Amidst the whispers and stares from the bar's patrons, Cynthia stumbled out, her steps unsteady and desperate.
The late spring night breeze carried a chill, cruelly slipping into her collar. She was soaked, unsure whether it was sweat or spilled liquor from her struggle earlier, and as she stepped outside the bar, a shiver ran down her spine.
Suddenly, a strong wave of dizziness hit her, overwhelming her like a rushing tide.
Her body felt drained, as if her muscles had been stripped away, and she was left weak and on the verge of collapsing onto the cold ground.
Those drinks were definitely tampered with!
Shaking uncontrollably, Cynthia fumbled for her phone, her fingers sluggishly gliding across the screen as she tried to call her best friend, Erica, hoping for her to come and help.
But fate seemed unwilling to spare her.
Just then, two tall, shadowy figures appeared from behind her, silently approaching. Before she could react, a large, rough hand covered her mouth.
Cynthia felt the world spinning, her head heavy and clouded, as if engulfed in a thick fog.
Her body burned with an intense, uncomfortable heat, a sensation so foreign that she instinctively wanted to tear off her clothes.
Half-dazed, she was suddenly thrown onto a soft, large bed, the bright white light flashing painfully in her eyes.
She tried with all her might to open her eyes, to see where she was, but all she could see was a blurry haze, as if there were thick frosted glass between her and reality.
She tried to scream, but her throat was glued shut, no sound escaping.
Then, a towering figure slowly appeared in front of her, its presence overwhelming, like a mountain looming above her.
The figure pressed down heavily on her, the unmistakable scent of male pheromones flooding her senses, causing her body to involuntarily respond, every pore greedily inhaling the scent.
Her wrists were pinned to the bed with painful force, sharp agony jolting through her, bringing a fleeting moment of clarity.
In that instant, a deep, hoarse voice whispered in her ear, "I'm always right. YOU'RE THE SLUT! You want me to fuck you, huh?"
The words cut into her heart like a sharp knife.
She wasn't a slut, she screamed inside, wanting to open her mouth to argue, to tell him she was drugged, that she was a victim!
But when she tried to speak, all that escaped her lips were weak moans, the sound seeming to welcome the man's touch and invasion.
The next moment, her lips were seized in a harsh kiss, the burning sensation making her tremble all over.
She tried to push him away, but her body betrayed her, no strength left to resist, instead sinking deeper into the nauseating intimacy...
***
The Next Morning
The morning sun filtered through the thick curtains, casting several sharp beams of light. Cynthia's head was pounding painfully, each heartbeat like a heavy hammer pounding on her nerves.
Her body felt as though it had been pierced by countless needles, and an aching soreness spread throughout her limbs.
She struggled to turn over on the soft white bed, her pale arm slipping out from under the covers as she instinctively reached for her phone.
But after fumbling for a while, she couldn't find it. Rubbing her forehead, she slowly opened her eyes.
What she saw immediately snapped her out of the haze, as if cold water had been poured over her.
This was an unfamiliar room, lavishly decorated but filled with an eerie atmosphere.
The bed beneath her was soft, almost like a trap, binding her in place. What terrified her more was that she was completely naked, her skin exposed to the air, a cold chill seeping into her bones.
For a moment, her mind went blank.
Clothes, both men's and women's, were scattered all over the bed and the floor, the undeniable evidence of what had happened the night before—she had slept with a man.
Suddenly, the fragmented memories of last night crashed into her mind.
She had been abducted by a stranger, and then everything went black.
Her mind flickered with disjointed images, the man pressing on top of her, his hungry desire, the kiss, and the hands that had driven her to madness...
"DAMN!" she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling with a mixture of despair and fury. "A FUCKING one-night stand?!"
At that moment, the sound of running water came from the bathroom, harsh and loud in the otherwise silent room.
The noise startled Cynthia, making her freeze, her nerves immediately tensing.
Countless terrifying thoughts tangled in her mind.
Who was the man in the bathroom? Was he the one who kidnapped her?
Panicking, she quickly threw off the covers, scrambling out of bed, her bare feet cold against the floor.
