Chapter 2 Leaving After Having Fun

The man's strong arm clasped her wrist and pinned it above her head, leaning over to imprison her beneath him.

The black velvet quilt slipped down to her chest, revealing her collarbone. Against the dark fabric, her skin looked even more delicate and fair-almost translucent.

Before her rebirth, Ashley had never been so intimately entangled with a man. Now, being pinned beneath him, she became flustered. "You... let me go!"

"Answer my question," the man said flatly, his thin lips parting. His voice was low and heavy.

"Wh-what?" Ashley stammered, caught off guard by his penetrating gaze.

"Who sent you here?"

"..."

Ashley blinked, stunned. From his tone, it sounded like he, too, had been framed-just like her. Were they both victims?

"Listen to me, you and I..." She began to explain, but the doorbell rang.

A moment later, loud voices and fists banged on the door. "Open up! Open the door now or we'll break it down!"

"..."

Before either of them could react, the door lock rattled. A group of people burst in.

Flashes exploded like fireworks as cameras clicked in a frenzy.

Ashley's shoulders were half-exposed. She quickly grabbed the quilt to cover herself, and the man instinctively helped shield her.

He frowned and turned toward the door with a cold glare. "Who are you? How dare you trespass into someone else's room?"

Everyone froze at his dignified, commanding voice. The next second, someone inhaled sharply.

"Bl-Black... Mr. Blackstorm..."

Silence fell like a blanket.

Wrapped tightly in the quilt, Ashley peeked out.

Clearly, everyone recognized this man-or rather, they feared him.

Her suspicions grew stronger. This man had to be someone powerful.

"Uh... Mr. Blackstorm, I-I'm sorry!" the hotel staff stammered, still holding the key.

One of the reporters stepped forward, trying to laugh it off. "Mr. Blackstorm, it's just a misunderstanding... just a misunderstanding!"

Ashley watched carefully. A sly glint flashed in her blue eyes.

These people were groveling. And this man's last name was Blackstorm.

Could it be...?

Her heart skipped a beat.

If he really was from the Blackstorm family-one of Colorado's four most powerful families-then this man must be...

"Pfft... a misunderstanding?" The man scoffed. "I, Morgan Blackstorm, don't know any of you. So tell me, where exactly is the misunderstanding?"

Ashley's eyes widened. Her guess was right.

Morgan Blackstorm.

The man she had unknowingly slept with... was Morgan Blackstorm.

That night in her past life had been unbearable to recall. But now she wondered: if she hadn't run away back then... if she had known he was Morgan Blackstorm... would everything have been different?

"Mr. Blackstorm," a reporter stepped forward nervously, "we were informed that this actress, Ashley Sanchez, came here for... for an unspoken deal, so-"

"You're lying!" Ashley's voice cut through like a blade. "You clearly framed me!"

"What? We didn't-!"

"You tried to frame me, fine. But how dare you drag Mr. Blackstorm into this!"

"I-we..."

They faltered, panicking under Morgan's icy gaze.

"Then explain," one of them muttered, "why are you here?"

Ashley raised her chin. "I'm with my boyfriend. Is it wrong to be with my boyfriend?"

Boyfriend?

Everyone exchanged confused glances.

Ashley suddenly felt a cold, sharp gaze from beside her. Nervous sweat broke out on her back. She didn't dare look at him.

"What proof do you have that you're Mr. Blackstorm's girlfriend?"

"Proof...?"

Ashley's eyes flicked up, then she boldly wrapped her arms around Morgan's neck, closed her eyes, and kissed him.

Morgan's eyes widened.

The woman in his arms had skin smoother than snow. Her features were delicate, her long, seaweed-like hair slightly messy-yet alluring. She had initiated the kiss, but her trembling lashes and cool, soft lips revealed her nervousness.

Morgan, amused by her boldness, didn't push her away. He was curious how this would play out.

Ashley, meanwhile, was too scared to open her eyes. She clung to him tightly, pretending ignorance, hoping to bluff her way through.

The room fell silent.

No one dared speak as they witnessed the kiss. None of it looked staged. And Morgan Blackstorm-he wasn't rejecting it. His silence... was practically confirmation.

As the kiss ended, Ashley nearly collapsed from relief.

This had all happened so fast. She was still in shock from being reborn. She hadn't been sure Morgan would cooperate. But she bet on one thing: that a man like him would never allow false rumors to tarnish his name.

So between being seen as his girlfriend-or a random girl he slept with-he'd obviously pick the former.

As time crawled by, Ashley felt like she was suffocating.

Finally, Morgan spoke, his voice magnetic and calm.

"You saw it. You heard it. Is that clear now?"

With those words, he acknowledged the relationship.

Trouble had officially begun.

"Mr. Blackstorm, we-"

"Are you still not leaving?" Morgan raised a brow, his voice soft but commanding.

In Spain, few dared to cross Morgan Blackstorm-let alone break into his room and invade his privacy.

No one wanted to stay a second longer.

"Wait!" Morgan's cool voice stopped them mid-step. "Leave your cameras and phones."

Naturally, he wouldn't allow any photos to circulate. Grudgingly, the reporters and staff complied, placing their devices on the table before leaving, one by one.

Silence returned.

Ashley let out a long sigh of relief.

Then she suddenly remembered the position she was in-with Morgan still holding her. She hurriedly pushed him away.

"Tsk... leaving after you've had your fun?" Morgan said with a smirk, his gaze falling on her flushed face.

Ashley wrapped herself tightly in the quilt and glared. "Hey! What do you mean 'after having fun'? Didn't I just help you out?"

"Oh? Help me out?"

"Didn't I?"

Morgan didn't answer, only narrowed his eyes at her.

Ashley's heart pounded. But she refused to be intimidated. Not now.

Still... being stared at like that, she couldn't help but feel guilty. Her voice softened.

"Well... let's just say we helped each other, okay?"

"..."

Morgan's lips curled slightly, his smile turning more playful.

Ashley huffed in annoyance. "Fine! Thank you for not exposing me. You helped me out-I owe you. If you ever need anything from me, just ask. But-" she narrowed her eyes, "whatever happened last night... ends here!"