Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Lionel squinted his eyes. He knew he couldn't make it far and needed to find a room immediately. Stumbling out of the private room, his body felt like it was about to explode from the searing heat coursing through him. His silver-gray shirt was already soaked through with sweat.

He staggered his way up to the VIP rooms on the 15th floor. As he stumbled toward a door, he was fortunate-it was unlocked and automatically opened. He needed to cool down his body fast.

As he lifted his leg to step inside, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman lurking under the dim, yellowish corridor light. She was acting suspiciously, glancing around nervously, and slowly edging closer to him.

Lionel rubbed his eyes. Despite his increasingly muddled mind, he recognized her immediately-she was the same woman who had been trying hard to flatter him with drinks earlier.

With his experience in dealing with women, he could tell what they were thinking with just a glance or a subtle gesture.

At first glance, he thought this woman seemed demure and elegant, a bit refreshing and unique. But at a second glance, her overly revealing low-cut dress and her bold moves when toasting him-those sultry, seductive eyes that screamed of her desire to pounce on him-disgusted him. The hypocrisy was nauseating.

Chloe walked cautiously, carefully checking the room numbers as she went. She was so focused that she didn't notice anyone at the door until she suddenly bumped into Lionel. She let out a startled cry, her eyes flashing with panic.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She apologized, her head bowed, trying to sidestep Lionel and move past him.

But as they passed each other, Lionel grabbed her hand, his voice full of gritted anger and a murderous edge, "Bitch, no one dares to treat me like this!"

He believed that no one had ever dared to cross him. Yet here he was, being plotted against-by a mere woman, no less, and one as hypocritically self-righteous as her!

Chloe was stunned and flustered by Lionel's sudden action. "S-Sir, what are you doing?"

She was so shocked that she momentarily forgot to pull her hand away, but the scorching heat from Lionel's grip snapped her back to reality. She began desperately trying to yank her hand free.

"Still pretending?" Lionel shook his increasingly fuzzy head and sneered, "You've been cozying up to me all night, showing off your cleavage, stroking my thigh, all just to climb into my bed, haven't you?"

He thought she had drugged him, waiting for the moment the drug took effect to offer herself to him. Wasn't that her plan?

Her soft, delicate hand was cool to the touch, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from his body, and he found himself wanting to pull that coolness even closer.

Chloe's dark eyes quickly filled with terror. "W-What are you talking about?" Her voice trembled with anger. "Let go!" When she couldn't break free, she frantically used her other hand to help. In the struggle, Lionel's burning arm brushed against the cool softness of her skin.

A fire ignited in his eyes, burning brightly.

"Hmph, you're quite the actress!" More sweat dripped down his face as he realized that just a cold bath wouldn't be enough to cool him down tonight.

His gaze locked onto the smooth, white curve of her neck, and his body reacted sharply. He made a quick decision-whoever had the guts to drug him should be ready to face the consequences.

Right now, he didn't care if this woman was merely trying to seduce him or if she had some other agenda. Once tonight was over, he could deal with her and ensure she wouldn't cause any trouble.

Almost as soon as he made his decision, Lionel pulled the struggling woman into his arms and dragged her into the room.

***

On the other side of the corridor, a scantily clad woman watched the brief struggle between Lionel and Chloe.

At first, she was too stunned to react, but the sound of the door slamming shut jolted her back to reality. Her eyes filled with tears, glistening with hatred.

Before she could think any further, the door behind her silently opened. A strong male hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her inside.

"Ah." Her scream was quickly muffled as she was thrown forcefully onto an enormous bed.

Before she could get up, three burly men pounced on her like ravenous wolves.