Her movements were frantic and hurried, as she desperately grabbed for the clothes on the floor, trying to cover herself, while her eyes searched for her phone. That was her only chance for help.
When she finally found it, her trembling fingers pressed the buttons, ready to call the police.
But just then, the bathroom door creaked open. The sound wasn't loud, but it felt like thunder in her ears, and she froze in place, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Who was she about to face? Would this man kill her now that she was awake?
As she forced herself to calm down, she turned to face him, but the phone slipped from her hand, clattering to the floor.
Her face drained of color, her skin going deathly pale as if all the blood had been drained from her body. The air thickened with a suffocating cold.
It was the man from last night, the one who had called her a slut—Lucien.
He stood there, holding a cigarette in one hand, wrapped in a bath towel, his perfect physique on full display.
Water droplets clung to his pale skin, and his flawless face radiated coldness, his eyes—glinting with a chilling light—locked onto her.
Thick eyebrows, a high nose, and lips that were thin but exquisitely beautiful—all of it exuded an aristocratic elegance that was impossible to ignore.
But to Cynthia, it all felt like a nightmare.
Now, just being alone with him in this room, she felt as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff, with danger looming close by.
Run.
That was the only thought in her mind now. She had no courage left to defy him like she did last night.
But Lucien was faster. With one swift motion, he grabbed her sore wrist and slammed her against the wall, showing no intention of letting her go.
His breath was too close, and his wood-scented cologne, mixed with the fresh smell of his post-shower body, made her dizzy.
"Trying to run AGAIN?" Lucien's voice was low and hoarse, drifting in her ear with an undeniable force.
Cynthia's face was pressed hard against the wall, causing a sharp pain."I spent a lot of energy satisfying you last night. And you're just leaving like this? Not even a thanks?" Lucien's magnetic voice whispered in her ear.He was utterly shameless! To put it bluntly, he had committed a crime! And now, he was asking her to thank him?!"I have nothing to say to you. Let me go!" Cynthia felt stripped of all her dignity in front of him.She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her wrists, forcing her hands over her head. The barely hanging clothes slipped off her body, and she was once again pressed against the cold wall.Shame surged through her, overwhelming her thoughts."Nothing to say to me? Have you forgotten? We used to be husband and wife." Lucien's arms tightened around her waist, his body pressing dangerously close to hers. His lips brushed against her translucent earlobe, "I'm the one who knows best how slutty you are."His thumb ran over her lips, speaking slowly, "Your sk
Cynthia looked at Roy, a mix of emotions rising within her. Roy was handsome, and as a colleague, she knew him well. He was loyal, passionate, and responsible. If they were to date, he would treat her wonderfully—spoiling her and loving her. In every way, he seemed like a perfect partner.But..."Roy..." Cynthia wasn't sure how to begin.Roy spoke earnestly, "Cynthia, I love you! Over the course of our time together, I've realized I've unknowingly fallen for you. I know you need a warm embrace. Please, give me a chance. Marry me, Cynthia."Around them, guests turned to watch this heartfelt proposal, with some even encouraging her to say yes!"Say yes!"More voices joined in, repeating, "Say yes! Say yes!"Say yes?Once, she had thrown herself into love, only to be burned. Now, she had no expectations left...As Cynthia hesitated, a man suddenly walked up to them, his presence imposing and unnerving.He casually sat beside her, draping an arm over her shoulder, his lips brushing agains
As soon as Cynthia heard her son's voice, a pang of emotion surged in her heart."Harley, are you okay?""I'm not okay, Mommy. I miss you so much. Mommy, make sure you eat on time and don't stay up late. Wait for me..." Harley rambled on, his words warming Cynthia's heart.A smile tugged at her lips. "Well, well, well, I know all about it, and what about Gerald? Did he listen to you?""Ugh, he doesn't listen at all. A woman came to see him again today, and he dragged me out..." The phone seemed to be snatched from Harley's hands, and his protesting voice could be heard, muffled as if someone was holding him down. Cynthia could almost imagine Gerald pressing Harley's head down.Sure enough, Gerald's familiar raspy voice came through the phone. "There's no woman, don't listen to his nonsense.""Yes, there is! A woman with a big butt, really ugly! His taste is getting worse... no medicine can fix it..." Harley's voice came again, but was cut off midway. Without a doubt, Gerald was coveri
