As Sarah and Grayson continued their dance, William's piercing gaze never left them. He had been observing Sarah from the moment she had entered the club, and his interest had been piqued. He had connections in the criminal underworld, and Sarah's recent encounters with danger had not gone unnoticed. She is dancing with a very dangerous man, the fact that she is an innocent girl just starting to learn how to enjoy her life. “Daniel, you told me she has no boyfriend or whatsoever, how come this Lao scion seem to know her?” His thick eyebrows furrow like a mad man and he stands to flex his leg muscles as he drinks his cognac. “Master, Grayson thinks and acts as if he knows every other lady in a dress and would bloody take advantage to any beautiful innocent girl he sees.” William knew Grayson well, perhaps even better than Grayson knew himself. They had been partners in various ventures, and there was an unspoken understanding between them. Sarah, still in Grayson's arms, suddenly fe
In that moment, she felt like a different person, as if her truest carnal essence had been awakened. William, captivated by her presence, regarded her with an intense admiration, his eyes memorizing every curve and contour of her body.Drawing near, he passionately kissed her, his hand simultaneously cupping her cheek while the other caressed her breast. His touch ignited a fiery response within her, eliciting a cascade of pleasurable sensations.Moving with deliberate intent, he carried her, never breaking the connection of their lips. Exploring every inch of her, he bestowed kisses upon her face, her neck, and her breasts, skillfully attending to her desires. With playful fervor, he lavished attention on her nipples, massaging one while consuming the other with an insatiable hunger. Slowly, he descended, bestowing affection upon her navel and stomach.Sarah couldn't help but release a moan, bordering on a scream, as William sensually parted her thighs, his tongue tantalizingly traci
As Sarah stirred from her slumber, she found herself ensnared in William's firm embrace. Gently, she disentangled herself from his grasp, his arms reluctantly releasing their hold. With a sense of urgency, she gathered her scattered clothes, slipped into her sandals, and clutched her purse. Her eyes darted to her cellphone's luminous screen, its cold glow illuminating the dim room – 4:30 in the morning.A twinge of anxiety coursed through her veins, and her heart raced. Her gaze involuntarily wandered to the crimson marks on the bedsheet – an indelible proof to her innocence lost to this enigmatic man. Despite the brevity of their encounter, she felt an inexplicable connection with him, a connection she prayed would not jeopardize her mission. Her resolve remained unwavering, for her family's sake.Sarah whispering to herself, "I hope my mission is successful."With haste, she dressed herself, a pang of regret resonating in her heart. The remnants of their intimate liaison clung to her
William Xu, still half-asleep, stretched out on the luxurious sheets of his expansive bed. He yawned, expecting to find Sarah nestled beside him, but the space next to him was empty and cold. Confusion quickly turned to concern as he realized she had left.William calls out, "Sarah?"He sat up, his gaze darting around the room, but there was no sign of her. The disheveled bed and a faint, lingering scent of her perfume were the only reminders that she had been there. Panic began to gnaw at him as he wondered why she had left so abruptly."Where could she have gone?" He felt a sudden frustration.The memory of their passionate night together had left an undeniable mark on him, and he couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and possessiveness. He had been Sarah's first, and the knowledge that she had chosen him brought a sense of satisfaction that transcended physical desire.He immediately reached for his phone and called his bodyguards, inquiring if they had seen Sarah. While talkin
In matter of minutes, he doned in a gray suit with a mint shirt that made him look daper and fresh and talked to his executive assistant over the phone that he will be arriving at 10:00 A.M.William paced back and forth in his luxurious hotel suite, torn between the urgency of finding Sarah and his realization that she must still be sore after their passionate night together. His desire for her was undeniable, a burning hunger that threatened to consume him. However, he couldn't ignore the fact that Sarah needed rest, that pushing her too soon might cause more harm than good."She must be sore... physically and emotionally. I can't rush this.His inner turmoil was palpable. He longed to feel her presence beside him, to hold her in his arms once more, but he also understood the importance of giving her the time and space she needed. The memory of their shared intimacy was etched in his mind, each moment a testament to the profound connection they had forged.James called him that they
Draped in a simple, black sheath dress that hugged her every curve, Sarah embodies a blend of grace and determination. The long sleeves provide an air of modesty, while the hood framing her face added an element of intrigue. This attire was not merely a fashion choice; it concealed her concealed armor, cleverly strapped to her limbs and ready for action. Sarah was always prepared, and her dress, its hem gracefully brushing her ankles, concealed her true intentions.A pair of sleek, black stilettos graced her feet, their sharp lines a stark contrast to the flowing elegance of her dress. These shoes were more than just a fashion statement; they symbolize her inner strength and readiness to face any challenge head-on. Her golden curls, typically flowing like a cascade of sunshine, were expertly tied in a neat bun, ensuring they stayed out of her way as she readied herself for the unpredictable day ahead.Although her face was hidden behind dark sunglasses, they couldn't completely mask t
