Chapter 43

ScarlettPOV

I could clearly see the shock and disbelief in George's eyes.

This man who had once been perfect in my mind was now at a loss because of a few words from me.

A strange satisfaction welled up inside me. Three years ago, my heart would have raced at his slightest smile; now I could calmly discuss my intimate affairs with another man as if merely discussing the weather.

"I'm not looking to develop any romantic relationship with Alexander," I continued, my voice surprisingly calm. "It's merely the satisfaction of physical needs."

George's face turned pale, his knuckles white as he gripped the desk edge.

"This... this isn't like you, Scarlett. You've changed."

"Mr. Harber," I looked at the complex emotions on his face and couldn't help but find it amusing.

"I'm merely your employee, at most someone who had a crush on you for two years. I don't want you standing on some moral high ground judging my private life during work hours."

I spoke with a smile, maintaining an expression that suggested there was nothing shameful about my relationship with Alexander.

I could feel that this attitude hurt him more than any curse word could have.

George's face turned ashen, the hurt in his eyes almost overflowing. "Do you like him that much? So much that you don't care if he still has someone else in his heart?"

I couldn't help but blink in surprise.

Like him? Like Alexander?

The idea was absurd. If I could like someone just from sleeping with them a few times, I would be truly brainless.

"Mr. Harber, are you misunderstanding something?" I let out a breath heavy with derision. "

You don't think sleeping together a few times constitutes a relationship, do you? Or do you think I'm being kept by Alexander?"

I deliberately used crude language, watching George's expression shift from shock to confusion, and finally to deep disappointment.

"If you have nothing else, I'll get back to work," I stepped back. "Oh, and if I remember correctly, Alexander is engaged to your sister Lillian, isn't he?"

"Scarlett..." his voice suddenly softened.

"If you really want to manage someone, go manage Alexander. Don't bother me."

I left his office, deliberately closing the door with a bit more force than necessary.

Back at my desk, I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. I threw myself into work, and by the time I finished, night had fallen.

On the drive to Velvet Mirage, I kept wondering about Alexander's constant opposition to Richard—what was his true purpose?

The same arrogant doorman from before still stood at the entrance.

When his gaze fell on me, I remembered the humiliating moment of being barred outside last time. Just as I was about to speak, I noticed a hint of contempt curl at the corner of his mouth, his lips parting.

"Miss Smith, you're right on time." This voice was surprisingly calm, revealing a hint of respect.

A tall figure emerged from behind the doorman, standing before me and slightly bowing.

The doorman's movements froze instantly, his mouth still poised to speak, but his expression turned as sour as if he had swallowed a fly.

"Is he here?" I asked, my fingers unconsciously tightening around my purse strap until my knuckles turned white. I had prepared myself to face Alexander.

"Mr. Grey has other matters to attend to tonight," Noah replied, gesturing toward the entrance. "However, he left detailed instructions regarding your visit."

Hearing he wasn't there, I immediately felt relieved.

Although I had come specifically to see him, when I heard he wasn't present, I almost couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud.

"This way, please." Noah led me through the main area of the club toward the private elevator.

It was the same path as my last visit. Watching Noah's tall silhouette ahead of me, I wondered how important he was to Alexander.

"Do you know why I'm here?" I studied his calm expression, probing.

"Only enough to assist you, Miss Smith." Hearing this vague answer, I felt a bit disappointed, though I had known I wouldn't glean much information. He certainly kept his mouth shut.

With a beep, he stopped in front of a familiar door.

"This is Mr. Grey's private suite, please enter." He pushed open the door. "You may stay as long as you wish. No one will disturb you."

"You're not staying?" I asked in surprise, alarm bells ringing in my mind. My previous experience alone in this room had been far from pleasant.

"When Mr. Grey is not present, no one may enter here."

Noah handed me the key card, his eyes seeming to hold a hint of amusement. "When you're finished, please exit through the main entrance. The staff have been notified."

With that, Noah turned and left. I stared at the half-open door as if gazing into an abyss about to swallow me.

After a moment's hesitation, I took a deep breath, mustered my courage, and walked in.

Looking around the room, the items still exuded Alexander's distinctive aura, but without him physically present, the oppressive feeling was significantly diminished.

My attention was drawn to something on the coffee table—an envelope and a small glass bottle filled with white pills.

I slowly approached and picked up the envelope. It wasn't sealed. Inside were just a few pages.

Seeing the sharp handwriting was like seeing Alexander himself—each letter carried an aggressive quality.

I began reading line by line, with each sentence making my breathing more rapid.

Staring for too long, I felt my vision blur for a moment, then forcibly refocused on Alexander's handwriting, each word cutting across my nerves like a blade.

When I reached the final line, a violent wave of dizziness suddenly struck me, and I instinctively grabbed the edge of the table, barely managing not to collapse to the floor.

"God... no... impossible..." I murmured, my voice so hoarse it hardly sounded like my own.

I had been treated like an experiment by Richard. Those drugs that caused me such agony were ultimately designed for prostitutes.

A deep sense of humiliation and anger burned within me, my blood seemingly boiling!

I forcefully grabbed the pill bottle and carefully examined the white pills inside through tears. Alexander had written in his letter that these could alleviate symptom flare-ups.

While lost in thought, a sound caught my attention—faint noises from the adjacent room. Rhythmic creaking, interspersed with soft moans.

My face instantly burned, and a familiar heat involuntarily surged to my lower abdomen.

Damn it! I clenched my teeth, disgusted by my physiological response. Even this wasn't my own reaction but an aftereffect of those cursed drugs.

The sounds from next door grew louder, and an urgent impulse welled up inside me. I needed to leave this place!

I hastily stuffed the letter and pill bottle into my purse and practically rushed toward the door.

I yanked the door open, nearly colliding with someone in the hallway.

"Oh!" a female voice exclaimed.

Staggering backward, I steadied myself with a hand on the doorframe.

Looking up, I saw a beautiful woman with curly chestnut hair and striking deep red lipstick.

Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits the moment they fell on me, like a predator discovering an enemy.

"I'm sorry," she said in a voice sweet yet concealing a chill, "I didn't know Alexander had... guests."

That contemptuous way she spat out the word "guests" made me feel sick.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, but maintained an icy composure.

"He's not here," I stared directly into her eyes, my voice surprisingly calm.

The woman's perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched high, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

"But you're in his private suite? How interesting."

Each word was like a poison-coated dagger. This woman was clearly one of Alexander's many lovers, one who thought herself special.

Anger surged through me like a tidal wave. What did she think I was? Alexander's new fling? A toy at his beck and call?

"I was just leaving," my voice was cold enough to freeze water.

"Of course," she said with a fake smile, gracefully stepping aside. "Don't let me keep you."

The contempt in her words nearly made me slap her. I glared at her, but knew this confrontation was meaningless.

Standing straight-backed, I walked past her, deliberately ignoring her existence as if she were merely a decoration in the hallway.