Chapter 1 A Mysterious Man

Jemma Martin reached the fourth floor just as an intense wave of heat swept through her body, leaving her parched and unsteady. She was typically in excellent health, so this reaction wasn't the result of physical exertion.

A chilling thought crossed her mind... She might have been drugged.

With the elevator out of service, Jemma had prepared herself for the climb. Before starting, she'd taken a sip of water offered by her closest friend, Kaelyn Mason, who claimed it would "replenish her energy."

That water had been spiked.

As Jemma struggled against the discomfort and pressed on, a sudden force slammed her against the wall. A hand clamped over her mouth before she could scream.

A man loomed over her, his labored breaths brushing against her ear.

His grip was unyielding, leaving her gasping for air.

Panic surged within her as she struggled against him in the dimly lit stairwell. His features were hidden by the shadows.

Jemma whimpered, trying to pry his arm away, but her attempts were futile.

Her heart raced. She couldn't afford to die here. She had to meet the President and beg him to save her father.

Her father, the country's Minister of Finance, had always lived a life of integrity and simplicity. Yet, not long after the new president took office, Jemma's father was falsely accused of embezzlement. Despite his frail health, he was detained at the police station and would soon face court for a final verdict.

But her father was innocent.

Jemma had sought help from many people to clear her father's name, but all had turned her away. They said the case was personally overseen by the new president, with a complete chain of evidence and a confirmed charge. No one wanted to get involved in such a quagmire.

With no alternatives, Jemma pinned her hopes on the newly appointed president.

Kaelyn had informed her that the President would be at this hotel today, giving Jemma her only chance to meet him directly.

She couldn't waste more time dealing with the man holding her.

Unable to resist further, Jemma decided to take another approach.

She relaxed, letting her arms fall to her sides, and looked up, hoping he'd notice the sincerity in her eyes.

The man saw her bright, watery gaze, and perhaps sensing her harmlessness, slowly removed his hand from her mouth.

Jemma didn't dare speak right away.

Standing before this tall, sturdy man, she felt so small and powerless.

She waited for him to let her go entirely, but he stayed close, showing no intent to release her. His body radiated heat as he reached out to caress her face.

Jemma felt a strange change within her, and a soft moan escaped her lips. In the next moment, the man kissed her.

That kiss seemed to break some seal between them, sparking a fire.

The man's hands roamed freely over Jemma, sending shivers through her.

She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Their passionate intimacy was set ablaze.

She didn't know how long it lasted, but eventually, unable to bear her discomfort any longer, she bit the man's shoulder. He grunted, his body trembling, and she noticed his back was covered in blood.

"You... You are injured?" she asked, shocked by his strength despite his injury.

She recalled the solid muscles she'd felt earlier.

"Don't move. Let me bandage you," she offered.

Jemma scolded herself for not noticing the man's injury sooner, especially given the intimacy they had just shared-not once, but twice-in the stairwell. It was absurd.

The man, worn down by the drug and his wound, didn't resist as she tended to him.

She adjusted her clothes first, then helped him lean against the wall. She tore his shirt sleeves off to fashion a makeshift bandage for his wound.

"You should go to a hospital," she said.

Jemma pulled out her phone to call for help but saw several missed calls from Kaelyn and her stepmother.

Startled, she remembered setting her phone to silent to avoid interruptions while seeking the President.

So many missed calls could only mean something urgent.

Just as she was about to call back, her stepmother called her again.

"Your father had an incident at the police station," she said.

Jemma's face paled. She couldn't afford to delay further and prepared to leave immediately.

Suddenly, the man grabbed her wrist, his voice low. "Your name?"

Before Jemma could answer, a scream from the phone interrupted her. She pulled free from the man's grasp and rushed downstairs.

Halfway, Kaelyn called her again. "Where are you, Jemma? Why haven't you come to Room 1001? Everyone's losing patience."

Jemma stopped briefly, her tone cold. "Sorry, Kaelyn, I can't come now. I have urgent family matters."

Kaelyn, still in the hotel lobby, watched as Jemma hurried away. She frowned as she noticed Jemma showed no signs of being drugged.