Sarah's security team sprang into action with practiced efficiency. An expert among them swiftly and deftly disarmed the device, rendering it harmless in a matter of seconds. The potential catastrophe had been averted, but the shock and fear lingered in the air like an unshakable specter.Sarah's gaze, sharp and unyielding, swept over the assembled guests, and her eyes settled on Cynthia and Benjie Lao. They wore expressions of feigned innocence, yet their guilt was palpable. Cynthia's fragile facade crumbled as she succumbed to the stress of the moment, collapsing in her mourning attire. Servants rushed to her aid, carrying her away from the scene.It was a stark reminder that even in the solemnity of a wake, the undercurrents of power, rivalry, and treachery ran deep, and Sarah would need to navigate them with unwavering resolve.In the wake of the attempted bombing, a palpable tension hung in the air, and Sarah could feel the weight of her responsibility pressing down upon her shou
The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden hue across the room where Chairman Vincent, Sarah, Catherine, and Hendrick gathered to discuss the relocation of the wake. The room was adorned with opulent furnishings, a testament to the wealth and power of the Xiang family. Outside, through large windows, a view of the vast and beautiful garden stretched as far as the eye could see.Chairman Vincent, an aging but still imposing figure, sat at the head of a long, polished wooden table. His sharp, calculating eyes bore the weight of a lifetime of business dealings. Sarah, his granddaughter, sat beside him, her presence a testament to the strength of the Xiang bloodline.His expression, while stern, also held a touch of nostalgia as he thought about the wake. He had been preparing for this moment for a long time, but the circumstances had taken an unexpected turn. He had hoped for a peaceful transition, but it seemed that challenges lay ahead.Catherine, the family lawyer and Vincent's truste
For three long and painful days, William had barricaded himself from the outside world. The heartache of Sarah's unexplained departure had driven him to isolate himself at the mansion’s bar, leaving him in a state of emotional turmoil. The once-bustling world around him had become a distant and hazy backdrop to his profound despair.William took another glass of scotch, wincing as he felt the effects of the excessive alcohol consumption. His stomach rebelled with an acid reflux, a painful reminder of his self-destructive behavior.In this troubled state, his loyal bodyguards, Tony and James, entered the room, concern etched on their faces. "Chairman Xu, you need to take care of yourself," Tony implored. "This isn't the way to cope with your emotions."James nodded in agreement, adding, "We've been looking for her diligently. We'll find her, but you need to regain control."William's voice was hoarse as he responded, "I can't... I can't think of anything else but her. I need her back."
The cold water was biting, but Sarah didn’t have time to feel it. She swam as fast as her tired body would allow, pushing through the ache in her muscles and the sharp sting of her wounds. The shouting from the men behind her was getting closer, bullets slicing through the air, some splashing into the lake around her.She heard the familiar “whup... whup… whup…” of the helicopter’s blades overhead, growing louder. Sarah dared to look up, water dripping from her hair into her eyes. The helicopter was hovering lower now, just above the water, the downdraft creating ripples across the surface."SARAH!" her uncle’s voice cut through the chaos. "GRAB THE LADDER!"She saw it—metal steps descending from the helicopter, swinging just above the water’s surface. The current made it difficult to get close, but she fought against it, using every last bit of her strength. Her uncle’s men were firing back at Benjie Lao’s goons, the air filled with the sound of gunfire. They were out in the open, hol
"What a filth!" She couldn't contain her disgust as she gagged, the stench of the tunnel overwhelming her senses. She stumbled, her stomach turning, and finally, the inevitable happened. She threw up, her body revolted against the foul odor.As soon as she could, she crawled out of the tunnel, her skirt torn and dirty. The sewer led her to a small, dark hole, which she squeezed through, emerging into a dense, unfamiliar forest."God, I'm still on Lao's property," she groaned, pulling out her phone and dialing her uncle Vincent's number. "Uncle, please help me. I'm in Shanghai, at Lao's mansion.""Sarah?! Oh, God, I've been looking for you! Where are you?""I'm in the woods. I escaped through the sewers.""Hang on. I'll be there with my men immediately. Go and hide!""Okay, please hurry." As she spoke, she looked up and saw towering pine trees. The sound of voices carried through the air, a chilling reminder of her danger. She knew she had to move, or she'd be found."I need to climb th
