Chapter 2 Be My Lover

In a panic, Irene's eyes darted from the man to her phone. She longed to confront Cade about his actions. But the call had already ended, leaving her with only the automated message stating his number was unreachable. Cade had blocked her.

Suddenly, Irene felt moisture on her face. She touched her face, only to realize tears were streaming down her cheeks. The startling realization slowly sank in for her. For heaven's sake, she had been intimate with a stranger!

Suddenly, the man said, "I didn't realize it was your first time. I might have been too harsh."

Irene's complexion turned ashen. She bowed her head, unable to confront the bitter truth.

Without warning, she found herself being lifted and gently placed back onto the bed. The linens retained marks from the night before, sending a wave of shame through her that turned her stomach.

The man let out a laugh and tossed a box in front of her. Inside were birth control pills.

Irene felt mortified. The situation was unfolding contrary to her expectations. Instead of sharing intimate moments with her husband, she spent a passionate night with a stranger and received pills from him.

Irene's hands shook as she reached for the box.

"I wouldn't mind if you were to have my child, but..." The man grasped her chin, forcing her eyes to his. "Considering everything, it's wiser for you to take these."

Surprisingly, Irene detected a hint of tenderness in his tone. Consoled by the stranger she had been with, she felt an ironic twist of self-derision.

"I'll take them," Irene uttered in a raspy voice. "This was a mistake. I thought I was with my husband..."

"I assumed you did it deliberately, given how bold you were," the man said, folding his arms and watching her casually.

"I had no clue. My husband gave me the room key," Irene confessed, closing her eyes and pressing her nails into her palms, feeling a throbbing pain.

An eyebrow arched and a smile spread across the man's face. "You made a poor choice in selecting your partner. Your husband sent you to my bed for some advantage."

Irene immediately picked up on the sarcasm in his voice. She inhaled sharply. "This is none of your business!"

He settled into a chair leisurely across from her. "Given our recent encounter, if you're facing troubles, I might be able to assist."

Only then did Irene raise her eyes to his, taking in the precise symmetry of his features-his prominent nose, sleek jawline, and the slight curl of his lips. Even behind glasses, his eyes sparkled with allure.

This man's looks easily outshone Cade's. Just standing there, he would be the center of attention.

Yet, to Irene, this man was nothing but a captivating scoundrel.

Irene quickly looked away. She was well acquainted with stories of men pursuing personal gain, even if it meant sending their wives or daughters to other men's beds, but she had never seen such behavior firsthand. Today she was living it. Cade's despicable act of sending her to this man's bed spoke volumes-this man wielded considerable influence and power.

A chill ran through Irene. She avoided his gaze, fearing he might read her thoughts. She wavered for a moment. If Cade was unwilling to assist her with her family's plight, perhaps this man might...

Driven by this notion, Irene found herself asking, "How exactly can you assist me?"

The man's eyebrow arched as he gently caressed her cheek, saying, "For instance, I can get rid of your husband for you. Additionally, I'm prepared to assist you further, though those services would come at a price. How about you become my lover?"

As he proposed, his grip suddenly tightened around her neck, as though threatening her life if she declined.

Irene fought to remove his grip, struggling for breath. What a lunatic! "I doubt you're short on female company. Moreover, I'm married. Look elsewhere."

"I find you particularly captivating," he retorted. His eyes roved over her features as he extended a business card. "Consider it."

Irene shot him a fierce look. "I am not that sort of woman!"

"It doesn't matter to me what sort you are. I'm merely making a genuine proposition. Instead of being exploited by your undeserving husband, why not entertain my proposal?" He leaned back, tilting his head slightly. "You stand to gain far more with me than with him."

Irene seethed with anger.

"Furthermore, he's never shared your bed. Don't you think he might be seeing someone else?" Observing that Irene hadn't accepted the card, the man smirked derisively. "Take your time to decide. I can wait for you."

Irene reluctantly picked up the card, reading the name Braydon Scott. The recognition clicked. He was the heir to the influential Scott family of Oglario.

Oglario, a hub for political and business elites, boasted the Scott family as one of its premier dynasties. Braydon was their prodigy.

The Scotts were connected to both the upper level and the underworld. Though they claimed to be upright businessmen, their involvement in dubious activities was an open secret.

Irene realized she had entangled herself with a truly powerful figure.