Chapter 5 Pressuring Her To Move Out

Iris sprang up from the couch, startled.

"I'm sorry, Bryanna," she murmured, her head down, her eyes filling with tears. "I'll leave right away."

If the scandal came to light, she'd rather walk away willingly than face being kicked out in humiliation.

"Wait!" Vincent's deep voice broke through the tension as he raised his head. "Bryanna, what's got you so upset?"

Bryanna said firmly, "You and Iris met at Caden's funeral, and she intentionally hid it from me."

Iris blinked, gawking at her. Was that all?

Vincent chuckled. "My mistake. I told her not to say anything."

Bryanna's frown deepened. "Why would you do that?"

Vincent reclined casually. "She was at the gazebo, and I just happened to walk by. After a few years, I hardly recognized her-It was so embarrassing, so I asked her to keep it quiet."

Bryanna's expression softened, and she sighed, her tone turning scolding. "All this over something so small? Making Iris lie for you?"

Iris sighed quietly in relief.

Even though Vincent had pressured her to move out, at least he hadn't completely abandoned her.

Just as she thought she could relax, Bryanna spoke again. "Iris, has any boy from school been showing interest in you?"

Iris's head snapped up in panic. Jayden, from the Finance Department, had been pursuing her. Had Vincent told Bryanna?

Bryanna watched her closely and immediately knew. Elianna had been right.

Iris had matured-her striking appearance couldn't be ignored.

Bryanna's tone became more serious. "You're a beautiful young woman. It's natural that boys are attracted to you. But never forget what I've taught you-your virginity is your greatest strength. Protect it with everything you have until marriage."

Iris kept her head down, feeling guilty. "I understand."

Bryanna was ready to continue when Vincent cut in. "Bryanna, do me a favor and prepare a generous gift. I'll personally visit Elianna's home to apologize."

Bryanna smiled with approval. Her eyes then flicked to the marks on Vincent's neck. "You're about to settle down. It's time to cut ties with the other women."

Vincent casually traced his finger over the marks, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Just killing time."

Iris looked away, hiding the sadness in her eyes.

"Will you be staying in, Vincent?" Bryanna asked.

"Yes."

"Iris, take Laura and get the second-floor bedroom ready," Bryanna instructed.

Laura, the family servant, finished tidying up and left.

Iris made to step out too when the door slammed shut, and a tall figure towered over her.

Iris instinctively took a step back, stumbling onto the bed in surprise.

Vincent leaned closer, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

His voice was low and commanding. "One last time-move out."

Iris turned her head, trying to avoid his breath on her skin.

She wanted to leave the Stewart family.

But she wanted to leave with her dignity, not as someone's possession locked away.

Shaking her head, she replied, "I need to stay with Bryanna."

Vincent chuckled coldly. Then, just as quickly, he left. The door slammed shut with a thud.

Iris glanced up-Vincent had already gone downstairs.

"Leaving already?" Bryanna called after him. "Will you be back tonight?"

"No," Vincent responded flatly.

He walked out, and moments later, the sound of the engine roared to life. Tires screeched as his car sped off down the driveway.

Laura muttered, "That's odd. He just asked me to prepare his bath, but now he's leaving?"

From that day on, Iris stopped staying at the dorms-each night, she came back home, hoping for a chance to talk to Vincent about the surveillance footage.

But Vincent had been absent for days.

Then, one afternoon, Gretchen came by.

Bryanna, her face lit with excitement, announced, "Vincent just called-he said the surveillance footage has been restored."

Gretchen's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Are their faces visible?"

"Yes."

"Perfect! We have to expose that woman before she ensnares any more men."

Iris's heart raced in her chest. She was about to be exposed. Panic overwhelmed her, and before she could think, she bolted out the door.

By the time she regained her senses, she was standing outside Vincent's private home.

Her fingers trembled as she stood frozen, summoning the courage to press the doorbell with her cold hand.

She wouldn't step inside. She would ask about the surveillance footage and leave without delay.

The heavy door creaked open.

Iris raised her eyes but stopped in her tracks.

A strikingly beautiful face appeared in front of her.

A face that was instantly recognizable to anyone in the country.

It was Tatiana Ford, the nation's top rising star and most popular actress.

Wearing a silk camisole, she casually fixed a strap that had slipped off her shoulder and asked in a voice still heavy with desire, "Who are you? Here for Vincent?"

It was now clear Vincent couldn't spend a single night alone.

"Who's at the door?" Vincent's deep voice called from inside.

He must have just gotten out of the shower-his hair damp against his forehead, a towel hanging low on his waist, revealing his toned physique.

"No one." She turned quickly, as if ready to leave.

But a firm hand grasped her wrist.

"You should leave," Vincent said to Tatiana flatly.

Tatiana hesitated, but she knew better than to challenge him. She let out an irritated huff, stomped her foot, and walked away.

Vincent pulled Iris inside, pinning her against the door. "So you're coming to me willingly?" His voice dropped, playful.

Iris tried to fight against him.

His kiss landed on her mouth-forceful and commanding.

A wave of disgust rose in Iris's chest. Just moments before she had knocked, she believed, Vincent and Tatiana might have been finishing up.

She bit down on his lip-hard. The taste of blood spread in her mouth.

Vincent pulled back with a hiss, wiping his lower lip with his ring finger, looking at the blood on his finger with a smirk.

Iris seized the chance, tearing open the door and running.

She returned to the Stewart Mansion, disoriented. As she stepped inside, Bryanna's brow furrowed. "Why are you so flustered?"

Since childhood, Bryanna had taught Iris to carry herself with the poise of a true lady-every gesture, every expression honed to perfection. There was no space for anything less than flawless behavior.

Iris forced herself to steady her breath. "A dog chased me."

Bryanna stood, her eyes narrowing as they fixed on Iris's lips. "What happened to your mouth?"

Iris's stomach churned. Her fingers instinctively went to her lips.

Dried blood, Vincent's blood.

Panicked, she rushed to the bathroom, scrubbing it away. When she returned, she muttered, "Not my blood."

As the words left her mouth, she realized the damage had been done.

If it wasn't her blood, then whose was it? How had someone else's blood ended up on her lips?

Iris stammered, "It... it must've been from the cake. The syrup."

Bryanna scowled even more. She wasn't convinced.

At that moment, Laura entered, holding a piece of cake. "Miss Curtis, you ran so fast you left the cake outside."

Bryanna's expression softened slightly. "Cake's full of sugar and calories-it'll only make you gain weight. No more cake for you."

Bryanna kept a tight grip on Iris's weight, making sure it never exceeded 110 pounds.

"Understood," Iris replied with a nod.

That was a close call. She'd narrowly escaped.

Just as she started to relax, Laura called out, "Mr. Stewart is back."

Laura gasped, "Oh? What happened to your mouth, Mr. Stewart?"

Iris stiffened at once.

Bryanna's sharp eyes darted between them. Vincent's lower lip was swollen-clearly not from cake syrup.

Iris believed she was done for!