Running terrified through the darkness and cold of the night, Alexis Reed tried to escape Jerry McCallum and his men. She stop momentarily, feeling safe after slipping out of an alley. Suddenly, the blinding headlights of a car dazzled her eyes. As she adjusted her gaze, she saw the car stop near her. A dashing man stepped out, dressed in a sleek black suit, complete with a golden wristwatch and polished leather shoes. He was strikingly handsome, with sharp jawlines adorned by a thin beard—an image of perfection.
"Hey, you, bitch, you can't run away from me!"
The shout from behind yanked Alexis's attention back to her pursuers. She was gripped by fear once again, leaving her no choice but to hide behind the mysterious man.
"Please, help me!" she whispered, clinging to the man's back. "They're going to kidnap me!"
The man remained silent, his cold and piercing eyes fixed on the group of men approaching, particularly the one in a gray suit ,Jerry McCallum.
"Don't meddle in my business. I want her with me now!" Jerry yelled, pointing at Alexis who cowered behind the mysterious man.
"Who are you?" the mysterious man asked, his voice calm yet commanding. "Why should she go with you when she clearly doesn't want to?"
Jerry smirked, crossing his arms smugly.
"I've bought her… She's whore, Can't you see?"
Alexis immediately let go of the mysterious man, her body trembling.
"Why bother saving a whore like her? Let her do what she's supposed to. I paid a fortune for her!" Jerry sneered, pointing at Alexis again.
"No... I don't want to!" Alexis murmured, shaking her head as her hand instinctively clutched the mysterious man's arm.
The mysterious man exhaled deeply, his icy blue eyes narrowing as he clenched his fists.
"She doesn't want to go with you," he stated firmly.
"Do I care whether she wants to or not?" Jerry countered with a mocking grin before glancing at the thugs flanking him.
At his signal, the thugs surged toward the mysterious man. A fight broke out. Terrified, Alexis watched as chaos unfolded, but her fear melted into awe as his effortlessly overpowered the thugs one by one.
"Leave and never come back!" the mysterious man roared, glaring at Jerry.
Jerry froze, staring at his defeated thugs writhing in pain, then shifted his furious gaze to Alexis and the mysterious man.
"What?" the mysterious man growled, his fierce eyes fixed on Jerry while Alexis continued to cling to his back.
"This isn't over. She's mine!" Jerry spat, pointing at Alexis. "She won't escape me forever!"
Alexis shook her head in fear.
"You'll regret this! Your family will pay!" Jerry bellowed before storming off. "Mark my words!"
The mysterious man watched them leave before turning to Alexis who immediately lowered her head and stepped away.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have involved you," Alexis whispered.
The mysterious man studied her appearance, her black mini dress, bare shoulders, and heavily painted face.
'She doesn't seem comfortable in her appearance. It feels like she's not being herself. Maybe… she's the right person to free me from my marriage to Clara,' he thought before grabbing Alexis's arm.
"We need to leave. You can't go home—it's not safe. That man will come after you again," he said.
"But…" Alexis hesitated.
Without waiting, the mysterious man opened the car door and gestured for her to get in.
Reluctantly, Alexis entered, glancing at the man as he took the seat beside her. She was silent, recalling how he had saved her without regard for his own safety.
'Is he my guardian angel? He's so handsome… and kind. Any woman would be lucky to have him,' she thought, smiling to herself.
The Whitmore Mansion
Alexis followed the mysterious man into an opulent living room decorated in white, complete with luxurious furniture and a grand staircase leading to the upper floor.
"I know you need rest, but there's something I want to offer you," the mysterious man said, turning to face her. Extending his hand, he introduced himself. "I'm Greyson Whitmore."
Alexis looked up in shock, her eyes wide.
"You…?" she stammered. 'That name… it's familiar. He owns the hotel where Luciana works. How could I forget? He was a trending topic because of his extravagant wedding!' she thought, panicking internally.
"Don't you want to tell me your name?" Greyson asked.
"Um… Alexis Reed," she said, shaking his hand. "That's my name..."
Greyson smiled before withdrawing his hand.
"Thank you for saving me. If you don't help me, I'd be that bastard's slave now," Alexis said, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Don't dwell on it. But now, I need you to explain how you ended up being 'bought' by him," Greyson replied, his piercing gaze locked on her green eyes. "You're a beautiful girl, not something to be sold or bought… And I feel like you're not being yourself."
"Um…" Alexis lowered her head. "I…"
Before she could finish, Greyson grabbed her hand and guided her to sit on a yellow sofa.
Alexis gulped, glancing nervously at her petite hand encased in Greyson's firm grasp. 'What does he want? He's a married man… and his wife is stunning.' She pictured Clara's beautiful face as seen on social media.
Greyson let her sit but kept his unwavering gaze on her, his hand still holding her arm.
"Hey…" Alexis said, uneasy.
"Uh, sorry," Greyson muttered, quickly letting go her hand. He smiled awkwardly and exhaled. "Okay, let's get to the point so you can rest afterward."
"But… I don't think I should stay here," Alexis murmured. "I mean… you're a married man. It's inappropriate for me to be here. Your wife might…"
"She's not here," Greyson interrupted softly.
Alexis frowned.
"She doesn't even know that I'm here," Greyson explained, biting his lip before glancing back at Alexis. "You'll think this is crazy, but I'm doing it. I've never opened up to anyone… except my confidant, and now, to you."
"Me?"
"Yes, you," Greyson said with a smile.
"But why? What does this mean?" Alexis asked, confused.
Greyson sighed, grabbing her hand again. "Clara and I married purely for business. Our families struck a deal to save my family's company from bankrupt. Her father, Mr Everett, insisted I marry her in exchange for his help. We did, but it's been a disaster. Clara doesn't love me and openly admits she's with someone else. She wants a divorce, but her father won't allow it," he confessed.
Alexis listened quietly, her frown deepening. Occasionally, she glanced at Greyson's strong hand covering hers, making her heart race.
"I need your help to end this," Greyson whispered.
"How… how can I help you?" Alexis asked.
"Be my mistress," Greyson said, causing Alexis to pull her hand away.
"You're insane!" she shouted, standing abruptly. "I know I've been dealt a bad hand in life, sold by my uncle to a pimp, and then rescued by you. But what… what's the difference if I agree to be your mistress? You're dragging me into another mess!"
Greyson stood, trying to calm her.
"Hey, that's not what I meant—"
"No!" Alexis interrupted, heading toward the door. "He wants me to be his mistress. This is madness. Becoming a billionaire's mistress will ruin his reputation, and I'll become a target for ridicule. I'm not that reckless—I just want a peaceful life!"
Greyson sighed harshly, standing with his hands on his hips as he watched Alexis hurry toward the gate. He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Barron, find everything you can about Alexis Reed," he instructed, his eyes following her retreating figure, her face imprinted in his memory. "Let me know as soon as possible. I don't have much time before meeting Mr Everett," he added before ending the call.