Chapter 118

Scarlett’s POV

Seeing people all around us, I felt somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm fine," I responded softly, suddenly realizing that our interactions always seemed to revolve around sex.

But at this moment, there was a strange purity between us, a connection unrelated to physical intimacy. This feeling was both unfamiliar and unsettling.

"Really?" Alexander's lips curved into a subtle smile as he casually draped his arm across the back of the sofa behind me.

Though this gesture seemed ordinary to me, in the minutes that followed, I noticed how the gazes of those around us deliberately kept drifting in our direction.

I suddenly felt as if his arm behind me was a spotlight, not only attracting everyone's attention but also making me acutely uncomfortable.

Glancing toward the group playing cards, I asked, "Alexander, why don't you join them?" I hoped to direct him away so others wouldn't suspect anything about our relationship.

"What's the point of spending time with a bunch of men? I'd rather be with you," he replied calmly, his tone casual, but his eyes remained fixed on me with intensity. I found myself momentarily lost in his gaze.

"Am I that captivating?" Alexander smiled, reaching toward my face.

Instantly awakened from my trance, I instinctively pulled back, but Alexander caught hold of the pearl necklace around my neck.

"I've never seen you wear this before," he remarked.

The shyness I'd felt vanished immediately as I protectively clutched at my neck. "It's a keepsake from my mother."

"A keepsake? Isn't Mrs. Smith still alive?" he deliberately feigned ignorance.

Alexander knew perfectly well my mother's name was "Chloe."

"Why must you tease me like this?" I lowered my head, my fingers twisting together nervously.

Years ago, when Chloe and I escaped from Obsidian Palace, we had only two valuable possessions: a gemstone that the Smith family eventually sold, and this pearl necklace now around my neck. It was the only thing Chloe had left me.

"It's beautiful," Alexander said with genuine appreciation, gently tugging on the necklace despite my resistance.

Afraid he might break it, I had no choice but to move closer to him.

Alexander whispered in my ear, "I still haven't received my birthday gift."

My face grew hot. Would this topic never end? Hadn't I already promised to make it up to him? Besides, earlier today in the car, we had... wasn't that enough?

"The necklace is nice... do I need to be more direct?" he murmured.

I looked at him with confusion. Alexander was interested in my necklace? What man would want a pearl necklace?

Making sure I hadn't misheard, I looked directly into his eyes. Alexander's gaze was deep and steady, without a hint of humor. It seemed he wouldn't rest until he got his birthday gift.

Why had he set his sights on this particular item? It was the last thing Chloe had left me. Although valuable, this pearl necklace wasn't particularly rare, or it wouldn't have ended up in my possession.

After a brief standoff, my fingers finally relaxed, and I reluctantly removed the necklace and placed it around Alexander's neck.

The gathering continued late into the night. Edwin and the others wanted to move elsewhere to continue their entertainment, but beside me, Alexander yawned dramatically.

Standing up with his arm around my waist, he announced, "You guys continue. I'm tired."

"Alright, Alex, we'll catch up next time," someone replied.

When that person noticed the necklace around Alexander's neck, their expression immediately turned playful. I stood to the side, feeling somehow embarrassed.

After everyone had left, Alexander simply tossed the car keys to me.

"Drive carefully on your way back," he instructed.

I caught the keys and nodded. After walking a few steps, I couldn't help turning back to look at him, but he had already gotten into another car and left.

A strange melancholy suddenly washed over my entire body.

I touched my now-empty neck and managed a bitter smile.

Wake up, Scarlett. Did you really think you and Alexander could have a romantic relationship? Even without all the external factors, I probably wasn't that important to Alexander anyway.

I started the car and returned to the Gray family mansion.

As soon as I parked, I spotted Tom emerging from the shadows. My heart sank, but I forced myself to appear calm as I stepped out of the car.

"Miss Smith, the head of the family wishes to see you. This way, please."

Caught red-handed, I couldn't think of any way to escape. Even if I ran now, it would only be delaying the inevitable. But what about my mission? What about Yvette?

From the night I became involved with Alexander, I had prepared myself for the possibility of dying at Richard's hands. I had always sensed that being discovered was just a matter of time.

With fearful steps, I arrived outside Richard's room. My hand trembled uncontrollably as I pushed the door open to find Richard standing there like a judge from hell.

"Mr. Gray!" I stood respectfully before him, eyes lowered demurely. I hoped appearing submissive might lessen my punishment.

"Come here!" Richard suddenly shouted, startling me enough to make me tremble all over.

Despite my fear, I forced myself to walk toward him.

He quickly grabbed a whip from beside the bed and lashed it viciously across my shoulder. A burst of excruciating pain exploded at my shoulder, blood slowly trickling down my arm.

"Where were you so late? And driving Alexander's car? What exactly is going on between you two?" His voice carried a fury I had never witnessed before.

"I..." My lips moved, but the intense pain made it difficult to produce any sound.

Yet his words gave me a flicker of hope. Was Richard certain about my relationship with Alexander, or was he merely suspicious?

"Shameless woman! I already gave you one chance, yet you continue to behave so disgracefully!" With another lash of the whip, Richard grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the wall.

The moment my head hit the wall, blood obscured my vision. But Richard didn't stop, clearly not having fully vented his rage.

After several more violent collisions, my vision darkened and my ears rang continuously.

Am I dying?

But dying like this would be such a waste... I had so many things left undone. I hadn't found Yvette yet, hadn't burned down that vile place, Obsidian Palace.

I still hadn't killed that person!

But my entire body was in such excruciating pain, I couldn't muster any strength.

Words of explanation were on the tip of my tongue, but in his current state, Richard wouldn't believe anything I said.

He seemed determined to expel all his anger, and my consciousness was growing increasingly foggy.

Just as I thought Richard would surely kill me this time, Tom's mocking voice came from outside the door.

"Mr. Gray, we can keep her alive. Even if we can't use her to threaten Alexander, at least we can make him uncomfortable, can't we?"

Richard finally stopped, his panting breath audible near my ear:"Go, hang her up."