Chapter 3 Friend Request

Luke deliberately emphasized the word "remarkable." In his eyes, Gillian became irresistible in the heat of passion.

Neither Ashton nor Kenneth sensed that anything was off, but Gillian's complexion turned ghostly.

Luke's gaze bored into her, so intense it made her want to shrink away.

Yet escape wasn't an option. Any sudden move or hint of anxiety might tip off the Moore family, and that thought held her in place.

Determined not to betray herself, Gillian pulled her lips into a careful smile, ready to offer a polite reply. Before she could utter a word, Luke cut in, "She's a little too fragile for my taste, though. Can't quite keep up."

A surge of cold dread went through Gillian, draining every bit of color from her face.

What game was Luke playing at now? Was he about to spill everything?

Terror clawed at her chest. Every instinct told her to silence him, to stop his reckless words, but she didn't dare to even glance up for fear he'd catch her eye and start taunting her.

Ashton's brow creased with suspicion. "What are you getting at, Luke?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Luke grinned, mischief flickering in his eyes. "She's clinging to you, looking like she might faint any second. That's the image of a delicate girl if I've ever seen one."

Only then did Ashton realize how pale Gillian looked, her fingers ice-cold against his skin.

"She's probably still feeling the effects from drinking too much earlier," Ashton said quickly. "She hasn't bounced back yet."

In front of Kenneth, Ashton spoke with quiet concern, his words gentle and reassuring. "If you're really not feeling well, I'll take you home now, alright? You have work tomorrow, don't you?"

Gillian managed a stiff nod. "Alright."

Kenneth offered a few words of concern and let Ashton lead her out.

With her gaze fixed on the floor, Gillian followed Ashton, a sense of discomfort prickling beneath her skin.

In the car, Ashton barely looked at her. He drove in silence, cold and distant, showing none of the warmth he displayed in public.

Before, Gillian might have tried to say something to lighten the mood or win him over. Now, after learning how he truly felt about her-and everything that had happened-she had no desire to reach out.

Back in her room, Gillian hurried straight to the bathroom.

Red marks stood out on her skin in the harsh light. She silently thanked herself for wearing a long dress with sleeves that day. If she had worn anything less, those bruises would have been on full display.

Luke's hands on her waist, the rough way he bit and kissed her everywhere-those memories made her shiver.

There were still faint stains of blood on her underwear, and even a gentle touch sent sharp pain through her body. She turned the water on as hot as she could stand and scrubbed her skin repeatedly.

The more she thought about Luke, the angrier she became. She swore she'd never let herself fall into his arms again.

The red welts stared back at her from the mirror, and Gillian's hands balled into fists.

Without a second thought, she grabbed her phone and scheduled a hymen repair surgery.

Her family's company remained in limbo, anxiously awaiting financial backing from Moore Group.

Because of that uncertainty, Gillian had no choice but to keep up the appearance of her engagement, even knowing full well that Ashton wanted nothing to do with her.

Once the tension eased a little, she stretched out on her bed, hoping for a bit of peace. Just as she reached to power down her phone, a new notification flashed across the screen.

A friend request had appeared from someone with a blank, jet-black profile picture. The name attached was simple-just "Luke."

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it, and she found herself staring at the screen, breath coming a little faster.

Without a second thought, she ignored the friend request, shut off her phone, and tossed it aside. Exhaustion pulled her under, and she soon drifted off to sleep.

By the time morning came, Gillian had already messaged her department, telling them she needed the day off. She didn't go to the hospital where she worked. Instead, she drove to a medical facility known for strict privacy, high fees, and a solid reputation.

This hospital had quietly gained prestige and was now giving the city's top medical centers a run for their money.

With a mask covering her face, Gillian kept her head down and took a seat in the lounge, waiting patiently for her number to be called.

She barely had time to settle in before overhearing two nurses whispering nearby. One grinned and said, "Did you see that airline captain earlier? He looked like he stepped right out of a magazine. I heard we're doing physicals for civil aviation now, and honestly, his abs were worth the extra work."

"Shush, he's coming this way!" the other whispered in alarm.

Gillian glanced up, just as a handful of tall men strode out of the exam rooms.

At the front of the group walked a man who commanded attention without even trying. The crisp white shirt and tailored black slacks did nothing to hide his powerful frame-broad shoulders, lean waist, and impossibly long legs that made him look every bit the part.

Gillian's breath caught as she recognized him right away. That face was unmistakable. It was Luke.

Her thoughts spun out of control.

Instinctively, she pressed her hands together so tightly that her knuckles turned white, desperately hoping to vanish before he noticed her.

They hadn't spoken much in the past, but Luke's reputation preceded him. She had heard more than enough rumors about his cold, unyielding ways.

The idea of Luke learning she was here for something as private as hymen repair sent a chill down her spine.

Before she could think of a way to slip out unnoticed, a nurse rushed in, waving a medical form and calling out, "Patient No. 7! Gillian-"

Luke froze the moment he heard her name. His brow creased, and he spun around.