On the other side.Cynthia's hands trembled slightly as she held the phone to her ear, listening to the steady dial tone. Yet, her gaze never left Roy. Biting her lower lip, her face was filled with guilt and remorse as she whispered, "Gina, can you come over? Something happened, and I need your help."After hanging up, she took a deep breath and slowly walked toward Roy, each step feeling as though she were carrying a crushing weight."I'm sorry..." Cynthia's voice wavered with emotion.If not for her, Roy wouldn't have been humiliated like this, wouldn't have been beaten so badly. She knew all too well who had orchestrated this—Lucien, the man she both feared and despised.But Roy didn't know. At that moment, his face was twisted in fury, his eyes burning with rage as if ready to set the entire world on fire. His fists were clenched tight, his whole body tense like a provoked beast, ready to pounce and tear his enemy apart."You don't need to apologize. This isn't your fault—it's th
Lucien's face contorted with a storm of emotions, dark and unreadable.It had only been six years, yet she had already learned to threaten him with a knife.Cynthia tilted her head up, locking eyes with Lucien. Time had passed swiftly, but he seemed untouched by it—unchanged in every way.The same striking face she knew so well, the same abyssal gaze. The way he looked at her now was exactly how he had watched her last—filled with an overwhelming hatred, as if he wanted to tear her apart.Six years ago, there might have been a shred of mercy left in him. But now, the tide of time had washed away every trace of warmth between them, leaving behind nothing but pure, seething hatred. There was no kindness left in his gaze, only cold, merciless fury.Perhaps it was the dim lighting of the room, or perhaps it was the sight of his loathing expression, but Cynthia's eyes stung. Her grip on the knife trembled slightly, and the sharp blade nicked Lucien's neck. A bead of crimson welled up, star
Lucien stood alone in the room, the air around him drained of all life, leaving only an oppressive silence in the wake of the violent confrontation. Blood trickled steadily from his palm, yet his expression remained vacant and hollow, as if he felt no pain at all.The door burst open, and Sandy stepped inside. The sight before her made her eyes widen in shock, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, a gasp escaping before she could stop it. "Lucien!"Without a second thought, she turned and shouted toward the hallway, urgency thick in her voice. "Hurry! Get me some gauze!"Moments later, the necessary supplies were rushed into the room.Sandy dropped to her knees beside him, her hands trembling slightly as she carefully cleaned the blood from his palm. Though her movements were gentle, they carried a sense of urgency. She wrapped the gauze around his hand, layer after layer, securing it firmly.Throughout the process, Lucien remained motionless, as
As soon as Cynthia got home, she felt completely drained, as if all the strength had been sucked out of her.She collapsed onto the bed, her body sinking into the mattress, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her mind kept replaying everything that had happened with Lucien, the exhaustion weighing on her both physically and mentally, leaving her unable to move.She had no idea how long she lay there until a crisp knocking sound echoed from the door.Forcing herself to sit up, Cynthia dragged her weary body to open it.Standing outside was Erica, beaming with a bright smile, holding a large, heavy-looking shopping bag.The moment Erica stepped inside, her smile faltered. She immediately noticed something was off. With a concerned look, she asked, "What's wrong? You look terrible."Reaching out, she tried to feel Cynthia's forehead, checking if she was sick.Cynthia stepped aside to let her in, shaking her head slightly. She forced a weak s
CrossStar Group, commonly known as C. Star, was a rising entertainment company that had made a name for itself in just a few years. With a roster of top-tier celebrities under its management, it had quickly solidified its position in the industry, becoming the hottest topic among major magazines.Then of course F.E Magazine is no exception, this was supposed to be Gina's job, and it looks like she was supposed to be held up by her last job, and that's why she was asked to fill in.Stepping out of the office, Cynthia dialed Gina's number.On the other end, Gina's voice sounded a little weary, yet she still responded with her usual enthusiasm, promising to send over the documents right away.After hanging up, Cynthia quickly gathered her things and left the magazine office in a hurry.Upon arriving at C. Star's headquarters, the receptionist greeted her with a professional smile and politely led her to the waiting room. "Please wait here for a moment
