Chapter 25: Where Are You Staying? I'll Drop You Off

He met her shimmering gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Are you here on a business trip?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Then, well..."

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if his aunt had sent her. Worse yet, she had witnessed the scene at the entrance just now.

He sat on the sofa and cleared his throat. "Be honest, did my aunt send you to inspect my behavior?"

She remained silent for a moment before saying, "No, she doesn't know I'm in Macau."

Just as she spoke, the deep voice of the man behind the scenes rang in her earpiece: "Natalie, I shouldn't have to remind you that you're no longer the young master's wife, right?"

Startled that he had seen through her, she unconsciously knit her brows.

The voice continued: "I told you to seduce him and become his woman. Do you understand?"

A bitter feeling surged in her heart, and she clenched her fingertips tightly.

The older brother studied her. "If it wasn't my aunt, then who sent you?"

She quickly recovered her composure. "I've divorced your cousin. We just got the certificate."

"Ha!" He looked shocked. "You divorced him? How come I didn't hear about something so big?"

"You've been in Macau lately; it’s normal that you haven't heard." She opened a bottle of wine, took a sip, and then smiled. "Let's not talk about those sad things. Cousin, why don't you keep me company for a while? Is that okay?"

He took the bottle from her, a cloud of confusion lingering in his gaze.

She felt that he was unexpectedly alert.

Just as she was about to say more, the voice in her ear spoke again: "Drinking is boring. Have him take you to the casino here."

Isn't this a nightclub? There's a casino here too?

There were no signs outside suggesting such a thing.

She snatched the bottle back from the older brother and said with feigned excitement, "Cousin, why don't you take me to the casino?"

He stood up. "No rush. Stay here for a bit; I need to use the restroom."

She knew he was going to make a phone call to verify her story.

A few minutes later, he returned, his narrow eyes squinting slightly. "You really did divorce my cousin. Impressive."

"What's so impressive about it? Did you go ask him?"

He patted her shoulder. "Not quite. I asked my mother. You want to go to the casino, right? Come on, I'll risk my life to accompany a lady."

She followed him out, but seeing that they were heading toward the exit, she grabbed his arm. "Isn't there one here?"

"The people here aren't very likeable."

She was still waiting for orders through her earpiece, but hearing nothing, she followed him out.

Taking the passenger seat of the supercar, she took a deep breath.

He gave a lazy smile. "Don't be afraid. I don't drive fast at all."

She didn't believe a word of it. The more he said that, the more tense she became.

"It's really not scary. Relax."

The car started, and just as he said, it moved at a leisurely pace.

While waiting at a red light, he glanced over. "I heard you were the one who initiated the divorce. My cousin is a decent guy; why couldn't you make it work?"

She didn't know how to respond.

The light turned green, and he floored the accelerator. A pleasant roar filled the air. "It's fine. If there's no love, then leave. So, tell me, how much of his fortune did you get in the settlement?"

She pursed her lips, remaining silent.

He continued to himself, "Is your next target me?"

As if realizing something, he slapped the steering wheel hard.

"Listen carefully. I'm not a good person. If I find out someone is playing with my feelings, I'll make sure they don't see tomorrow's sun."

To his surprise, she laughed.

He scoffed. "You're really not afraid of playing with fire, are you?"

She smiled and countered, "Sir, do you have any women around you who are sincere?"

"That's a boring question."

His interest was piqued, however. "They are different from you. You're the only one who dared to aim for the position of a young master's wife."

She said disdainfully, "Who said I wanted to be your wife? I'm not even interested in you."

He only smiled.

The car stopped at a luxury hotel.

She followed him into the casino.

The lights were bright here. He scanned her from head to toe and praised, "Truly beautiful."

She gave a sweet, practiced smile. "You're very handsome too."

He raised an eyebrow. "Just for that comment, I'm treating you tonight."

She played along perfectly. "Thank you, Sir."

He shook his head helplessly. "Calling me that... I'm afraid you're after my life."

"Not at all. Half your fortune is more likely."

He laughed in spite of himself. "You're the first person to be so honest with me. Is this how you seduced the other one?"

She didn't bother replying and started placing bets. Since entering, her mind wasn't on him anymore.

Her luck was incredible; in no time, her pockets were overflowing with winnings.

