaking softly. "Adrianโฆ so eager?" "Let's go inside and talk."
She thought this was a surprise he had prepared.
She resolved to secure this man.
She tried to push past him to enter.
Anna grabbed the sheets, wrapping them tightly around herself.
Adrian glanced back at the trembling figure on the bed.
A wicked smile touched his lips.
Anna was on the verge of tears.
He suddenly took Chloe's hand.
He paused, then issued a roguish command. "Chloe, go buy some more drinks for me."
Chloe had been puzzled by his blocking.
Hearing his request, she immediately understood.
A blush spread across her pretty face.
"Of course! I'll go right now!" She replied sweetly. "Wait for me~"
Adrian nodded.
Chloe left satisfied, her high heels clicking away.
Anna let out a long breath.
Ignoring her pounding headache, she grabbed her clothes and dressed hurriedly.
She had to leave immediately.
Her phone vibrated.
A message notification from her mother flashed.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
The contents plunged her into an ice-cold abyss.
[Mom: Anna, our lives are in your hands. Your stepfather says if you can't ruin Adrian's meeting with Miss Valentine, we'll be handed over to the loan sharks.]
Anna turned ice-cold.
Her fingertips pressed white.
Was there truly no escape?
Her phone vibrated again.
[Mom: Anna, I'm begging you. You must succeed. I'm so sorry!]
Tears blurred her vision.
The warm yellow light fell on her pale face.
Anna finally sighed.
Trading herself for her mother's life.
It was worth it.
Adrian walked closer.
His gaze remained fixed on her.
The bed dipped slightly as he sat on the edge.
He crossed his long legs.
Anna thought he would continue and instinctively shrank back.
But the man made no move.
He simply toyed with his platinum signet ring.
His deep eyes swept over her tear-stained cheeks.
"Stop pretending to be the victim." He sneered. "Dressing like this and drugging yourselfโฆ wasn't it all to please me?"
Each word pierced her heart.
Her่ชๅฐ was crushed to dust.
Thinking of her mother, Anna bit her lower lip.
She spoke with difficulty. "What are you planningโฆ with Miss Valentine later?"
Her small hands clenched, knuckles white.
She wished she could disappear into the ground.
Adrian's eyebrow lifted slightly.
He gave her a scornful look. "Isn't it a bit late to care about that now?"
Her motives were disgustingly obvious.
Anna's heart tightened.
Meeting his disgusted gaze, she quickly looked down. "I justโฆ"
"Enough!" He cut her off sharply.
He turned away, heading straight for the walk-in closet.
Anna sat frozen on the bed.
His sudden anger frightened her.
After a moment, she remembered her mission todayโto stop him from meeting Chloe Valentine!
Adrian emerged dressed in a suit.
The black suit accentuated his handsome, noble features.
He looked like an untouchable deity.
He ignored the woman on the bed and left through the door.
Anna's heart sank.
He was going to find Chloe!
She hurriedly put on her shoes and followed.
She trailed him quietly.
She saw a pair of slender hands link through his arm.
He leaned down to whisper, and the woman laughed joyfully.
Chloe stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Adrian did not refuse.
Anna turned her face away.
She couldn't bear to watch the painful scene.
Her fingers twisted tightly in her clothes.
She turned to flee.
Her phone vibrated again.
Reality forced her to look.
[Mom: Anna, you must succeed tonight. I'm counting on you. Your stepfather threatened that if you fail, not only will we be handed to the loan sharks, but our reputations will be ruined. We won't be able to stay in New York!]
Each word cut like a knife.
Anna leaned weakly against the cold wall.