Twenty minutes felt like a lifetime as Sarah scrambled to pack a few essentials. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a mix of apprehension and a strange, dawning excitement. The unexpected possibility of pregnancy offered a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty. But the road ahead was shrouded in mist.Grayson's knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "We need to leave, Sarah. The chopper's waiting." His voice was clipped, his expression unreadable.She forced a smile, shoving the remaining clothes into her bag. "Just a minute." The carefully constructed facade felt brittle, ready to crumble under the weight of unanswered questions.Downstairs, the grand foyer felt even more imposing than before. The rhythmic thrum of the chopper blades vibrated in the air, a constant reminder of the escape, or perhaps, a forced return, she wasn't sure which. As they walked out towards the helipad, Sarah couldn't help but steal a glance at Grayson. His jaw was set, his eyes re
Twenty minutes felt like a lifetime as Sarah scrambled to pack a few essentials. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a mix of apprehension and a strange, dawning excitement. The unexpected possibility of pregnancy offered a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty. But the road ahead was shrouded in mist.Grayson's knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "We need to leave, Sarah. The chopper's waiting." His voice was clipped, his expression unreadable.She forced a smile, shoving the remaining clothes into her bag. "Just a minute." The carefully constructed facade felt brittle, ready to crumble under the weight of unanswered questions.Downstairs, the grand foyer felt even more imposing than before. The rhythmic thrum of the chopper blades vibrated in the air, a constant reminder of the escape, or perhaps, a forced return, she wasn't sure which. As they walked out towards the helipad, Sarah couldn't help but steal a glance at Grayson. His jaw was set, his eyes re
Glancing at the wall clock, Sarah noticed it was 6:35 AM. Despite their hunger, they eat in silence, sitting across from each other at the table. She ate quickly, knowing that later that afternoon was her grandfather’s funeral.Then, Grayson's phone rang, and he excused himself to answer the call. The conversation that followed left a sense of tension hanging in the air. Sarah couldn't help but overhear parts of it, and it piqued her curiosity even further.Grayson received the call someone mysterious, and his expression turned solemn as he listened to the authoritative voice on the other end of the line. "Bring Sarah back to Shanghai," those words were firm, and his tone conveyed the weight of his authority.The command was clear and left no room for negotiation. Grayson understood that he needed to follow these instructions, and the complexities of their situation seemed to deepen. With a nod, he replied, "Understood, Chairman. I will make the necessary arrangements.""Avoid getting
Grayson woke early and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast himself. As he chopped onions, his phone rang—it was his grandfather, Chairman Benjie Lao. Grayson knew immediately that an early morning call like this meant trouble, something urgent and possibly deadly. His stomach tightened as he answered."Grandpa, I’m guessing you’ve got something important to tell me," Grayson says, his voice steady despite his unease. He knew his grandfather well enough to expect the worst."You’re a crazy brat! Deliver Sarah to me!" Benjie’s voice thundered through the phone, punctuated by the loud stomp of his cane. "Don’t defy me, fool. I know you bedded her without consent. Love will take you nowhere. Marry her, then kill her immediately!" His tone left no room for misinterpretation.Grayson's jaw clenched. His eyes darkened as memories of his childhood flashed in his mind—being forced to train with his father's men, getting shot, and enduring a samurai’s blade across his back. The thought of
As they returned to the mansion after their half-day excursion in Nanchang city, Grayson and Sarah found themselves in high spirits as if they have no problems at all. The connection between them had deepened, and curiosity about each other's worlds had grown. The mansion, with its grandeur, was a stark contrast to the bustling streets of the city they had just explored.They decided to plunge into the pool while still in their clothes on, laughter bubbling up between them like the water splashing around. The coolness of the water was a delightful contrast to the heat of their bodies, and they felt carefree, like kids again, giggling as they splashed each other playfully.“Come on, you can’t be scared of a little water!” he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he dunked her lightly, pulling her under for a brief moment before she resurfaced, gasping and laughing.“I’ll get you for that!” she declared, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sen
Sarah's eyes flutter open as she senses a gentle touch against her cheeks. Her heart quickens, and even before she fully comprehends what's happening, the undeniable presence of another person lingers before her. She lies still, her senses on high alert, trying to discern who could be sharing this intimate space with her in the dark.As Sarah slowly opened her eyes and beheld Grayson's impassive face hovering over her, her heart raced, and she instinctively shielded her nearly bare bosom from the gossamer fabric of her silk nightgown. She sat up, her nerves on edge. "Grayson, what a surprise," she managed to utter, attempting to conceal her vulnerability."Well, tomorrow is your Grandpa's burial, and I must take you there," Grayson stated, his emotions turbulent as he observed Sarah's vulnerable yet alluring state. "You have a natural beauty that drives me crazy," he added, reaching out to caress her hair before standing. "It's almost seven. I suppose we should have breakfast together.