Chapter 5 Elijah, I'm Not Worthy Of Your Attention

Ashley, in a disheveled state, glanced at Elijah. He stayed as distant as ever, his composure as unyielding as stone.

Her plan to lure him here had been effective. Without it, he would never have come.

"Mr. Warren! Meeting you is a real honor," said Andrew, his voice dripping with eagerness as he directed his flattery entirely at Elijah. Ashley, still on her knees, might as well have been invisible.

Daniel walked straight to Elijah, his demeanor turning fawning and ingratiating. "Elijah, what brings you here?"

"That's not your concern," Elijah retorted with a smirk, his sharp gaze narrowing. "And call me Mr. Warren." He then turned his attention to Ashley as if he had just seen her. In the next second, he looked away from her. "What have you done to Ashley?"

Ashley pushed herself to her feet. Though her knees ached, she quickly tidied her hair and adjusted her clothes.

Even with a slap mark on her face, her natural beauty shone through. The absence of makeup did nothing to dim it.

"Uncle Elijah, I just tripped and fell," she said, her voice steady despite everything.

"How careless of you," said Daniel, his concern clearly insincere.

Elijah's expression was unreadable as he spoke. "I'm not in the mood for drinks tonight. It's been a while since I've played cards."

Anthony, known for his reputation as a playboy, still retained an air of chivalry when it came to women.

The hostility toward Ashley was unmistakable, as if moments earlier Daniel and Andrew had all been united against her.

Anthony caught on to Elijah's subtle suggestion and raised his hand. "There are four of us. How about we play some cards?"

"It would be our pleasure," Daniel and Andrew chimed in at once, their eagerness showing.

The club manager swiftly set up the finest private room available.

Elijah took his seat, his eyes falling on Ashley with deliberate laziness. "You'll deal the cards," he said.

Daniel's tone turned sharp as he protested. "Mr. Warren, Ashley doesn't know the first thing about this. She'll ruin your mood if she messes it up."

His contempt for her was unmistakable. "Why don't I ask the manager to send in some attractive dealers instead?"

Ashley kept her voice calm as she replied, "I don't know much, but Daniel has already thought of everything."

Her tone played into the part she was expected to play-submissive and pliant.

Though her cheek still stung from the earlier slap, she stood beside Daniel, her smile unwavering and oddly radiant.

Anthony's attention shifted toward her, drawn by that unshaken smile.

Ashley, a part of the Kirk family, was known for her striking beauty in high society. Yet, life had dealt her a harsh hand.

Elijah's smile flickered.

The picture-perfect dream of marrying into wealth was nothing more than a fabrication.

Her words were hollow, filled with deceit.

"Don't make me say it again," Elijah said.

"Yes, Uncle Elijah," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

She knew Elijah wasn't someone who could be easily deceived. The fact that he was here meant he had started to see through her facade.

"You'd better not mess this up. Don't ruin Elijah's evening," Daniel said quietly, his tone laced with warning.

Without protest, she moved to the table and began dealing cards, her hands fumbling with the unfamiliar task.

As Daniel and Andrew took their places, they exchanged a glance. Both understood that Elijah and Anthony were men whose satisfaction needed to be ensured at all costs.

Elijah's focus seemed entirely on the game.

Ashley sat silently beside them, her mind still clouded by the unsettling events from earlier.

She tried to push away the thought of what might have unfolded if Elijah hadn't shown up when he did.

Even so, she had no idea what thoughts were circling in his mind.

The room was still, the only sound being the shuffle of cards. Then, Elijah's hand struck her thigh, the signet ring on his finger making a sharp sound as it connected with her skin.

The abrupt noise shattered the silence, turning all heads in the room toward her.

Her breath caught. Her wide eyes betrayed her shock.

Elijah's fingers grazed her leg, and his words came out slow and deliberate. "Wrong leg."

He withdrew his hand and let it rest casually on his own lap.

Anthony gave a low chuckle, his confusion plain. He couldn't understand what had gotten into Elijah.

Earlier, Elijah had accused a dancer of trying to seduce him at the bar, and now, this bizarre display.

Considering the distance between them, it was clear that Elijah's actions couldn't have been an accident.

Still, something about Ashley tugged at him, some faint memory or familiarity he couldn't quite place.

Daniel turned to her with a sharp glare. "Move your leg, Ashley. You're in Mr. Warren's way."

Her body stiffened as his words hit her. Her eyes flickered nervously. She shifted her leg to the side without hesitation, though her heart raced uncontrollably.

Elijah's presence was unnerving, and he didn't bother hiding his intent to intimidate her.

Did he already suspect that she had orchestrated his arrival?

