Chapter 3
Atlas ushered the mysterious woman into his private room, uncertainty etched on his face. He tossed her onto the bed, intending to shower and clear his head. But as he turned to leave, the woman grasped his waist from behind, her hands sending shivers down his spine.
"I feel so hot," she whispered, her breath tickling his ear. "Mmm... You're cool. I need cool."
Atlas spun around, confusion written across his face. The woman's flushed cheeks and lust-filled eyes told him she was under the influence of something. He realized he was too – the room spun, and his senses blurred.
Despite his haze, Atlas retained a shred of sanity. He spoke softly, trying to calm her down. "Don't worry, I'll let you take a shower."
Riley's skin burned hotter at the sound of his deep, soothing voice. She lost all control, her body responding to his presence. As Atlas turned to leave again, Riley wrapped her leg around his waist, pressing her soft bosom against his bare back.
This time, Atlas's restraint snapped. He spun around, ripped her shirt apart, and slammed his lips against hers. The room dissolved into chaos as they succumbed to a night of senseless passion. Her Moans filled the air, fueling Atlas's desire.
In the heat of the moment, neither Atlas nor Riley recognized each other. The drugs had erased their memories, leaving only primal instincts.
Grace's hand trembled as she reached for the door handle. She hesitated, wondering if she should intrude on Atlas's private moment. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she slowly turned the handle.
As the door creaked open, Grace's eyes widened in shock. Atlas was fiercely passionate, his movements intense as he continuously slammed into the woman beneath him. Tears pricked at the corners of Grace's eyes, but she couldn't look away.
The woman's face was obscured, but Grace knew she wasn't her. A pang of jealousy shot through her chest, followed by regret. Why had she come here? Why had she thought she could just barge in on Atlas's life?
Grace slowly backed away, shutting the door with a soft click. She turned and fled, hot tears streaming down her face. She couldn't bear the thought of Atlas with someone else.
As she disappeared into the night, Grace couldn't shake off the feeling that she'd made a grave mistake.
In the morning, as the phone rang loudly, Riley's eyes snapped open. She felt a heavy weight on her back and tried to sit up, only to realize that someone was lying on top of her. Memories of the previous night flooded her mind, and her face burned with embarrassment.
Riley quickly grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it. Atlas stirred, opening his eyes. He thought her behavior was strange – she had seduced him, and now she was hiding her face?
Jaxon's voice came through the phone, "Mister Atlas, the senior Norton requests your presence at the villa." Atlas responded curtly, "Okay."
Riley's eyes widened as she realized who Atlas was. She had slept with her soon-to-be husband. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.
As she sprang to her feet, a sharp pain shot through her legs, and she yelped. Atlas turned her around, shock written on his face as he recognized the rude woman from the airport.
Riley shut her eyes, expecting a scolding, but instead, Atlas handed her a pack of pain relievers. She took a pill, and soon the pain subsided.
The brave Riley was now speechless. Atlas ignored her, walking into the bathroom to take a shower. When he emerged, Riley was dressing. His gaze lingered on her waistline, remembering how he had held onto it the night before.
Riley was about to leave when Atlas's stern voice stopped her. "Be careful next time." She was taken aback, but her anger quickly resurfaced. She left, slamming the door shut.
As she stormed out, she bumped into Hunter, who smiled knowingly. Riley thought to herself that losing her virginity to Atlas wasn't a significant loss, considering their impending marriage.
Riley stepped out of the club, her phone buzzing with an incoming message. She hesitated, her eyes scanning the screen. It was an invitation from Mr. Chiu, a lawyer, requesting her presence at the Norton Villa. Her mind racing, Riley recalled Atlas's earlier phone call. Wasn't this the same villa he had been summoned to? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. If she attended, Atlas would undoubtedly recognize her as his prospective bride. Still reeling from their embarrassing encounter, Riley opted to decline. She typed out a hasty response, citing illness as her excuse, before hurrying home.
Meanwhile, Hunter sauntered into Atlas's private room, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Your woman is indeed a fairy," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Did you pay her?" Atlas's anger simmered just below the surface, but he kept his emotions in check. Something about Hunter's insinuation didn't sit right with him. The woman hadn't seemed like a prostitute... but what else could she have been doing in a place like that? His thoughts only fueled his growing irritation. "I'll pay later," he growled. Hunter nodded, but his next comment sent Atlas's anger boiling over. "For a first-timer, it's normal to crave more." Atlas's disgust was palpable. "Get out!" he barked. Hunter fled, laughing to himself as he exited the room.
Atlas arrived at the Norton family villa at noon, the grandeur of the estate a stark contrast to his turbulent mood. His mother, Charlotte, promptly accosted him, her voice shrill with hysteria.
"Son, you have to decline the marriage! Those people only want your money," she exclaimed, her grip on his arm tightening.
Atlas's irritation grew as he gently extricated his arm from her grasp. "If Grandfather wants this, why do you object?" he asked, his expression stern.
Charlotte's objections stemmed from her snobbish disdain for the Garrett family. Everyone knew the Garretts' younger daughter was ugly and fat – a fat, ugly country bumpkin. Charlotte couldn't bear the thought of presenting such a daughter-in-law to her social circle.
Dismissing his mother's tantrums, Atlas headed straight to Oliver Norton's study. The room was adorned with expensive artwork and lavish furnishings, the air thick with the scent of old books and leather. Oliver sat behind a massive desk crafted from rich, dark mahogany, its surface polished to a high sheen.
A document lay on the desk, awaiting Atlas's signature. He stared at the papers, needing no explanation. He was only doing this for his grandfather; otherwise, nothing could have persuaded him to accept this marriage proposal. With a flourish, he signed the documents, officially sealing his marriage to Riley Garrett.
"Where is she?" Atlas asked Mr. Chiu, noting the woman's absence.
Mr. Chiu swallowed hard, feeling pressured under Atlas's glare. "She's unwell."
Atlas scoffed. Surely, she wouldn't deign to attend. Such an ill-mannered woman! He thought, his disgust for Riley Garrett growing.
"I'm leaving," he declared, turning to depart.
Oliver Norton nodded, casting a warm smile at his grandson, which Atlas ignored. Oliver thought Atlas was simply upset for no reason, unaware that his grandson had never met Riley Garrett.