Raymond’s pov
I barged into the bathroom the mont I heard Ashley’s vicious voice echo through the hallway. The sound alone sent a chill down my spine, but nothing could have prepared for the scene before my eyes.
Lena was on the cold bathroom floor, struggling weakly as two n pinned her down. Her dress was torn in several places, her body trembling violently. Ashley straddled her, her face twisted in madness, a knife raised dangerously close to Lena’s face as if she ant to scar her for life.
My blood ran cold.
Rage exploded through my veins, turning my vision red. The mont they noticed my presence, the room froze. Ashley looked up, and the color drained from her face as though she had seen a ghost. The knife slipped from her trembling fingers and clattered loudly against the tiled floor. She scrambled away from Lena in fear, crawling backward.
The two n hesitated, confusion flashing across their faces as they tried to process what was happening.
Before I could move, Sylvia rushed in. The mont she took in the scene, her expression hardened with fury. She shoved Ashley aside without hesitation and dropped to her knees beside Lena. Checking her pulse and breathing, she let out a shaky breath when she confird Lena was still alive, though barely conscious.
Sylvia stood up abruptly and slapped Ashley hard across the face.
"You damned woman!" she shouted, her voice shaking with anger. "What has Lena ever done to you to deserve this?"
At that mont, Liam entered with Sullivan and several security n. The two n who had been holding Lena tried to flee, but the guards blocked every exit, forcing them to stand frozen with their heads lowered in sha and fear.
I gestured to Liam. "Take Sylvia out."
Without protest, she obeyed. Sylvia glanced at Lena one last ti before leaving, knowing my command was final.
My eyes returned to Lena. She lay helpless on the floor, drenched in either sweat or water—I couldn’t tell which. Her face was pale, her lashes wet with tears, her eyes unfocused and filled with sothing that terrified . Her body burned unnaturally hot beneath my touch, and her clothes were ripped and disheveled.Guilt stabbed my chest.I should have arrived sooner I told myself
People never learn until they are taught a lesson.
I removed my suit jacket and gently draped it over Lena before carefully lifting her into my arms. The mont I straightened, my gaze locked onto Ashley.
"You seem to have forgotten my warning," I said coldly. "I am very particular about what belongs to . No one touches my woman. No one bullies my woman, except . And you have crossed that line for the last ti."
"Mr. Black, please," Ashley cried, crawling toward . "I’m so sorry. Forgive . I promise I’ll never try this again."
How amusing, how quickly the tables turned i thought to myself
"I don’t forgive," I replied flatly. "You should know that by now. And I would very much like to see how you look with a disfigured face."
Her eyes widened in horror. Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor with a loud thud.
"No... no... no..." she sobbed. "Please, Mr Black. Don’t do this. I know I was wrong. I swear I’ll never trouble Lena again. Just give one last chance."
I looked at her indifferently.
"Too bad," I said. "I don’t give second chances."
I turned to Liam. "Have Roman disfigure her face. Then feed her the sa thing she fed Lena. After that, lock her in a room with five n. Let’s see how she fares."
My voice was calm, but it carried fire.
"And as for these n," I added, glancing at the trembling fools, "cut off the hands they used to touch my kitten."
Ashley scread and begged, clinging to my trousers, but I ignored her entirely. Lena was already burying her face into my chest, her body restless and burning.
"It’s so hot, Raymond," she sobbed weakly.
"I know, baby," I murmured, tightening my hold on her. "Hold on. We’re going ho."
I took the back exit to avoid curious eyes. Lena had arrived in a limousine, so I decided to use her car. Sullivan drove, and I imdiately closed the partition to protect Lena’s dignity because she was almost naked. Lena thrashed restlessly, kicking and tugging at her clothes, her breathing uneven.
"Help ," she pleaded. "I’m so hot."
"I know," I whispered. "Soon, baby. Just hold on."
I carefully loosened the upper part of her clothes and increased the air-conditioning, hoping the cool air would ease her discomfort. But it wasn’t enough. Her skin remained scorching beneath my touch.
Just how much did they give her?
When we finally arrived ho, I wrapped her tightly in my jacket and carried her inside. She barely had the strength to stand. I took her straight to the bathroom, filled the tub with warm water, and gently lowered her into it, hoping it would soothe the unnatural heat burning through her body.
It was a long, torturous night.
I knew exactly what she needed, but I refused to take advantage of her condition. I wanted her calm, conscious, and safe. I stayed with her, steadying her, cooling her down, whispering reassurances until her body finally relaxed and sleep claid her.
Only then did I step out to answer the call that had been ringing endlessly.
"Hello, Grandfather," I said tiredly, glancing at my watch. "Why are you calling at this hour? Can’t this wait till morning?"
"What have you been doing in York City?" he snapped angrily.
"It’s late," I replied. "We’ll talk tomorrow." I was really exhausted and now is not the ti to start talking about what I was doing in York city
"I want you back in Vegas City next week," he said sharply. "I don’t know who the woman you live with is , the one circulating online, I want you know that I will never accept her."
My eyes widened.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, my mind racing.
"I know you’ve been keeping a woman," he continued. "I didn’t interfere because what young man doesn’t a woman or two in his corner? But what I will not accept is you marrying her."
How did he know? I asked myself
"You have one week," he finished. "Co back and prepare for your wedding, or I hand the company to your brother."
The line went dead.
I returned to the room and sat beside Lena, watching her sleep peacefully, unaware of the storm gathering ahead. After a while, I stood up, left the house, and summoned Liam and Roman to the west wing.
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