Chapter 5
“Are you sure about that?” Luther asked, his cold gaze sweeping over me.
Before I could respond, Adeline stepped past me and walked up to Luther’s car.
She glanced down at my feet and whispered, “If you’ve got a problem, take it up in private. It’s a bit inappropriate to cause a scene in front of everyone. Are you trying to embarrass Mr. Stone?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I said, my voice faltering. “I just don’t want to escort…”
I stopped myself and bit my lip. Was I already a fading memory to Luther? Had the spark burned out so soon?
Men were so effortlessly cruel.
Seizing her moment, Adeline didn’t hesitate to twist the knife. Every word from her lips was calculated, meant to drive a wedge between Luther and me.
“You might not mean it like that, but that’s exactly what you’re doing. Quit being childish and stop putting pressure on Mr. Stone.”
“I…” It was obvious I was just a pawn in their game, yet Adeline somehow made me out to be the petty one–too blind to see the bigger picture.
As I stood there, I noticed the sly smile curling at the edge of her lips.
Adeline had never liked me, and now she seemed more determined than ever to push me out of Luther’s life.
We were both women. Why did she have to make things so hard?
Only then did I realize how foolish I’d been. I had spent so much time trying to prove I wasn’t like Adeline. She had willingly given herself to Luther, but I was the one he preferred. I was the one he insisted on keeping by his side.
But we were never meant to be the same. All I wanted now was to walk away.
“Fine then,” I said casually.
But just as I turned to leave, Luther’s voice stopped me cold, shattering my fragile pride.
“So, are you really going to abandon your family now?” he asked.
For a moment, I stood rooted to the spot as if my feet were suddenly weighed down by a thousand pounds.
He was right. I couldn’t ignore Ryan’s promotion or the mounting debt crushing my family.
Even Adeline noticed the hesitation in my eyes. With a sneer, she shoved the contract into my hands.
“Get going,” she said sharply. “Mr. Calder’s waiting.”
I caught my reflection in the window. I was clad in lavish clothes, every detail carefully picked out by Luther, right down to the lingerie beneath.
At that moment, I finally understood how Ryan must have felt when he handed me over to Luther. I was no more than a slab of meat on a butcher’s block, waiting to be carved up.
If it only involved Ryan’s career, I might have walked away without hesitation. But the burden of my family’s troubles still weighed heavily on me, and pride alone wasn’t enough to bear it.
As I stepped toward the Bentley, I felt my dignity quietly slip away.
Bennett’s driver opened the door without hesitation. As I eased into the seat, I glanced back at Luther, hoping for even a trace of pity. But all I saw was the window slowly sliding closed.
Meanwhile, Adeline shot me a smug smile before slipping into the car.
I knew I had no choice but to comply. I forced myself to maintain a calm exterior, burying the ache of Luther’s indifference and Adeline’s disdain beneath a carefully constructed mask.
As I settled into the seat, Bennett’s hand slid onto my thigh. I flinched away, turning to stare out the window instead.
He leaned in, resting his hands on my shoulders. His voice was soft and coaxing. “Ms. Miller, have you ever been to Stonelark?”
I shook my head and said, “No, I haven’t.”
“Great,” Bennett replied. “I’ve got some free time over the next few days. Let me show you around.”
He leaned in closer, breathing in the scent of my hair.
“You smell amazing,” he whispered, his voice low and rough.
A wave of disgust washed over me. I clamped my hand over my mouth, swallowing down the urge to vomit.
His smirk stretched wider as he savored my discomfort. Leaning in, he whispered sweet nothings that sent a flush of heat rushing to my cheeks.
I wanted to slap him right there and then. But I knew I couldn’t.
A cold dread settled over me, making every inch of my body tense. I gripped my fingers tightly in my lap as a sharp sting pricked my nose, tears threatening to break free.
Chapter 5
I sniffed, pushing the pain down.
Soon, the car pulled up outside the hotel. I trailed behind Bennett, and each step was weighed down by reluctance.
Though I walked through the lobby on my own feet, none of those steps were ones I wanted to take.
Unbeknownst to me, a sleek black sedan had been quietly trailing our car and now pulled up behind us at the hotel entrance.
Just as we reached the elevator, a soft, gentle voice called out from behind. “Bennett?”
