Chapter 8 The Intrusion

The room was empty, with only the sound of running water coming from the closed bathroom door.

Verena tugged at the door, but it seemed locked from the outside, refusing to open no matter how hard she tried.

At the doorway, April wore a smirk, clearly reveling in Verena's predicament.

April swiftly unlocked the door and dashed off to find Eric in the basement.

"Eric, quit the kneeling already. Verena's up to something fishy. She..."

Eric's face twisted with disgust at the mention of Verena. "Is she done for?"

"No, she has sneaked into Darren's quarters. She is up to no good, no doubt."

"Damn it!" Eric jumped up, filled with rage, but his knees almost gave out from the long kneeling.

The sound of water stopped abruptly in the bathroom. Soon after, the door swung open, revealing Darren in just a towel around his waist, his upper body bare.

As she was fresh out of the shower, his wet hair dripped, and water trickled down his chiseled features, pooling at his collarbone. He exuded an irresistible allure.

With a strong physique and traces of last night's passion evident in the red marks on his back, Darren was a sight to behold. Below, there was a large shape covered in the towel. And Verena knew all too well about his size from their previous encounter!

"Oh... It's your room!" Verena realized, finally putting two and two together.

No wonder April had tricked her into entering the room and locked the door.

This wasn't Eric's room after all.

"What are you doing here?" Darren's voice turned icy, as cold as a winter's night.

"I thought you'd had your fill last night. Yet here you are again, trying to sneak into my bed right under the Briggs family's noses?" Darren's gaze held a hint of disgust.

In his eyes, Verena was intentionally seeking his favor to climb the social ladder.

"How could you even think that? Wouldn't it make more sense to suspect the Briggs family of setting me up?"

"Hmm. Your hand brushed against mine twice at dinner. And you claim it was accidental?"

Verena paused, trying to recall when she had touched Darren's hand.

"The door was locked from outside by April. I couldn't open it no matter what. Test it yourself if you doubt me."

With that, Verena reached for the doorknob, effortlessly opening the door that had been locked moments ago.

Darren regarded her coldly. "You're quite the actress!"

Verena felt at a loss for words.

Clearing her name seemed impossible now. "Forget it, I'm out of here."

But before she could leave, Darren's strong hand gripped her arm, pulling her back. He pressed Verena against the door, blocking her path.

"Think you can just waltz in and out as you please?"

Darren was dangerously close to her, his breath brushing against her skin.

He loomed large over her and as he spoke, Verena's eyes met his throat shifting up and down.

Gazing down, she noticed his toned chest; gazing up, she saw his seductive lips. With embarrassment, Verena's eyes darted about.

He loomed over her, making Verena feel small and insignificant. To an outsider, it could have seemed like they were embracing.

No matter how she explained, Darren wouldn't believe her. No one would, not even her own father. How could she expect him to?

Verena met Darren's gaze with a mixture of defiance and pleading. "What do you want, Darren? You're acting like this overbearing CEO and won't let me go. Do you still want me to stay but you're too shy to admit it aloud?"

Darren's eyes landed on Verena's lips. A little smile played at the corners of her lips as she spoke.

Her skin was not delicate and her face was quite unattractive. But there was something really alluring about those outstanding eyes.

Something about Verena smelled quite nice, not like perfume.

"Verena!" Darren's eyes flickered, his lips tightening. "You're courting trouble, Verena!"

"Being married to Eric is worse than death! If you're going to kill me, at least pick a decent spot to bury me. I want a better next life. I enjoy good food. And when you visit my grave, bring some. I don't want to be lonely."

Verena's self-deprecating tone irked Darren inexplicably.

He pursed his lips, but before he could respond, a knock interrupted them.

"Hey, Uncle Darren, can we chat?" Eric's voice came from outside.

Verena rolled her eyes inwardly, not surprised by the interruption. She knew April wouldn't drag her here without a plan.

"Uncle Darren, you still up? Or are you too chicken to open the door? I heard Verena's inside!" Eric's tone dripped with impatience, like he was ready to barge in.

He couldn't help but curse silently. Did Verena see how respectful the Briggs family was to Darren and decide to stir up trouble?

If she even thought about messing with him, he would have a fit!

With just a door between them, Eric was technically her fiancé, but here she was, with Darren, who was sporting only a towel.

Verena shot Darren a pleading look. "Help me out here. I don't want their little plot to succeed. And I assume you don't want to be dragged into this mess either, right?"

Darren's gaze remained cold, as if he couldn't care less.

Even though she was being set up, if word got out about her and Darren alone in a room, nobody would blame him, but she would be in hot water.

"Why should I stick my neck out for you?"

"If my old man catches wind of us, he'll strong-arm you into marrying me. And I bet you're not keen on that, right?" Verena countered, her tone laced with threat.

He bit back, "You're overthinking it. Even if they find out about us, it won't stop Eric from marrying you."

Verena was lost there.

He held all the cards.

She bit her lip, then raised her hand to Darren's neck, whispering, "Let them see us like this. And I'll tell everyone you're a two-pump chump who couldn't last three seconds!"

Eric thought he heard something from inside but brushed it off. If Verena escaped or hid, he would miss his chance to catch them in the act.

All the doors had passcodes, and Eric punched in the code.

"Uncle Darren, sorry for the intrusion."