Sebastian finally relented. He turned to Natalia. "Nat, I’m taking her to the hospital. Stay here and have some fun for a while. If you get bored, just head home. The driver is waiting outside."

Natalia nodded, but her unease only deepened.

After Sebastian left, she made a move to leave as well, but the group of friends blocked her path, insisting she shouldn't be a spoilsport on a rare night out. She was effectively trapped in the center of the group, unable to leave, forced to sit and listen to the thumping music of the empty dance floor.

The men sat with her for a while before one suddenly said, "Sister, we need to step out and make a few calls. We’ll be right back."

Natalia’s heart tightened. Something was very wrong.

The moment the men disappeared and the lounge was completely empty, she grabbed her bag and bolted for the door.

But at that exact moment, the heavy doors were shoved open.

It wasn't Sebastian’s friends who entered. Instead, a group of ragged, unkempt men—vagrants—pushed their way in.

The moment they saw Natalia, their eyes locked onto her, and they let out lecherous, guttural laughs.

"Hahaha! This one is so tender. The boys are in for a treat today!"

Horror washed over Natalia. She scrambled back several steps, but the men lunged at her like a pack of starved wolves.

She struggled desperately, but how could her strength compare to that of several grown men? Her clothes were torn, and her screams were swallowed by the booming music.

"Get away! Don't touch me!" Natalia’s voice shook, tears erupting from her eyes.

She kicked and fought with everything she had, but the men were like animals, pinning her wrists and forcing her to the floor. Her dress was ripped open, her skin exposed to the freezing air. A wave of nausea hit her so hard she nearly gagged.

"Help! Is anyone there? Help me!"

"Help!"

She screamed in total despair, but there was no answer. Her vision blurred, leaving her with nothing but the sound of their sneering laughter and heavy, disgusting breath.

Just as she reached the precipice of total collapse, the door was kicked open with a violent bang.

Sebastian charged in like a demon from hell, his eyes burning with pure, unadulterated violence. He grabbed one of the men by the collar and slammed a fist into his face.

The man let out a pathetic cry and slumped to the ground.

Sebastian didn't stop. His fists fell like a hailstorm upon the men until every single one of them was crawling on the floor, howling in pain.

Natalia’s body wouldn't stop shaking. Her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.

Chapter Seven

When she woke up again, she found herself in the bed at the villa.

A series of piercing, agonized wails drifted in from the living room. She forced herself out of bed and cracked the door open just enough to see. Sebastian was standing in the center of the room, the vagrants huddled at his feet.

Sebastian held a knife in his hand, his voice as cold as ice. "Which hand did you use to touch her?"

The man shook so hard he couldn't speak.

Sebastian let out a cold laugh. "Both hands, then."

Without another word, he drove the blade down, pinning the man’s palm to the floor. A blood-curdling scream filled the room as blood instantly stained the hardwood.

The others, terrified out of their minds, began to shriek, "It was my left! It was my right!"

Sebastian showed no mercy. One by one, he systematically destroyed their hands.

His friends stood to the side, watching with complicated expressions. "Seb, is this really necessary? You were the one who agreed to Chloe’s plan in the first place."

"Yeah, Chloe faked the injury so you’d have a reason to leave, and then we found an excuse to clear out. We brought in those guys to assault Natalia while she was alone in the club—she would have had no one to call for help. Weston would have been destroyed knowing his precious sister was ruined by a bunch of bums. Why did you suddenly change your mind and race back here like a madman? You nearly killed those guys. We haven't seen you this bloodthirsty in years. You’ve gone insane."

Hearing this, Natalia felt her legs give out. She leaned against the wall to keep from falling.

She never imagined that the vagrants were also part of their design. No wonder Chloe had whispered to the friend, and the friend had whispered to Sebastian...

Sebastian didn't say anything. He just watched coldly as the men were dragged away.

The group of friends exchanged looks, their expressions turning even more sour.

Finally, one couldn't help but ask, "Seb, you haven't actually fallen for Natalia, have you? In case you forgot, let me remind you—she’s your enemy's sister! You and Weston have been trying to kill each other for years. If you actually love her, then..."

Sebastian’s face twisted. He violently kicked over the coffee table, his voice vibrating with suppressed fury.

"I don't love her! If I ever fall for Weston’s sister, I’ll cut off my own head and give it to him to use as a soccer ball! Is that enough for you? Now get out! All of you, get the hell out! Don't bother me for the next few days!"

After driving everyone away, Sebastian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and lit a cigarette.

In the swirling haze of smoke, his expression looked exceptionally grim. He took a long drag, letting the smoke burn in his lungs before slowly exhaling. His mind was a mess. The image of those men pinning Natalia down kept flashing before his eyes. Her despair and her pain were like a knife twisting in his own heart.

He didn't understand his own feelings for her. He had approached her solely to ruin Weston.

So why, when he saw her treated that way, did he feel a murderous rage?

She wasn't supposed to look like that. Every time she lay beneath him, she was so sweet, so soft, her eyes overflowing with love like a gentle kitten. But that night, there was only terror and hopelessness in her eyes.

He didn't dare think deeper; he only knew his chest felt suffocatingly tight.

Halfway through the cigarette, he remembered Natalia hated the smell of smoke. He frowned and crushed the ember out in the ashtray. He turned and walked toward the bedroom, his footsteps light so as not to wake her.

Hearing him approach, Natalia squeezed her eyes shut, holding back her tears and feigning sleep. Her heart hammered against her ribs, her fingers clutching the duvet, terrified he would realize she was awake.

Sebastian stood by the bed, looking down at her for a long time. He gently stroked her hair once before turning and leaving the room.

For the next few days, Sebastian didn't go to the office once. He spent every moment revolving around Natalia. He spent a fortune on jewelry for her, sent her a fresh bouquet every morning, and even personally cooked her meals.

Natalia looked at the piles of gifts on the table, but felt no spark of joy. She knew he was trying to appease her, but her heart was already as cold as a block of ice.

Neither of them mentioned what happened that night, but everyone knew Natalia wasn't happy. Her smiles became rare, and her eyes grew increasingly hollow.

Finally, after dinner one evening, Sebastian couldn't take it anymore. He pulled her into his arms, his voice thick and low. "Baby, I’m sorry. I didn't protect you well enough. Forget that day, okay? I’ll do anything you want."

Natalia looked up into his deep eyes and whispered, "Anything?"

Sebastian nodded. "Anything."

Natalia was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "I want to know your phone passcode."

Chapter Eight

Sebastian blinked, then laughed. "That’s it?"

He recited a string of numbers. Natalia froze.

It was her birthday.

"Why did you set my birthday as your code?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Sebastian leaned down and kissed her forehead, his tone tender. "Because I love you."

Natalia stood paralyzed. She didn't know if he was telling the truth or lying, but regardless, she would never believe him again.

Sebastian handed her the phone, smiling. "Did you ask for the code because you wanted to check up on me? I’m perfectly clean, baby. You can check it whenever you want."

Natalia took the phone, a small smile finally touching her lips.

Sebastian let out a breath of relief and pulled her into a tight embrace. "You finally smiled." His voice was full of doting affection. "Your birthday is in a couple of days. I’m preparing a massive gala. I won't be able to stay by your side every second for the next few days, will you be okay at home by yourself?"