In a flash, Wendy reached into her pocket, grabbed the pepper spray,and sprayed it forcefully behind her.

Living alone, she had taken some precautions just in case.

A scream erupted immediately,and the grip around her loosened.

Gasping for air. Wendy coughed violently. Her vision blurred, and her limbs felt weak.

She stumbled instinctively toward the alley's exit.

But she hadn't anticipated that there would be an accomplice.

She heard a rough voice curse, and before she could get far, she was yanked back roughly.

The pepper spray was snatched away, and a cloth with a pungent smell was pressed over her mouth and nose.

Wendy's heart sank in terror as she realized it was soaked in ether.

She tried to hold her breath, kicking desperately at a nearby car to make some noise.

But the assailant was too strong,easily dragging her deeper into the alley,the ether-soaked cloth firmly covering her face.

The high concentration of ether quickly sapped Wendy's strength,and her consciousness began to fade.

She drifted in and out of awareness, occasionally seeing shadows moving in front of her. She wanted to scream but couldn't, slipping back into

darkness.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying on a large hotel bed.

Her hands and feet were bound with zip ties, and her mouth was taped shut.

The effects of the anesthetic hadn't fully worn off. Her mind was foggy,her body weak, and she struggled to sit up.

Through her hazy vision, she saw a young, strong man sitting in a chair across from her.

"You woke up quickly," the man said.

That voice-it was Charles!

She remembered the flowers, the arrogant words on the card, and the creepy look he gave her when they met.

So, it had been himall along.

With her hands tied behind her, Wendy struggled to sit up,awkwardly scooting on the sofa, trying to stand.

Charles stood up and threw her back onto the bed.

"Don't waste your energy. You're not getting out of here."

He finally dropped his seemingly gentle facade, his smile now twisted and sinister.

"I wanted to be gentle with you, but you're too cautious."

Wendy tried to speak but could only make muffled sounds.

"Want to talk?" Charles ripped the tape off her mouth.

"What do you want?" Wendy demanded, her voice weak but defiant.

Charles stared at her flushed, angry face and her red lips, a dark glint in his eyes.

"Didn't Ethan tell you not to glare at people like that? I don't want much,just to see wha it's like to sleep with Ethan's woman."

What an asshole!

"I have nothing to do with him. We're divorced!"

"That's why I dare to sleep with you now." Charles pinched her delicate face. "Who would dare touch someone Ethan hasn't tired of yet?"

Wendy tried to dodge his hand, her chest heaving with anger. "If you're so jealous of him, why don't you just rape him? Wouldn't that be more sutisfying?"

Charles was momentarily stunned by her words.

Wendy seized the opportunity to break free and run towards the door,but Charles quickly dragged her back.

"Stop struggling. You won't escape me today. Don't worry, I'm not heartless. Cooperute, and I'll let you -go when I'm done."

Wendy,bound and helpless, couldn't resist his strength.

She broke free from his grip and screamed for help, but Charles laughed mockingly, "Seream all you want, I like hearing you scream."

He leaned close to her ear, his voice low and malicious. "Ethan is at a business banquet in the next room. Scream louder, and maybe he'll hear you."

His words sent a chill down Wendy's spine.

"You!" She gritted her teeth, unable to say more.

"Scared?"

She closed her eyes tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks and soaking into the pillow.

Charles looked down at her coldly,his eyes devoid of emotion.

He suddenly leaned in, sniffing her neck, then praised, "What a beauty.I can't believe Ethan let you go."

He licked her earlobe lightly, making Wendy's body stiffen. She shrank away, "Get off me! Don't touch me!"

"I'm not just going to touch you. I'm going to rape you."

His hand roamed over her back, caressing her flat stomach, finally resting on her firm buttocks.

"No!" Wendy was mortified and furious.

She wanted to fight back but had no strength left. Her hands and feet were bound, and she couldn't push him away.

Wendy cried.

She didn't want to show weakness in front of Charles, but now she was truly scared, trembling with fear.

Tears fell like broken pearls, continuously streaming down.

She had never felt so hopeless.

Just a wall away, in the hotel's banquet hall, dazzling crystal chandeliers cast a brilliant light.

Business elites from all sectors gathered, toasting and chatting,the atmosphere lively.

"Among us, Alexander is the most enigmatic," said Rowan Montgomery.the chamber of commerce president, who loved organizing events.

He held such business banquets regularly, making it a tradition.

Alexander hadn't attended such events for years. It was the 70th birthday of the esteemed industry veteran Brad Thornton, and after multiple personal calls and much persuasion, Rowan finally got him to agree to make an appearance this year.

Brad was recounting the history of the Turner Group again. Every gathering, he would reminisce, and everyone patiently listened.

Having missed Alexander at previous events, they were eager to hear more now that he was present.

"Back then, when Alexander's parents died in an accident, a rival company took the opportunity to suppress the Turner Group. The company almost went bankrupt, but Alexander's sheer determination revived it."

"That's right," a peer added. "I heard he worked day and night to save the company, and now it's one of Eldoria's top groups."

Alexander sut on the sofa, expressionless, gently swirling his'wine glass.

occasionally responding to Brad out of respect.

In another corner, Ethan was chatting with Lydia, David, and a group of friends.

Though the Collins and Simmons families were respectable, they were no match for the Turner Group.

Seeing the crowd around Alexander, David wvas envious. "Mr. Turner is impressive. All these cunning old guys are vying to please him."

Ethan downed a glass of wine, scoffing. "It's not as grand as you think.He was just lucky to be born into a powerful family."

Lydia handed him another drink with a smile. "Ethan's right. These people are just riding on their ancestors' coattails. How many are self-made like Ethan?"

Ethan's previously cold expression softened at her words.

Sensing Ethan's displeasure, David changed the subject, chatting with other friends about various anecdotes.

"Wasn't Charles supposed to attend the banquet? Where is he?"David looked around the hall but couldn't find him.

"Don't you know? He's next door having sex!" one friend said with a mischievous grin.

"Really?"

"Why would I lie? I saw him with a woman when I arrived. I even took a photo." He pulled out his phone to show David and the others.

Curious. David leaned in and saw Charles half-embracing a woman, their

posture intimate.

He was about to make a joke when he revilized something was off.

Looking closely, he recognized the woman as Wendy!

Though only half her face was visible, David had known Wendy for a long time.He'd nrognize her anywhere.

He stood up in shock, calling out to Ethan, "Ethan, look, isn't this Wendy?"