Chapter 117

Scarlett’s POV

"It's all yours," I whispered, carefully observing his reaction. "Everything I have belongs to you."

His large hand caressed my hair. "Suddenly not afraid of being discovered? We're right next to Richard, you know."

I straightened up, looking directly into his eyes.

"With you here, you'll protect me, won't you?"

I had just sacrificed so much to please him, all for this moment. I needed his protection.

"Just for that?" Alexander chuckled, his thumb brushing across my swollen lips. "Though I must say, your mouth is more talented than I imagined."

"Alex..." The heat rose uncontrollably to my face. I never thought I'd go this far for a man.

Watching his pleased expression, I remembered the ring I'd purchased earlier.

"Did you see a small box in your car today?"

He raised one eyebrow. "So that's it. Suddenly so compliant, willing to use your mouth..." His eyes narrowed.

"So you did have ulterior motives after all."

"No, that's not—" I stopped, at a loss for words.

What could I say? I did have ulterior motives, but not to get the ring back. I just wanted his protection.

He extended his palm.

"So, where's my gift?"

My heart sank as his earlier words echoed in my mind—'Give me a child.'

That was impossible.

"I didn't know it was your birthday, Alex. Next time I'll—"

My throat felt constricted. Next time? Who knew if I'd even be alive for his next birthday?

"You'll what?" he asked, but his phone rang before he could continue.

He answered casually. Edwin's voice came through the speaker: "Alex, it's your birthday! We've got everything set up. Coming over?"

Alexander's finger traced my eye corner, wiping away moisture. "Want to go play?"

I hesitated, Richard had explicitly warned me not to go out without permission.

Richard's control was tightening, and his warnings weren't empty threats.

"Alex?" Edwin prompted after the silence stretched.

"I'm coming. Give me a minute." He hung up and rose to change clothes.

As he dressed, cigarette dangling from his lips, he casually warned me: "Next time you feed me cum, I'll kill you."

I licked my lips reflexively.

Fully dressed, he tossed me his car keys. "See you there."

Watching him leave, I bit my lip hard.

This bastard was impossible to understand.

He didn't care about my wellbeing at all—he probably hoped Richard would finish me off.

Gripping the keys tightly, I forced myself to go downstairs.

Thirty minutes later, I crept toward the parking lot.

Just as I slipped into the car, Alexander's voice suddenly rang out.

"Uncle!"

I froze instantly, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest.

Alexander burst into laughter. "With nerves like that, you dare have an affair with me? In some families, they'd execute women like you."

I realized he was just toying with me. Seeing the smile at the corner of his mouth, I couldn't help but curse him silently.

Then I quickly climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine, and accelerated away.

We soon arrived at Velvet Mirage. I had expected Edwin's "setup" to be filled with alcohol and women, but when the private room door opened...

The wall displayed an enormous photo of Alexander. An elaborate multi-tiered cake stood in the center, with balloons and streamers covering every surface.

I couldn't help imagining Alexander standing before the cake, hands clasped, making a birthday wish.

It seemed so incongruous.

"Stop whatever you're thinking," Alexander commanded.

His arm wrapped assertively around my waist as he strode in.

Edwin approached, placing a party hat on Alexander's head.

"Fuck off. Neon pink?" Alexander immediately kicked Edwin's backside.

Edwin dodged skillfully. "You're late—neon pink was all we had left!"

His gaze fell on me, clearly surprised.

To avoid misunderstandings, Edwin greeted me with, "Miss Smith."

Alexander laughed. "You've gotten smarter this time."

Others might not understand, but Edwin did, and so did I.

He hadn't foolishly exposed my relationship with Alexander, nor mentioned that I was Richard's fiancée.

With Alexander, I could only be Miss Smith, I thought bitterly.

"Come on, sit down. We've been waiting for you forever," Edwin said, pulling Alexander toward the table.

Throughout the evening, Alexander showed little enthusiasm, though he played cards when Edwin insisted.

I sat in the corner, bored, texting Camila.

[Camila, can you tell me more about Acacia?]

[Why ask me when you've already met the Ortiz heir?]

My fingers paused. Camila appeared reclusive and disinterested in worldly affairs, yet she knew so much about what was happening around me.

A chill crept up my spine. Had she been monitoring my activities?

More importantly, could I trust our partnership?

I put my phone away, unwilling to continue this tedious cat-and-mouse game with Camila.

I reached for a glass of wine, but Alexander intercepted it midway.

He leaned close. "You were injured last time by me, weren't you taking medicine? Should you be drinking?"

I suddenly remembered Violet's warning that besides abstaining from sex for the next few days, I should also maintain a bland diet and avoid alcohol and tobacco.

Alexander's fingers traced my wrist, his voice deepening: "Later, I'll give you another... examination."

His fingers were like flames, burning everywhere they touched, threatening to incinerate my self-control.

I clutched my dress tightly, seeing the desire in his eyes that filled me with both fear and an inexplicable anticipation.