Trying to hide my embarrassment, I placed a hand on my hip and faced him. I wondered just how much of our conversation he might’ve overheard.Hopefully not all of it.“Just playing the role of the loving doting wife,” I tried to maintain my cool and composure, but my strained voice betrayed me.“Your first day here and you’re already bullying my employees,” he said calmly.“Maybe your employees shouldn’t go around threatening people,” I bit back, then unable to resist, I added, “And maybe you should stop sleeping with your workers, it’s demeaning.”His expression didn’t waver, though his eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t bother to deny my accusations, meaning I was right, and that stirred an uncomfortable sensation in my gut. Not wanting to have any more of this conversation, I excused myself and he didn't try to stop me. Just as I was almost exiting the crowd, my phone rang and my heart lit up when I saw Amelia’s name pop up on my screen.“Hey sis,” I chimed, glad to hear from her, “How

ADONIS’S POVMy eyes remained trained on the other side of the dining table, as I waited to hear Estelle’s light footsteps as she came down for breakfast.Thirty minutes passed. She never came.I sent Marie to get Estelle down, but when she came down with a concerned look on her face, I knew she hadn’t succeeded.“She refused to listen to me, or even open her door, sir.”She was still mad at me, that I could tell. Last night was something beyond my control. Whenever I was bent on punishing, it took a lot to get myself to stop, and the way she had looked at me with those alluring eyes wasn’t helping. Inflicting pain and dominating power was my way of getting pleasure.Seeing her on her knees in front of me had raked something in my mind, and stirred something so deep and dark within me. I couldn’t stop, I was so enchanted by her in that state, and now I hurt her.She hated me for that now.But deep down, she had loved it; I could see it in her eyes. There was a way to make her punishme