On her way home from work, Cynthia felt her mood gradually settle. Gina's words—"The most important thing in a relationship is forgiveness"—kept echoing in her mind. Technically, her connection with Lucien was just a financial arrangement, but all this fighting was exhausting. With that thought, she made a decision: she'd be the one to break the ice tonight."How was your day?" — Too warm."You're back." — Too cold."Darling…" — She shut that thought down immediately.In the end, she settled on the most natural approach: "You're home? I was just about to cook—what do you feel like eating?"As soon as she stepped inside, she sprang into action. Her ankle still throbbed faintly, but she ignored the pain and rushed into the kitchen, laying out ingredients. On second thought, waiting in the kitchen felt too obvious. So she brought some celery to the living room and scattered a few leaves on the table, trying to make it look like she was mid-prep.Then she paused, stunned by herself—What t
Lucien walked through the door just in time to see Cynthia limping across the living room. He rushed over in three quick strides and steadied her."What happened?""Just twisted it a little," she replied casually, trying to pull her hand away."Why didn't you call me?" His brow furrowed into a knot.Cynthia looked up at him, her eyes—usually bright like starlight—now clouded with confusion."It wasn't a big deal.""Not a big deal? What, do I have to wait until your leg breaks for it to count as one?" His voice spiked in volume, and his grip on her wrist tightened. She was always like this—always keeping him shut out. Five years ago, and still now."What's your problem?" Cynthia yanked her hand free. "I was trying to save you the trouble."Lucien's jaw clenched so hard it seemed carved from stone. She'd never understand—he'd rather she cry and call him in a panic than see her pretending to be strong.When she insisted on walking on her own, he simply scooped her up without a word."Hey
Cynthia glanced around the minimalist yet cozy room. Her eyes landed on several racing photos on the wall."Didn't expect you to be a race car driver," she said."Just a hobby." Martin handed her a glass of water and cut straight to the point. "Actually, I've heard about you long ago.""Oh?" Cynthia's lips curled slightly. "What did you hear?""You're my boss's ex-wife." Martin clasped his hands. "Someone who left a deep mark on him."Cynthia let out a soft laugh. "You're giving me too much credit. A man like Lucien—who could possibly affect him?"Martin neither agreed nor denied. "I want to ask you to go easy on Jacqueline."Cynthia's gaze sharpened, the smile no longer reaching her eyes. "You must be joking. I'm just a regular person. How could I possibly 'go easy' on a top celebrity?""Just don't kick her while she's down," Martin said calmly. "She's already been blacklisted. Her career is over. She's paying the price for her own actions."Suddenly, Cynthia changed the subject. "Do
On Monday morning, when Cynthia walked into the office, the teasing she had braced herself for never came. Gina sat motionless at her desk, staring blankly at the dark computer screen. She hadn't even turned it on.Pearl leaned over and whispered, "What's up with her?"Cynthia suddenly recalled what Lucien had said Friday night—"Gina likes Martin." Thinking back to how Martin had conveniently shown up at the party, things started to click."What's it like kissing your bro?" Cynthia leaned in and murmured into Gina's ear.With a loud thud, Gina toppled over in her chair and crashed to the ground. She scrambled to her feet, her face a furious shade of red. "W-What nonsense are you talking about?!"Pearl and Cynthia exchanged a glance—and then burst out laughing.Pearl pointed to the still-black computer screen. "Our top gun's been zoning out in front of a powered-off monitor all morning.""I was brainstorming!" Gina snapped, though her defense sounded pretty weak.Cynthia feigned shock,
