Dylan narrowed his eyes, just about to express his annoyance, when he saw Flora push past Candy and run out of the room, stumbling in her haste.
In the hallway, the figure she had seen earlier was long gone, but those eyes—she would never forget them in her entire life.
Standing dazed in the hallway, she felt the strange gazes of passersby falling on her. A cold sensation spread across her face, and when Flora wiped her cheeks, she realized she was crying.
She wondered if she had mistaken the identity again, thinking, “if it really was him, how could he turn away so casually after seeing me?”
“You, Justin, had once promised not to let me go for a lifetime.”
Inside the dance floor, the intense and dazzling music made people sway, and excitement spread across their faces, completely concealing the sadness in this corner.
After standing there for a long time, the dazed expression on her face slowly faded. With red eyes, she turned around to see Dylan, his face dark and brooding, towering not far away.
He leaned against the wall, a lit cigarette dangling from his fingers.
Straightening his upper body, he threw down the cigarette, stomped it out with his foot, his movements slow and elegant.
Flora watched him walk up to her, and it wasn’t until he grabbed her wrist that she felt his anger.
Dylan dragged Flora into Chamber No. 1, his forceful movements nearly causing her to fall to the ground.
With a forceful swing of his arm, Flora was thrown onto the soft couch.
Bruises formed on her wrist. Dylan’s companions noticed something was off. They exchanged glances, and said discreetly, “Mr. Bowles, you take your time. We’ll let you have the room.”
With that, they left with their escorts, heading off to enjoy themselves elsewhere.
Flora propped herself up with her hands, trying to stand, but she was pushed back down by the force on her shoulder. Lying on the couch, she asked, “What do you want to do?”
“Who did you see?” His cold, intimidating breath was in her face.
Flora looked away and saw Dylan bending down, his hands propped up beside her ears. “It was stuffy in there. I just went out for some fresh air.”
“Flora, you’re lying,” he said bluntly, not sparing her feelings.
Already feeling upset, her emotions couldn’t be hidden any longer. Flora still wouldn’t admit it, her eyes red and watery. “I’m not.”
Her stubbornness was almost obstinate.
But Dylan wasn’t one to back down either. His muscular chest pressed down, his nose almost touching Flora’s forehead. “You know I want you to be obedient.”
Flora sighed helplessly, “Mr. Bowles, it’s already over between us.”
“Or is it?” Dylan smirked; the wicked smile Flora knew all too well. “It’ll only be over when I say it is.”
His scorching breath made Flora’s cheeks burn. Suddenly, she felt a loosening and tightening around her waist. By the time Flora realized what was happening, her buttons had been undone. She quickly bent her legs, a look of resistance clearly displayed on her face.
Dylan placed a hand on Flora’s knee, his long fingers gripping her tightly. “You said earlier that the guy had requested you before, Flora? Are you really going to debase yourself like that?”
Flora sneered, “Isn’t that the answer you wanted? If it makes you happy, I’ll give it to you.”
Anger flared in Dylan’s eyes because even Flora’s resistance seemed dismissive.”
That was infuriating. Dylan suddenly smirked wickedly, “Fine, I want you now.”
Flora’s calm facade finally cracked, and she placed her hands on Dylan’s chest to push him away. “I don’t want this.”
“Hahaha—” Dylan laughed heartily. “I can take everything away from you right now, you know that?”
Flora asked in shock, “So you want to go back on your word?”
“If I want to, I can, of course,” Dylan responded coldly.
Flora stared up at Dylan, her fingers tense and ready to strike. She scoffed coldly, her expression full of contempt, “Should I be grateful to you for giving me the ability to be self-reliant, unlike what you did to your other women?”
“If you want that kind of life, I can give it to you, too.” Dylan knew, of course, that Flora wouldn’t.
“Is this how you always treat women?” Flora asked.
Their eyes met, both equally cold. Dylan’s other hand stroked Flora’s head as he said, “I won’t let you go until I feel like to.”
Facing such domineering tactics, Flora narrowed her eyes. “And when would that be?”
Dylan’s fingers pressed harder, and he leaned in, his voice wicked. “Why ask so many questions? Don’t worry, that day may never come.”
The familiar pain of being torn apart returned. Flora tried to push him away, but Dylan’s entire body was already on top of her, his alcohol-laced tongue invading her mouth, his hand fanning the flames.
Although she had been treated, the injured areas still burned like fire.
Seeing the excitement on Dylan’s face, Flora knew the consequences of resisting. She simply withdrew her hands and lay motionless, letting him have his way.
Minutes later, he rolled off her and sat on the couch, his handsome face full of annoyance. “You’re like a dead fish.”
Flora didn’t stay long at Desire. When she returned home, it wasn’t too late. Monica was still waiting for her, but the food on the table had gone cold.
“Mom…” Her voice was full of guilt.
“Well, how was your first day at work? Did you get used to it?” Monica asked while reheating the food.
“It was good. My colleagues were nice to me,” she replied casually, avoiding the subject. Feeling unwell, she ate a few bites of food and quickly retreated to her room.
The next day, Flora was up with the birds, not wanting to be late for work.
Once she got to the office, she noticed that everyone in the department was already parked at their desks. As she walked in, they all gave her the side-eye and whispered among themselves.
“What the hell?”
“How’d they let someone like her join our design team?”
With a furrowed brow, Flora made her way to her desk. As she started her computer, the office door swung open, and an irked Lilian appeared.
“Flora, I don’t give a hoot who arranged you here, but once you’re here, you gotta play by our rules. Slacking off on day one—do you think this company’s your family business?”
Lilian spoke with authority, and after she finished, Flora shot back, “You were in a meeting yesterday, so I had to get others to help me ask for leave.”
Julie, who was sitting front and center, raised her hand. “Lilian, I helped her put in for leave yesterday.”
“From now on, you come to me about this stuff on your own. Without my say-so, nobody can bend the rules,” Lilian declared, posted up by the office door. “Dock this month’s bonus!”
Sitting at her desk, Flora caught a mix of sympathy and glee in her coworkers’ eyes.
Julie scooted her chair over to Flora’s desk. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get your bonus axed.”
“I should be thanking you,” Flora replied cool as a cucumber, her mood unshaken. But she couldn’t help but feel baffled by the looks she was getting.
Julie studied her face closely. Sensing her confusion, Flora asked, “What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing.” Julie looked away but slid a company business card in front of Flora. “You’re new here, so check the design department’s email first. The password… is 967836.” Once she was done, she zipped back to her seat.
Feeling like something was fishy, Flora logged into her email pronto. As she clicked her mouse, a bunch of risqué pictures popped up on the screen.
Taken aback, Flora tried to wrap her head around the situation.
