Chapter 16 - The Consequences of Defiance

She might not be able to fight him, but at least she could avoid being bullied by him. An inexplicable pain tugged at her heart, and she felt the change in someone she once loved. He had become someone she no longer recognized.

He wasn't considerate of her hurt, even thinking she was playing hard to get. Unfortunately, he had already seen through who she was, but he did admire her sharp tongue.

"Why are you upset? Did I say something wrong?" he feigned innocence, gently lifting her chin, his voice soft and soothing.

She coldly shook off his hand, looking at him with no emotion. "What exactly do I have to do to see my brother?"

He scrutinized her expressionless face and spoke softly. "Seems you're outraged."

She didn't respond.

He chuckled lightly, releasing his grip on her waist. "If nothing goes wrong, the press conference should start soon. If you help me with the tie, I'll give you ten minutes alone with your brother before it begins."

Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

He smiled warmly, nodding slightly.

After a few moments of internal struggle, she finally raised her slightly trembling hands and tied his tie.

The silence around them was almost surreal, as if the entire world had shrunk to just the two.

He watched her tie his tie, his face devoid of any expression. For some reason, how she helped him seemed so serene, reminiscent of when he taught her to play the piano, and she was just as pure and calm.

This feeling brought him a sense of peace.

"It's done."

At some point, she had finished her task.

Snapping out of his daze, he noticed the perfectly tied knot around his neck and asked blandly, "Is this how you usually tie your fiancé's tie?"

"This is my private matter; Mr. Scott doesn't need to know."

Kingsly looked at her proud face for a long moment and suddenly laughed.

His laughter unsettled her because, despite his smile, a trace of anger was hidden beneath it. She could only try to maintain her composure to conceal her anxiety.

Silence enveloped them once more, his smile contrasting with the sharpness in his eyes as they locked onto hers. She felt increasingly frightened, sensing the danger looming, and then he spoke. "What about what we discussed? Can you give me an answer now? Your time is running out."

Her heart nearly stopped from fear until she heard his question, which allowed her a moment of relief. She gathered her courage and answered, "I already told you it's impossible."

His smile vanished, replaced by a piercing gaze. He watched her coldly, his voice turning icy. "What if I say your time is up?"

His voice, like a whisper from hell, surrounded her. She looked at him in fear and confusion. The next moment, his long arm pulled her into his embrace, his voice dangerously low in her ear. "Just now, I lost the last bit of my patience. Now, I'll show you the consequences of that."

Before she could understand his sudden change in demeanor, they were already falling onto the large bed behind them.

He trapped her beneath him, his eyes especially deep in the dim light, staring intently at her panicked face, a hint of anger lurking within them, though controlled.

"What are you going to do..." She was already afraid of him, and now, being restrained in this manner, her fear intensified. Her hands flailed against his body, nervous and helpless.

He seemed unfazed by her hits, his dark eyes growing increasingly shadowed, becoming mysterious and dangerous. Suddenly, his voice came, cold as if from an icy cavern. "No woman has ever dared to refuse me like this; you're the first."

Seeing his terrifyingly cold gaze, her resisting hands trembled and slowly stilled. She was terrified now, unable to muster a single word in response.

He half-closed his eyes, looking at her askance, his voice devoid of warmth. "What, cat got your tongue?"

Her wide eyes stared at him in terror, holding her breath.

"Aren't you always sharp-tongued? Why so silent now?" His hand gently caressed her delicate face, from her eyes to her nose and then down to her pale lips, scrutinizing her features closely.

She feared his wicked gaze and wanted to avoid his touch, but his dominant hands held her face firmly.

His hawk-like gaze locked onto her frightened face, forcing her eyes to meet his. "Are you that afraid of me?"

She bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to respond.

He observed her defiant lip-biting and gave a cold laugh. "Are you so noble, or are you cunning enough to know that a man's greatest thrill is taming a woman who won't submit, thus sparking my immense interest?"

She never imagined he would interpret her constant refusals as playing hard to get. His low opinion of her was unbearable. "I don't know what makes you think I want to attract you."

He chuckled. "I'm wealthy, aren't I?"

She laughed in return. "Not every woman in this world is willing to give up everything for money."

No sooner had she spoken than he burst into laughter.

His laughter echoed throughout the room, seemingly mocking. Then he looked at her with interest, gently lifting her chin. "Woman, are you truly so noble?"

Why did he hold her in such contempt?

Seeing the defiance in her eyes, he smirked disdainfully, lowering his gaze to the expanse of her chest, where a button had popped off during her earlier struggle.

Her chest was naturally full, making her shirt appear even more fitted. She usually checked her buttons carefully to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions. Still, today, her shirt had failed her, exposing her white undergarment. It wasn't until she noticed his gaze fixed on her chest that she realized what had happened.

He gazed intensely at her flushed face, using his large hand to remove hers. Naturally, she resisted fiercely, but her strength did not match his.

With her hands pinned to the bed, she was immobilized, watching helplessly as his unscrupulous gaze lingered over her heaving chest.

Her white bra had shifted, and the exposure was imminent.

She stammered in embarrassment, "Kingsly Scott, you... don't... don't go too far..."

He seemed not to hear her, enthralled by the sight before him. "So beautiful," he murmured.

She could feel his body heat rising, his gaze filled with desire, and his breathing had become heavy and ragged.

This time, she truly sensed danger, but her body was pinned, unable to move. Frustrated and embarrassed, she shouted, "Stop looking..."

Her constant struggling and twisting only served to unintentionally rub against his sensitive body, making him smirk wickedly. "Aren't you squirming just to encourage me to continue?"

"You..."

At that moment, he lowered his head and captured her lips, successfully silencing her.

Her eyes widened, unable to move or reject him.

Thankfully, he only kissed her lightly, almost tenderly, without deepening it.

Her body tensed with anxiety as his warm lips brushed over her trembling ones.

Raising his head slowly, he looked at her, stiff beneath him, and chuckled. "If I had more time today, I'd take you. Unfortunately, Helen will be knocking any minute... and I don't like being interrupted."

She was so frightened that her face turned pale, like a startled rabbit frozen in place.

He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead before finally releasing her hands and standing up.

Terrified, she scrambled to the farthest corner of the bed, wrapping herself tightly in the blanket.

Adjusting his attire, he spoke calmly and emotionlessly: "You've insisted time and again that you won't sell yourself for money, so I'm giving you a chance to prove it."

She watched him warily, afraid he might come over again, not entirely processing his words.

"From now on, as long as you can stay out of my sight, I'll let you go."

She clutched the blanket tightly, incredulous. "Are you serious?"

A knock on the door sounded; it was Helen's voice. "Mr. Scott, it's time for the press conference."

Kingsly turned, leaving her with, "I never go back on my word."

She quickly jumped off the bed and rushed to catch up with him. "Then I'll make sure Noah and I disappear from your life right now!"