The knocking resumed at the door—this time accompanied by other voices. Cynthia struggled again, but Lucien easily pinned her down, his lips returning to hers with a possessive urgency. He even bit her, not hard, but enough to force her focus back to him.Only when the knocking finally stopped did Lucien slightly pull away, his voice husky. "When are you going to send them home?"Cynthia was ready to curse at him, but his fingers pressed gently against her lips. He stroked her bitten mouth with his thumb, his tone softening unexpectedly."I know I didn't come back right away, but I've been keeping an eye on everything here. The Jessica thing? Handled the next day. I just got caught up with something else." He leaned his forehead against hers. "Once they're gone, I'll explain everything."By the time Cynthia emerged from the bedroom, the living room was completely empty. The chaos from the night before had vanished—everything was spotless. On the coffee table lay a note from Pearl: "We
All eyes were on the center of the room, where a game had just gone terribly wrong—or right, depending on who you asked. Cynthia and Gina's lips accidentally brushed in the middle of a biscuit game, and time seemed to freeze.From the doorway, two invisible waves of tension rolled in, colliding overhead and silencing the once-boisterous party.It was just a game mishap—really. Not only had they kissed, but two guys nearby had bumped lips too. Still, to Lucien and Martin, the world had narrowed to just one pair of touching lips.The party screeched to a halt. Laughter died mid-sound. The oppressive tension pinned everyone in place as they all instinctively turned toward the door.Cynthia's gaze briefly passed over Lucien's face before she looked away, completely expressionless. "Keep playing. Don't stop."But who could stay relaxed in front of those two? One was a world-famous celebrity with charisma to burn; the other, just standing there, made the air hard to breathe. The living room
Cynthia sat on a cold metal chair, her fingertips tapping lightly on the table. The officer pushed a stack of interrogation notes in front of her—three middle schoolers' statements, their childish handwriting crooked and clumsy, but filled with the phrase "delivering justice.""They thought they were punishing evil and promoting good," the officer sighed. "But they were just being used."Cynthia lowered her gaze, a cold smirk tugging at her lips. "Justice?" she repeated softly, her finger gliding over the line that read: ‘Acting on orders from above.'"Did you find out who that ‘higher-up' was?"The officer nodded. "Got him. Some guy running an online troll farm. He confessed the moment we brought him in." He paused. "Said someone paid him to orchestrate the whole thing."Cynthia didn't ask who. She already knew.—Jacqueline.She pulled out her phone and dialed Hogan's number."I was waiting for your call," Hogan said lazily, as if he'd seen this all coming."I need your help.""How c
After making breakfast, Cynthia invited Simon to eat with her. Once they finished, she handed him a blanket and a pillow."You can get some rest now. I'm not going out at all today."Simon took the bedding and watched as she returned to the table, opened her laptop, and began working with her usual efficiency. There was a quiet, enduring charm about her—a confidence that shimmered beneath her calm exterior.Compared to those dainty women who squealed for help just to open a soda can, Cynthia's independence was refreshing. She didn't need a man to define her or hold her hand through life. And Simon, in his heart, respected that.So, holding the blanket, he watched her for a moment and mumbled, "Thanks."Cynthia, reading the morning's headlines on social media, turned and gave him a brief smile before refocusing on her screen. Simon, clearly exhausted, lay down on the couch and fell asleep within minutes.Cynthia scrolled through the trending posts. In just one night, Jacqueline had tak
With a whirlwind of passion, Cynthia was completely spent. She didn't have the strength to argue anymore, or even resist. All she wanted now was to sleep.But Lucien wouldn't let her.He pulled her into his arms, watching her settle like a stroked cat finally soothed."You were angry the other day because you thought I went to see another woman, weren't you?"Cynthia played dead.Lucien bit her ear. She slapped him. He looked pissed."Cynthia!"She opened her eyes and stared at him. "What have you been doing these past few days?"Her tone was almost that of a wife questioning her husband.Lucien studied her. "You care what I've been doing?"Cynthia turned away and lay back down. But of course Lucien wasn't done. His hands wandered again.Suddenly, Cynthia twisted around and bit his ear hard. That finally shut him up.She stared at his dumbfounded face and the way he was looking at her—it made her skin crawl. She turned her back to him.Lucien pulled her back, face unusually serious."