Chapter 5

Just when I was about to break down, the elevator doors opened. We'd reached the top floor.

James finally straightened up, and that suffocating pressure eased a bit.

But he didn't let go of me. He grabbed my wrist directly and forcefully pulled me out of the elevator.

This floor was his private space. Beneath our feet was thick shag carpet, famous paintings hung on the walls, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive cologne.

He kicked open the large door and threw me straight into the ridiculously huge suite.

I stumbled a few steps and barely managed to steady myself by grabbing onto the sofa.

James tugged at his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing his collarbone.

His expression regained some laziness, but that dangerous air hadn't decreased one bit.

I looked at him, took a deep breath, and forced myself to calm down.

"Fine, I can stay." I straightened my spine and met his gaze without backing down. "But before that, I need to confirm that Michael has left safely."

James turned around and poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the crystal glass.

He picked up the glass and looked at me through the refracted liquid.

"You're negotiating with me?"

"It's part of the deal." I stood my ground. "If I can't see that Michael is safe, if something happens to Mary, then there's no point in my staying here. When that happens, all you'll have is a corpse."

I used all my strength to say this, not letting myself show even a trace of fear.

For Mary, I could give up everything, including my life.

James stared at me for a while, then suddenly smiled.

"Very good." He took a sip of his drink and set down the glass.

"I just love this side of you—willing to risk your life to protect others. Really brave."

He picked up the intercom phone on the table and pressed a number.

"Send Michael to the hospital. Don't let him die on the way."

With just a few simple words, he decided Michael's fate.

After hanging up, he tossed his personal phone onto the sofa.

"Call."

With trembling hands, I grabbed the phone that still carried his body heat and dialed the number I knew by heart.

"Hello?"

It was Mary's voice.

"Mary, it's me, Ella."

"Ella."

Mary seemed a bit surprised and a bit worried.

"Why did you change your number? Where are you this late?"

"Has Michael come back?"

I took a deep breath, trying to make my voice sound calm.

"Michael is fine. He's on his way to the hospital now. He's just got a minor injury."

"Really?" Mary's voice was tearful. "That's great, that's great."

"Mary, listen to me."

I glanced at James, who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window with his back to me, smoking.

"I've already arranged the best medical team for you."

Since he was keeping me here, I might as well use his resources.

"Next week, we can schedule the surgery next week."

"Don't worry about the money either. I've taken on a really big project."

"Once I finish this project, we won't have to worry about our living expenses anymore."

"Really? Ella, you're working so hard." Mary said thoughtfully on the other end.

"I'm not working hard."

I looked at James's tall, strong figure.

"As long as you're okay, I'm willing to do anything."

The moment I hung up, I collapsed onto the sofa, the phone sliding to the floor.

A pair of black leather shoes appeared in my line of sight.

I looked up along those long legs.

James had turned around at some point and was looking down at me.

The cigarette in his hand had just been lit, white smoke curling around his handsome face.

"Done?" he asked.

I nodded, looking at him with complicated eyes. "Thank you."

I meant it.

Whatever his motives were, at least he really did let Michael go, and he really did have the ability to save Mary.

"Save the verbal thanks."

James bent down, hands on the armrests, trapping me between him and the sofa.

"Ms. Thorne."

Then I was pulled into his arms.

I felt James's body temperature through the thin fabric of his shirt—it was frighteningly high.

He carried the smell of blood and tobacco, instantly enveloping me completely.

I instinctively tried to break free.

"Let me go."

"Don't move. Now it's time for me to enjoy my prize."

He whispered in my ear, his arms locked tightly around my waist, holding me firmly against him.

He forcefully grabbed my shoulder and yanked the strap. It loosened, and the dress slid smoothly down, my naked body suddenly exposed.

I just felt a chill on my body. Looking down, I saw myself completely bare. My head buzzed, and I frantically covered my chest.

James couldn't help but lock his gaze firmly on me.

Under James's stare, I was both angry and embarrassed. I quickly crouched down to pull up the dress, awkwardly holding it with one hand.

The next second, I was swept up in his arms. The sudden weightlessness made me cry out, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around James's neck.

I had thought he was someone with high social status who would maintain grace and dignity even when making threats.

But I was wrong. He was just an unreasonable madman.

I struggled desperately in his arms, but was held firmly by those powerful arms, then thrown onto the luxurious bed.

His gaze was heavy. Ignoring my resistance, he leaned down and pressed his hand on my full chest, saying in a hoarse voice, "Be good."

I struggled violently, my nails scratching several red marks on the back of his hand.

"I have a boyfriend! I love him! I won't do this!"

"If you dare touch me, I'll—"

"You'll what?"

James easily restrained both my hands, pinning them behind my back.

He wasn't angry. In fact, he found it somewhat amusing.

"Think carefully, Ella."

"If I'm not happy, that girl in the hospital? I could yank out her oxygen tube anytime."

"And that waste Michael, who just got out of danger—I don't mind sending him back in."