Chapter 4
Emily reacted almost instinctively, her face filled with terror as she tried to push the man away.
In her haste, her stiletto heel twisted, and she nearly fell headfirst.
A hand reached out, wrapping around her waist and pulling her back.
Emily's face pressed against the man's warm chest again, and she felt the vibrations of his voice as a familiar male voice came from above her.
"What are you doing, acting like you've seen a ghost?"
"Raymond?" Emily looked up, indeed looking as if she'd seen a ghost.
What was he doing here?
Hadn't he had a falling out with James that night?
Then again, it made sense. He and James had been friends since childhood. How could they fall out over her?
What did she matter anyway?
Raymond glanced at her, then at James, who was holding his new girlfriend with a sullen expression. His eyes turned slightly cold.
"Here to see him?"
Emily shook her head. "No, I was just passing by..."
Before she could finish, there was a sudden banging on the door. "Emily, come out. I know you're in there."
Raymond could clearly feel Emily trembling with fear in his arms.
He squinted at the door and reached out to open it.
"No!" Emily instinctively grabbed his wrist, her eyes pleading.
Raymond brushed her hand away and opened the door anyway.
Emily closed her eyes in despair.
The door opened just a crack, revealing Raymond's cold, displeased face.
Lawrence, who had been banging on the door, froze, then looked terrified. "Mr. Carter?"
"What's the matter?" Raymond's voice was icy, carrying a subtle threat.
Lawrence shook his head frantically. "N-nothing, I-I must have the wrong room! Sorry, Mr. Carter, I'll leave right away!"
With that, he turned and ran without looking back.
Inside, as the sound of Lawrence's retreating footsteps faded, Emily breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Raymond.
But Raymond walked right past her without a glance.
"You can leave now." His tone was so indifferent it was as if they were strangers.
Emily's gaze faltered, then she smiled knowingly.
She knew that to people like him, she was just a tool.
Maybe not even that.
She hadn't contacted him or sought him out these past few days, guessing that what he said that night was just a joke.
She didn't dare take it seriously, hoping he would give her more confirmation.
But in the end, she realized she had overthought it.
Words spoken in bed by men like Raymond were never to be trusted.
Especially someone like Raymond, who had no shortage of women around him, many more beautiful and desirable than her. Why would he remember her?
Emily's self-deprecating smile tugged at her lips as she turned to leave.
Outside, Lawrence was nowhere to be seen. Emily walked to the window, intending to cool off in the breeze.
There was a small platform outside the window. Emily stepped onto it and stood at the edge.
One more step, and she could fall.
It was only the second floor, so even if she fell, she wouldn't die.
But Emily had no intention of committing suicide. She just stood there, lifting her foot experimentally, looking as if she might jump.
Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed, and she was yanked back, thrown against the wall.
Her shoulder hit the hard wall, and the pain made Emily wince.
"What, seeing him with a new girlfriend makes you want to die? Too bad even if you jump from here, you won't die."
The scent of tobacco and cool mint filled her nose. Emily looked up in a daze, meeting Raymond's cold, indifferent eyes.
Emily was stunned. "Why are you here?"
Wasn't he supposed to be at a gathering with James and their friends? How did he end up here?
"What, disappointed to see me?"
Emily shook her head, wanting to say something, but Lawrence's voice came from outside.
"Ms. Johnson? Stop hiding. I saw you go onto the platform. If you don't come out, I'll come up and get you!"
The sleazy, lewd voice made Emily very scared, and she instinctively hid in Raymond's arms.
She hadn't expected that after being scared off by Raymond, Lawrence hadn't gone far and was still lurking nearby.
Seeing her come out, he had followed immediately.
Just moments ago, she had been pushing Raymond away like she had seen a ghost, and now she was throwing herself into his arms?
Raymond raised an eyebrow at the sight of Emily, who looked like a frightened rabbit.
Emily had been sold to the Phillips family as a tool for an arranged marriage. The Phillips family had been desperately trying to use her looks to climb the social ladder, and it had become a joke among their circle.
Seeing it firsthand was a first for him.
But knowing was one thing, helping was another.
Emily saw the look of amusement in his eyes and felt a chill in her heart. She knew that if she didn't ask for help, he wouldn't lift a finger.
And even if she did ask, he might not help.
But she had no other options. Raymond was her only way out.
Emily bit her lip, humbling herself as she pleaded, "Please, can you help me get rid of the man outside?"
Her tone was almost pitiful, and the humiliation made her clench her fists.
"Now you remember me when you need help? What, do I look like I have a kind face?"
Emily was taken aback, turning his words over in her mind and understanding the implication.
Was he hinting that he was angry because she hadn't contacted him these past few days?
Why?
Wouldn't he prefer a girl who knew her place and didn't bother him?
"I thought you preferred girls who knew their place and when to advance or retreat."
Emily's eyes were filled with guilt and confusion. One hand clutched the hem of his shirt, while the other climbed up his chest, her fingers brushing his nipple and lightly scratching it.
She felt Raymond's body stiffen, his breath catching for a moment.
Raymond's eyes were filled with naked desire. Remembering how he had been desperate for her that night, Emily thought he must like her body.
If that was the case, she knew how to get him to help.
Emily stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
The moment their lips touched, she felt his hand tighten around her waist.
Emily's eyes sparkled with triumph, her lips curling into a smile.
It seemed she had bet right!
Emily's kissing skills were far from good, feeling more like she was nibbling.
But her lips were soft, her waist slender and supple, and her neck long and inviting.
When she tilted her head back, it formed an almost seductive curve.
Raymond's breathing grew heavy, and he grabbed her waist, lifting her to sit on the railing.
Raymond was tall, and with Emily sitting on the railing, her legs could wrap around his waist.
She spread her legs, pressing her body against his, feeling his hot, iron-hard cock against her. Emily let out a sultry laugh.
"Who would have thought, the famously ascetic Mr. Carter is actually so..."
Before she could finish, Raymond silenced her with a kiss.
One hand gripped her waist, while the other slipped under her skirt.
"You really can't stand being alone, can you?"