Chapter 2 She's The Most Well-Behaved

"If they find out, I'm done for. You have the power to clear the footage. Please, I'm begging you..."

Iris shook uncontrollably, her fingers gripping tightly onto Vincent's sleeve as her voice cracked with sheer desperation.

Without a moment's hesitation, he peeled her fingers away, his face void of emotion, cold and detached. "I have a date tomorrow. I don't have time for this," he said.

Without another word, he turned and strode off. Helping her would have cost him nothing. But he wouldn't.

Iris stood motionless, her body growing colder by the second.

If the truth surfaced-if anyone found out that she and Vincent were the ones caught in that scandalous act at Caden's funeral-her life would be in shambles.

Bryanna would disown her. Her university would expel her. Without a degree, securing a respectable job would be impossible. Years of hard work would amount to nothing.

Making out with Vincent at Caden's funeral-no punishment could ever cleanse her of that disgrace. Her reputation would be in ruins.

What could she do then?

Iris sank to the floor, pressing a hand over her mouth as silent sobs wracked her body.

The next day, she avoided school, too terrified to set foot outside. All she could do was wait-dreading the inevitable moment when her world would collapse around her.

By early afternoon, Vincent returned home.

"How did your date with Elianna go?" Bryanna asked him with eager curiosity.

Vincent raised an eyebrow, a little amused. "We got along just fine."

Bryanna sighed in relief. "That's wonderful! I'll call Dolores right away."

As Vincent shrugged off his coat, his eyes drifted toward the entrance, where a pair of neatly placed shoes caught his attention. "Iris is home?"

Bryanna, already dialing, answered absentmindedly, "She said she wasn't feeling well, so she stayed in."

Vincent set his coat aside. "I'll check on her."

Bryanna paused for a moment before speaking. "Iris is an adult now. The two of you should keep some distance."

Standing at the base of the staircase, Vincent let out a low chuckle. "I practically watched her grow up."

Bryanna nodded in agreement, a pleased smile forming. "Iris has always been the most well-mannered-she'd never do anything inappropriate. Never mind. Go ahead."

Upstairs, in the bedroom.

"Period cramps?" Vincent's voice was low as he eyed the small figure curled beneath the pink blanket. Slipping a hand under the covers, he traced his fingers along her soft curves, moving downward.

"Please stop it!" Iris gasped, her breath hitching as she frantically seized his roaming hand.

Vincent gently swept away the loose strands of hair from her forehead. "You look sick."

Iris turned her face to the side, deliberately evading his touch.

He pulled her into his lap, his hand pressing against her abdomen in slow, deliberate motions. "They say having sex more often helps with the pain."

She shuddered slightly.

In that instant, everything became clear to her. He had never planned to let her go.

He hadn't overlooked the surveillance camera-he had deliberately let the footage surface. The moment Bryanna cast her out and the university expelled her, she would be left with nothing. No home. No future. And when that happened, she could never escape his control.

Tears rolled down Iris's cheeks as she struggled to speak through her sobs. "Please, I'm begging you... Just let me finish my studies."

Vincent slid beneath the covers beside her, his breath hot and heavy with desire. He wasn't paying attention.

His fingers suddenly stopped, and a slight crease formed between his brows. "You're not on your period."

Iris froze, shaking her head.

He let out a slow breath, amusement threading through his voice as his hand continued its deliberate, teasing descent. "You little liar."

Iris's mind spiraled into turmoil. She didn't dare resist. She didn't even dare to move.

His hands were practiced, unclasping her clothes with ease. One by one, the thin layers of fabric slipped away.

Under the blanket, his hands roamed freely. His breath grew heavier, the air between them thick with heat.

Iris curled inward, her face burning as she drowned in his scent.

Every place his fingers brushed felt like fire, her body betraying the last shreds of her resolve.

Under his relentless teasing, a sheen of sweat coated her skin.

The tension coiled between them, the fire of desire licking them up.

A sudden knock shattered the moment.

"Vincent, why is the door locked? I need to speak with you." Bryanna's voice rang from outside.

Iris bolted upright, scrambling for her clothes. But Vincent caught her wrist, yanking her back into the bed, wrapping the blanket tightly around her.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he stood and walked to the door.

