Chapter 14
Lizzy had given Beina the necklace the night before and had told her it meant a lot to Janice. With it, Reina could control Janice however she pleased.
But now, Malcolm was telling her to return it. How could she possibly accept that?
However, faced with his unyielding gaze, Reina kaew she had no choice. She suppressed her anger and reluctantly retrieved the necklace from her bag,
then handed it to Janice.
“Here”
Janice took it and carefully inspected it before putting it on. The cool touch against her skin felt as if her mother’s warmth still lingered
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes. She then turned and cast a frosty glance at Garrett and Reina
“I won’t forget about this.”
With those parting words, she strode out of the Ludwig residence without looking back.
When Janice arrived downstairs at her apartment complex, several tall figures suddenly emerged from the shadows under the dim light. Before she could react, they surrounded her
“Who are you? What do you want?
Alarmed, Janice stepped back, only for a rough hand to seize her arm and yank her toward an alley
“Ms. Ludwig, sorry about this. Someone hired us to teach you a lesson,” the leader said.
Janice recognized him. He was Chad Baker, the son of the Ludwig family’s butler, Ronald Baker. He had always seemed unassuming. Who would’ve thought he’d stoop to this?
“Was it Erina? Whatever she’s offering. I’ll double it!”
Janice struggled while trying to buy her way out of the situation.
“Save your breath.” Chad’s grip only tightened
Realizing she couldn’t talk her way out, Janice prepared to fight back.
Years ago, after a traumatic high school incident, she had taken up sell–defense classes. But no matter how skilled she was, it was hard to fend off multiple assailants.
Just as despair began to creep in, a shadow darted toward them. With a series of muffled thuds, the men around her were knocked to the ground, groaning in pain.
“Malcolm?” Janice gasped, her surprise quickly giving way to confusions
Why was be here?
Malcolm ignored her reaction and simply draped his coat over her shoulders. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” Janice shook her head, her paze lingering on his tightly drawn lips and stormy expression. A mix of emotions swirled within her.
“Be careful next time. You won’t always be this lucky,” Malcolm said curly, then turned to leave.
“Wait!” Janice grabbed his hand, startled by the chill of his fingertips. “My apartment isn’t sale anymore. Let me stay at your place for a few days.”
Malcolm jerked his hand away, and his rone was sharp with irritation. “Janice, don’t push your luck”
“You know exactly who’s behind this Janice raised her voice, her eyes tearing up. “Are you really going to leave me to lend for myself?”
Malcolm fell silent. He knew who was responsible. Besides Reina, no one would go to such lengths to harm Janice.
To Janice, his silence was an admission. She stepped closer until only a breath separated them. “What’s wrong, Mr. Gomez? Are you just going to stand by and watch?”
Her finger brushed lightly against his cheek Malcolm stiffened but didn’t pull away
Feeling the warmth beneath her touch, Janice let out a biter laugh inwardly, though her voice remained soft. “If you’d shown up a second later, I might’ve already been..”
She left the sentence unfinished, but the implication hung heavily between them.
Malcolm’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes glearning with something dangerous and primal.
Suddenly, he leaned in, his tall frame casting her in shadow. His breath was hot against her ear as he murmured, “You’re playing with fire.”
Janice’s heart pounded wildly, but she didn’t back down. Locking eyes with him, she replied in a sultry voice, “Then, are you going to put it out?
Her brazen challenge fanned the flames of Malcolm’s suppressed desires. His gaze darkened further, and without another word, he claimed her lips in a lience kiss.
Janice let out a muffled gasp, which only spurred him on. He didn’t stop until she was breathless.
Chapter 1
When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse, “Janice, what are you trying to do?”
Panting, Janice gazed at him, and satisfaction bloomed within her at how she’d made him lose control. Her fingers trailed lightly over his throat.
“Malcolm, Reina sent thugs to ambush me at my apartment. What’s next? Maybe she’ll come to my place herself to catch us in the act. Tell me, how should I entertain you both then?”
Her pointed emphasis on “catch us in the act” was filled with sarcasm and provocation.
Malcolm’s face turned gloomy. He knew she was deliberately pushing his buttons. He strode to the sleek black Maybach parked by the curb and opened the door.
“Get in,” he ordered coldly.
Janice didn’t hesitate to slip into the passenger seat.
The car sped through the city, finally stopping in front of an elegant villa
“What is this place?” Janice arched an eyebrow as she scanned the luxurious estate.
“My place,” Malcolm replied coolly, undoing his seatbelt and stepping out
Janice followed him inside, taking in the minimalist yet opulent interior. Her eyes were drawn to a white grand piano in the living room.
“You like it?” Malcolm asked when he noticed her lingering gaze
“It’s alright,” she said nonchalantly before heading upstairs.
Malcolm watched her with an unreadable expression.
On the second floor, Janice opened a door and found a warmly furnished guest roomL
“A guest room?” she asked, turning back to Malcolm with a playful smirk.
“What, you want the master bedroom?”
“Why not?” Janice shot back teasingly.
