cold and unsettling Why are you in such a hurry to find Braden? Sarah asked, her tone sharp. What makes you think you can convince him? Are you two so close? Thea frowned, realizing Sarah had misunderstood. She was about to explain when her eyes caught a glint of something shiny behind Sarahs back a kitchen knife. Panic set in, and her mind went blank. What are you doing? Im just here to help. Theres nothing going on between Braden and me. But Sarah wasnt listening. Her expression twisted into something vicious. She snapped, You bitch. This is all your fault. You seduced Braden to steal company secrets, and now were ruined! If it werent for that kind person telling me about your affair, I wouldnt have known. Youre going to pay for this. Before Thea could react, Sarah lunged at her, yanking her hair and slamming her to the ground. Pain radiated from Theas scalp through her whole body as she tried to push Sarah off. But Sarah, surprisingly strong, sat on top of her, pinning her down There was a manic gleam in Sarahs eyes, but she didnt use the knife. Instead, she started tearing at Theas clothes, muttering. That kind person told me the best way to ruin you is to take nude photos of you and post them online. Everyone will hate you! Thea screamed, trying to explain, but Sarah didnt care. F In the chaos, Thea found her phone. She pressed the power button three times a shortcut to her emergency contact. That contact was still set to Jake, and she hadnt had a chance to change it. Across town, Jakes phone rang, but a delicate hand reached overland ended the call. A slightly tipsy Jake glanced over. Was that Thea? Madelyn deleted the call log with a blank expression. No, just a spam call. Back at the apartment, Sarah pulled out her phone, ready to take pictures. Thea closed her eyes in despair, feeling helpless. Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud crash, sunlight flooding the room. Nicolas strode in, swiftly kicking Sarah off Thea and tossing his jacket over her trembling frame. Terrified, Thea came to her senses and huddled to the side wrapped in the jacket. Her pale face was filled with fear and anger. However, Nicolas hadnt even glanced at her. His cold eyes were fixed on Sarah, who cowered on the floor. Shes from the Rowland family and the future lady of the Hendrix family. Who gave you the nerve to touch her? he said. Braden worked in upper management at Compton Group, so Sarah fully understood the power behind the Rowland and Hendrix families. Her face instantly drained of color, but she still tried to argue. So what if shes from a rich family? Shes the one who shamelessly seduced my husband- 1/8 42% a 20:15 Thu, Oct 24 Chapter 17 Before she could finish,-Nicolass expensive shoe came down on her hand, cutting off her words with a sharp scream as he pressed down harder. Her grip on the phone loosened, and Nicolas kicked it toward Thea, who was now fully dressed. Erase everything on that phone, he said c**ly, his long lashes barely hiding the cold fury in his eyes. Thea picked up the phone with trembling hands. Summoning her strength, she grabbed a nearby stool and smashed the phone repeatedly, pouring all her anger and fear into each blow. She didnt stop until her arms ached and she could barely lift then anymore. With a quick gesture from Nicolas, his waiting bodyguards entered the room. Sarah was restrained and dragged away. Thea still pale and unsteady, limped toward Nicolas. Hendrix, I owe you another favor. But Nicolass gaze turned icy as he looked at her. Theas lashes fluttered nervously as she met his eyes, Nicolass lips tightened, his brow furrowed with clear impatience. His voice was laced with disdain as he sneered, Thea, is this the determination you wanted to show me? With such a lack of composure and awareness, how did you ever think you were capable of working with me? His words cut deep, but they were true. Theas eyes welled up not from the sting of his words but from her anger at herself for losing her ability to think clearly under pressure. She didnt dare imagine what might have happened if Nicolas hadnt arrived in time. L… She tried to speak, but the world around her started to blur. The room spun, and she fell into a warm embrace. As Thea drifted in and out of consciousness, her dreams became unsettlingly vivid. Each dream featured Nicolas; her mind couldnt escape him. In one of them, she held his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm and the slight roughness of his fingertips. It felt so real. Thea awoke suddenly, her back drenched in cold sweat. Outside the door, Thea overheard the doctors voice. She inhaled a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide. It seems the suspect had a backup plan- if she couldnt kill this lady, theyd die together. Fortunately, the patient was brought in quickly. With rest and observation in the hospital, she should recover fully. Good, Nicolas replied, his voice deep. A moment later, he entered the room. Now more alert, Thea took in his handsome yet distant expression. Memories of her bizarre dreams flooded back, and she felt her face flush involuntarily. Nicolas sat in a chair by the bed, his voice as cool as his gaze. Centing emotional and acting rashly, you arent suitable to be working with me. Thea fumbled for words. Im sorry, Mr. I caused a lot of trouble. I got ahead of myself and acted too hastily. It wont happen again. Without addressing her apology, Nicolas shifted the conversation Sarahs been handed over to the police. If you want answers, you can ask her. But my patience is running thin. Dont let something like this happen again. Thea nodded, her gaze soft and almost submissive as she looked at him, Okay 2/3 20:15 Thu, Oct 24 Chapter 17 Nicolas stood and left the room, heading for a nearby lounge. Darwin was waiting there. D As soon as Nicolas appeared, Darwin hurried over. Sarah was stubborn at first, but after some tough measures, shes ready to confess. The lawyer says her actions will likely be classified as attempted assault, meaning she could be out in a year or two. Isnt that too light? Nicolas lit a cigarette with casual case, but through the curling smoke, his eyes gleamed with murderous rage. Make sure she doesnt get too comfortable after that. Arrange for her to be sent abroad when shes released. You know what to do. Darwin nodded. Understood Thea remained in the hospital for another week, but Nicolas never visited again. When her leg was better, Thea checked out. Her first stop was the prison where Sarah was being held. After her visit, Thea left looking visibly upset. Without hesitation, she headed back to the Rowland family home. The once grand residence had undergone changes since she left The new decor gave the house a cozier, more lived-in feel. Warm lightpoured from the dining room, where a family of three sat enjoying a meal together, their faces glowing with contentment But Theas unexpected arrival broke that harmonious scene. Their cheerful expressions quickly shifted.