"Not bad." He gave her a thumbs-up. "A gambling goddess."

She negotiated with him, "The winnings are mine?"

He shrugged. "If you want to take the stake too, I don't mind. Whatever makes you happy."

"Forget the stake; I'm not greedy for your money." Her eyes darted around. "How about I treat you to some food?"

"Sure."

He took her to a traditional local eatery. The environment wasn't much, but the food was genuine.

"Good, right? Whenever I drink too much, I come here."

She praised the food but asked, "How many girls have you brought here before me?"

He laughed. "Who can count that high?"

She asked tentatively, "Does your fiancée know you're this wild in Macau?"

Unexpectedly, he replied, "Of course. Why? Do you want to go tattle on me?"

She was uncertain. "She knows? Or she doesn't?"

"She knows." He told her clearly, word for word. "She has always known exactly what kind of person I am."

She was stunned. Was he implying that his relationship with his fiancée was indestructible?

That they each played their own games.

After their late-night snack, they strolled along, eventually finding themselves in front of a luxury hotel.

She gripped her bag handle, feeling increasingly uneasy.

She wasn't entirely confident in her plan.

The man suddenly stopped and looked at her, blocking the streetlight that fell on her face.

She instinctively took a step back and blurted out, "Are we going to the hotel?"

His gaze was unreadable. After watching her for a while, he laughed. "I don't live here. But if you don't have a place to stay, I can open a room for you. You can stay as long as you like."

She turned away. "No need. I have a place."

"Where? I'll drop you off."

"No, if you have things to do, go ahead."

As she walked further away, he remained where he was.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." She hailed a taxi as if fleeing, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Back at her hotel, she found the man who sent her there sitting on the sofa, drinking.

Half a bottle of whiskey was gone.

She intended to ignore him, but he called out, "You're quite capable."

She didn't understand. "Your brother is clearly on guard against me."

She suspected he had already guessed her appearance was a setup. People in high positions from wealthy families were often more cunning than they seemed.

The man set down his glass. "How so?"

"First, he didn't take me to the casino inside the club. Second, he didn't take me to the hotel to... sleep."

She also suspected that the real target was the casino inside that club.

Perhaps there were some shady dealings going on there!

As she finished speaking, she opened a bottle of water. Looking up into the mirror, she met his gaze and quickly looked down.

Her reaction made him laugh. "How much confidence do you have now in becoming his woman?"

The question made her feel miserable. She squeezed the water bottle, wanting to take her anger out on it.

Just as she turned around, he was already in front of her. He leaned down, bracing his hands on the table behind her, trapping her. His tone was suggestive: "Is my girl angry with me? What should I do?"

As the words fell, he kissed her with a fervent intensity.

Chapter 26: You Can't Handle the Game?

"Mmph—no!"

Water sprayed from the bottle in her hand, soaking the area between them.

Unable to stomach the turmoil in her heart, she pushed him hard.

He barely budged.

The spilled water dampened his mood.

He stopped, his expression turning cold and impatient.

With the half-empty bottle in one hand, she grabbed his collar with the other, her face full of disgust. "Don't touch me!"

Her anger seemed to encourage him. He quickly spun her around, pinning her hands behind her back and gripping her chin firmly.

Through the mirror, she saw herself in a humiliated, helpless position.

The man controlling her from behind showed no tenderness.

She closed her eyes, unwilling to look.

A mocking laugh sounded in her ear. "You don't even dare to face yourself?"

Her legs trembled with rage, but she couldn't break free. "I don't know how I've offended you again. I'll apologize, okay? Please, don't... don't do this to me. At least not tonight."

"Not tonight?"

Her submission seemed to earn his pity, but a moment later, his laugh grew more cruel. "What, didn't you invite my brother at the hotel entrance? You don't want me, but you want him?"

Natalie: "..."

"...What do you mean 'invited him'? Didn't you tell me to seduce him? What, are you jealous?"

She snapped her eyes open, meeting his malicious gaze.

She steeled herself. "You can't handle the game?"

He pushed her against the wall with more force.

It seemed she had hit a nerve.

He used her to seduce his brother, yet he couldn't stand the thought of another man coveting her—especially that man.

He was this angry before anything had even happened?

Seeing his reaction, she actually felt a sliver of satisfaction, despite how he might punish her later.