His reputation for vindictiveness made it clear-this was his way of punishing her audacity.

"Deal the cards." Elijah spoke without looking at her, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ashley felt the weight of his command, as if she had already walked straight into his trap. She was the prey, and he, the hunter, had her exactly where he wanted her.

The game was high-stakes poker, and the tension only grew with every hand.

Andrew, clueless about the rules, was visibly unraveling. His sweat-drenched face and trembling hands betrayed his mounting losses.

"Elijah seems to be in a fantastic mood tonight. Don't even think about bowing out now," Anthony said, smirking at Andrew's misery.

Under the table, Elijah's long legs brushed against Ashley's once more.

This time, there was no noise, but she immediately stiffened. Her instinct was to move her legs away quietly, avoiding any attention.

Elijah's frustration was unmistakable as he slammed his cards onto the table. "Anthony, escort them out," he said coldly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

Ashley froze, her thoughts racing.

Was he angry with her?

"Not a problem," responded Anthony with a grin, patting the dazed Andrew on the shoulder before leading him away.

Feeling unsettled, Ashley followed Daniel, unsure of what was expected of her next.

Anthony, however, made sure Andrew wouldn't leave without consequences.

Andrew, almost losing all his money, was found later that night in an ambulance.

"Miss Kirk," came the voice of Julio Graham, Elijah's assistant. "Mr. Warren's guests on the second floor are requesting coffee. You're to make it for them."

Ashley's stomach churned.

The mere request felt like a punishment wrapped in politeness.

Daniel's eagerness to please Elijah was palpable as he nudged her forward. "Of course! Mr. Warren's asking you to make coffee. This is an honor. Don't mess it up."

His words lacked any concern for what she might endure, as long as he stayed in Elijah's good graces.

Following Julio's lead, Ashley walked into the lounge on the seventh floor.

The room was dimly lit, with neon lights casting eerie reflections on the massive windows.

Elijah stood by the glass, his tall figure framed against the glow of the city. His expression was impossible to read, but the air around him was heavy with unspoken intent.

"Uncle Elijah." Her voice was calm, but her mind raced. She could tell he wasn't done with her yet. Steeling herself, she slipped into the role she knew best-playing the part of innocence.

Elijah didn't bother turning around. He held the cigarette in the air, silently commanding her to light it.

Ashley spotted the lighter on the table and stepped forward to obey.

As the flame flickered to life, it illuminated Elijah's face briefly.

In that moment, she caught a glimpse of something dangerous in his eyes.

Before she could pull away, he grabbed her and pinned her against the cold glass window, his body pressing tightly against hers.

Her trembling began almost instantly, though she couldn't tell if it was from fear or the icy chill of the glass.

Her mind raced, but there was no way out. The panic in her chest swelled as she tilted her head to meet his gaze.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, her voice barely steady.

Elijah let out a low, dark laugh, his grip on her tightening. "You play the part so well. Was I interrupting you while you were having a threesome earlier?"

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Or are you looking for someone else to practice on now?"

Ashley's face twisted in fear. "I only came to accompany Daniel for business," she stammered, her words tumbling out quickly. "I didn't know you would be here. And I don't know what you're talking about."

"You set this up, didn't you?" His voice dropped, growing colder with every word. "How does it feel to have me under your control? Do you like it?"

As he leaned in closer, his hand began to roam over her body. His touch was calculated, as if testing her reaction to every move.

"I didn't," Ashley said, her words rushing out in desperation. The truth burned inside her, but admitting it was out of the question.

If she did, she knew he wouldn't hesitate to end her life right then and there.

Elijah, however, was far from satisfied. His hands moved with more force, leaving her humiliated and frozen in place.

She had no way to stop him.

Without warning, he lifted her leg slightly, his grip firm.

"Don't want it?" His voice carried a mocking edge.

Ashley's voice faltered as she said, "Elijah, I'm not worthy of your attention. You're far above someone like me. Besides, I already have a fiancé."

"But I'm interested," Elijah said, his tone unwavering as he pressed harder, leaving no room for her to escape.

"Mr. Warren." Julio's voice came from the other side of the door. "Mr. Blake has arrived. He's asking to see you."

Elijah looked down at Ashley, who was trembling uncontrollably in his hold. A satisfied smile spread across his face.

"Let him in," he said, his fingers twisting through her hair and gripping the back of her neck.

Instead of stepping back, he leaned in and kissed her with rough insistence.

Ashley's heart sank as dread washed over her.

This was how he chose to punish her.

At that moment, the door creaked open. Daniel stepped inside, his gaze freezing as he took in the scene before him.

He didn't miss a single detail.