He froze immediately, and I stopped beside him. Though I hadn’t seen the woman yet, her voice held the warmth and grace of a poised, elegant woman.
I glanced at Bennett and saw the sudden tightness in his expression. He leaned close and whispered, “Tell her you’re here to pick up a contract for Mr. Stone.”
Lunderstood without hesitation. The woman was his wife.
“Got it,” I replied.
With that, Bennett withdrew his hand from my waist and turned to face her, his whole demeanor changing in an instant. A tender smile spread across his face as he moved forward.
“What a surprise,” he said warmly.
As I had expected, Bennett’s wife was the picture of elegance and composure. Though time had added its traces, she still possessed an undeniable, captivating presence.
Mrs. Calder smiled warmly as she adjusted Bennett’s suit collar. “I came over with Mrs. Fairchild and the others for a little stroll… I didn’t expect to run into you two.”
That offhand “you two” instantly struck a chord, pulling me deeper into their circle.
Bennett quickly shifted to a professional tone and introduced me. “Diana, this is Sapphire Miller, Mr. Luther Stone’s assistant from Northstrike Air.”
I extended my hand and said, “Hello, Mrs. Calder. Mr. Stone had an urgent matter and asked me to deliver this contract to Mr. Calder. Please take a look.”
With that, I casually pulled the contract from my bag.
Bennett paused, clearly surprised by my sudden move. Though hesitant, he accepted the pen. After quickly signing the contract, he passed it back to me.
“Sapphire.” He continued with a knowing smile, “Mr. Stone truly has an eye for talent. He’s fortunate to have hired someone as capable as you.”
I tucked the contract away and responded, “You’re too kind, Mr. Calder. With such an elegant and poised lady by your side, it’s no surprise your business is thriving.”
At first, Diana barely glanced my way. I could feel the weight of her dismissive stare. But after I spoke, something in her shifted. Her eyes softened as if she was seeing me in a new light.
She nodded with approval. “You’re not just beautiful. You’ve got a silver tongue as well. Keep it up, and you’re destined for great things.”
I returned her nod. “Thank you for your kind words, Mrs. Calder. I truly appreciate them.”
I knew that if I didn’t speak up now, the opportunity would be gone for good.
Addressing them both, I said, “Mr. and Mrs. Calder, now that the contract is signed, I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll take my leave.”
Bennett’s eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn’t expected me to take the contract and leave so swiftly, but with Diana nearby, he had no choice but to let
me go.
He shot me a sharp glance. “Sapphire, when you see Mr. Stone, please give him my regards.”
“Certainly, Mr. Calder. I’ll make sure to pass it on. Goodbye, Mrs. Calder.”
Diana smiled. “Goodbye.”
I spun on my heel and walked away, wishing I had wings to carry me faster.
As soon as I stepped out of the lobby, I hurried down the stairs and hailed a taxi. Only after sinking into the backseat did the knot in my chest begin to
loosen.
I pulled the contract from my bag and checked Bennett’s signature, a quiet laugh bubbling up inside me.
The thought of Bennett getting caught red–handed by Diana was almost too good to be true.
Still, I had to admit. Without her, slipping away so seamlessly would have been impossible.
When I finally stepped into the hotel room and opened the door, Luther was sprawled on the couch, a cigarette resting between his fingers. His eyes locked onto mine–calm and indifferent.
“You’re done?” he asked.
I closed the door behind me, anger bubbling up inside me.
“Judging by your tone, Mr. Stone, I’d say you’re pretty disappointed.”
1 set the contract down on the table and said, “I’ve done what you asked, Mr. Stone Now, please go back to your room. I’m going to take a shower.”
Chapter 5
Luther stood slowly, closing the distance between us step by step. He tilted my chin up, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “You’re sharper than I expected. I definitely underestimated you.”
I shoved his hand away and rushed toward the bathroom.
Just as I reached to close the door, he slipped inside, and the ground seemed to vanish beneath me.
My eyes burned with frustration as I snapped, “I just gave myself to another man. Aren’t you disgusted?”
Without hesitation, Luther began undoing the buttons of his shirt. Silencing any protest, he cupped my face and pressed a kiss to my lips.
“I know you didn’t go upstairs with them,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “My car was parked outside.”
His words kindled a storm of anger and shame within me. I struck his chest, but his kiss only grew more intense.
Chapter t