...

She slumped against the edge of the bathtub, her eyes hollow as she stared at the man sitting in the tub, smoking.

She had already decided what to do tomorrow.

The man reached for a wine glass, took a sip, and said tonelessly, "Tomorrow, wait for him to call you."

She gave a faint smirk. "And if he doesn't?"

"Then it only proves your charm isn't enough."

She stared at him. "You won't go back on your promise, will you?"

A cold, mirthless smile played on his lips. "You still have the other one, don't you? If it doesn't work out with me, you can always ask him for help."

Natalie: "..."

He set down the empty glass, got out of the tub, and walked to the shower. The sound of water followed.

She leaned against the edge, her chest heaving, and soon silent tears began to fall.

For some reason, she just wanted to cry.

When he emerged from the shower, he saw this.

She bit her arm and turned her back to him.

He walked to the tub, lifted her out, and dried her with a towel.

She remained silent, head bowed.

His gaze remained devoid of warmth, and his words were even colder: "You're not a child. Crying won't get you candy."

Her lips trembled, but she couldn't speak. She lifted her reddened eyes and just stared at him.

He laughed again, dried her hair with a hairdryer, carried her to the bed, and placed a glass of warm water on the nightstand before leaving the room.

He had planned to sleep with her, but she clearly didn't want to.

The next day, she woke up early, but he had left even earlier.

She stayed in her room until dark before he returned.

When he pushed the door open, the room was pitch black.

He searched the suite and finally found her curled up in a corner.

He stood before her, looking down.

"He didn't call you?"

She blinked once in response.

She looked utterly defeated.

In truth, she hadn't been idle. She had been busy handling company affairs, trying to contact her former husband, and searching for news about the boy she cared for.

But she couldn't reach anyone, and the lawyer had made no progress.

By now, she was exhausted.

He knelt down, picked her up, and sat on the sofa. He turned on a small lamp, revealing her pale, almost translucent complexion.

"Stomach ache?"

His hand, filled with dry heat, pressed against her upper abdomen. She couldn't stop shivering.

"It hurts..."

"You're quite difficult to look after."

He called for medicine and dinner.

Soon, he was feeding her the stomach medicine.

She finally began to recover some strength.

When he reached for her phone, she snatched it away a second later.

He gave her a sharp look. "What is there that I, your boyfriend, can't see?"

"Then give me your phone to look at first?" She quickly stuffed her phone into her pocket, moved away from him, and sat at the table to eat.

His expression darkened. "Do you really think we're in an equal relationship?"

She sat up straight. "You haven't finished my task, and you haven't given me money. Where is the inequality?"

"Sharp-tongued. It seems I need to teach you my rules again."

"What rules?"

As the words left her mouth, he grabbed her collar like one would a stray animal and began dragging her toward the door.

"Where are you taking me? I'm not going!"

She desperately hugged the table leg. "Tell me where we're going first!"

Before she could react, she crashed onto the floor.

Her mind went blank, and blood rushed to her heart. Before she could process the pain, his pristine leather shoes appeared in her field of vision.

The tip of his shoe tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet those cold eyes.

The palms of her hands against the floor were ice cold. "What are you doing?"

His voice, low and laced with ice, fell slowly: "Teaching you my rules."

At that moment, he seemed like a different person.

Like a demon from hell!

She struggled with all her might, but she couldn't break the iron grip of his hand.

"Let me go!"

No matter how loud she screamed, he dragged her to the bathroom where they had been the night before.

The jealousy-laced words from last night vanished instantly.

He threw her into the tub and turned on the showerhead. Cold water poured down, filling her nose and drowning out her voice.

Like a dying fish, she instinctively reached for his trousers, but he flung her hand away before she could touch them.

She crashed into the side of the tub, the pain feeling like her bones would shatter.

In a fit of rage, she blurted out, "Did I dig up your mother's grave or something? Why are you treating me like this!"

His expression visibly stiffened.

She shrank into a corner of the tub and spat through gritted teeth, "Like mother, like son. You and your mother are both bastards! Rats that should be killed!"

Exasperation had driven her to say such things.

But it felt good!

If she couldn't win a fight, she could at least have the last word.

However, as she finished speaking, something caught the corner of her eye, and in her panic, she slammed into the wall.