By the time the door swung open, his expression had already returned to its usual composure. He turned to Bryanna with a smooth smile. "Is anything the matter?"

His face was void of any longing-no hint remained of the man who had surrendered to unrestrained desire just moments ago.

Bryanna wasted no time getting to the point. "The Lambert family claims they've secured the surveillance footage, but the distance makes it nearly useless. The images are too blurry to make out the faces of the shameless couple. You have a top-tier team-could you help enhance the resolution?"

Vincent casually straightened his cufflinks. "No problem."

Iris's chest tightened. Why didn't he refuse?

Bryanna exhaled in relief, then turned to Iris. "Iris, that day I saw you coming in through the back door. Did you happen to see anyone at the gazebo behind the funeral home?"

That day, it all happened so fast.

Inside the gazebo, their upper bodies remained fully dressed, but their lower halves were entwined so tightly. From afar, they appeared to be nothing more than two people sitting unusually close. In reality, they were lost in the height of their passion.

From afar, a figure stood at the back door of the funeral home, waving in their direction.

At the peak of intensity, they surrendered to their release.

And then-Maggie Warren had approached to greet Vincent.

Iris had barely yanked down her skirt in time, her face still flushed, her breath unsteady.

Jolted back to reality, she lifted her eyes, only to find that Vincent had already shifted his focus elsewhere. With his hands tucked into his pockets, he stood at the doorway. His suit remained pristine, not a single crease in sight.

No hint of the man who had just consumed her moments ago. As if she had been the only one who lost control.

Gathering her thoughts, Iris's eyes locked with Bryanna's, and a jolt of panic shot through her. She quickly shook her head, her voice unsteady. "N-no... I didn't see anyone."

Bryanna gave a satisfied nod. "Good. As a lady from a distinguished family, you shouldn't be exposed to-let alone witness-such shameful things."

Iris lowered her face, the weight of guilt settling heavily on her chest.

Bryanna shifted her focus to Vincent. "Can we expect results within a week?"

His reply was smooth, almost effortless. "Five days at the latest."

Iris's head snapped up in shock. What was he implying? Did he intend to let the truth come to light?

But it made sense. Once the scandal surfaced, everyone would assume she had thrown herself at him. After all, why would Vincent Stewart-a man with wealth, power, and status-ever lack female attention?

The tears in her eyes threatened to break free.

"The sooner, the better," Bryanna said, her voice edged with impatience. "I need to know which shameless woman had the audacity to do such a thing."

Women who used their beauty to manipulate men disgusted her.

She turned her attention to Iris, brows knitting together in disapproval. "Iris, Vincent is standing right here. Why are you still hiding under the covers? Get up."

Iris remained frozen in place. She couldn't move-not when she had nothing on beneath the blanket.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Bryanna stepped forward, pressing a hand to Iris's forehead. "You're burning up. And you're drenched in sweat."

Iris's heartbeat pounded so hard it rang in her ears.

This wasn't from a fever. This was Vincent's doing.

Vincent stood calmly, his posture unshaken, hands tucked neatly into his pockets. "She's on her period. Have the housekeeper bring her a heating pad and some hot drink."

Bryanna let out a frustrated sigh. "You should've told me instead of him. Men aren't supposed to be concerned about stuff like that."

Vincent's lips curled into a smirk. "It's okay. We're family."

Iris felt her composure slipping. He was enjoying this.

Bryanna withdrew her hand, letting out a light laugh. "It's good to see you two getting along. When Elianna joins the family, I hope you'll treat her just as well."

Vincent raised an eyebrow but said nothing. His silence spoke volumes.

Beneath the blanket, Iris gripped the sheets so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.

As Bryanna walked away with Vincent, she added, "Come, let's pick out a few gifts for Elianna. She should have something lovely the next time you see her."

For now, Iris had won a temporary reprieve. With only a week before the results were revealed, she had no choice but to return to school.

That day, Bryanna's call came. "Iris, come home. Now."

A deep sense of dread settled in Iris's chest. No matter how much she had wished for a different outcome, the moment she had been terrified of had finally come.