Chapter 8 Her Act

• Conrad kissed Lillian deeply, watching her dazed expression.
• "Not scared? Since when did you get so bold?" he murmured.
• Lillian found it amusing. They are your woman, the assistant who has a crush on you—what would I be afraid of? It's not like the person outside is a man.
• "You're not scared, so why should I be? And right now, it's you who has me pinned down, Mr. Conrad," she teased.
• There was always a difference between how she said "Mr. Conrad" and "Conrad". With her, it was laced with playful sarcasm and a mocking invitation. Unlike those who addressed him with nervous respect, she had started out cautious and even resistant but had eventually taken on a more alluring approach, using her soft voice to draw him in as she wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged at his belt.
• Over the years, the shy, innocent girl had become a dangerously captivating woman.
• The door suddenly flew open, and Conrad quickly lifted her gown's flowing skirt, turning Lillian around to shield her in his arms, hiding her from view.
• Alice's eyes widened in shock, while Evelyn and Janet gawked at the scene, frozen.
• "Get out!" Conrad's tone was sharp, and Alice immediately ducked her head, apologizing as she shut the door.
• Evelyn shook with rage.
• Alice whispered, "Let's go!" If they stayed any longer and angered Conrad, all three of them would be in trouble.
• Evelyn, visibly shaken, nearly missed grabbing the railing as they headed downstairs.
• Janet tried to console her. "Evelyn, maybe it wasn't Lillian in there…"
• Evelyn scoffed, her voice sharp. "If it's not her, then another woman makes it any better?" This was Conrad slapping her in the face, wasn't it? "Besides, what other woman has the skills to seduce Conrad like that?"
• Are they still seeing each other behind her back? Evelyn's cheeks burned with humiliation as she remembered how Conrad had ignored her and the way she'd taunted Lillian just moments ago. She stared at the staircase below, took a breath, and suddenly pulled her arm free from Janet's hand, throwing herself down the steps.
• "Evelyn!—" Janet shouted.
• Upstairs, Conrad held Lillian firmly. "So…did you like any of those?"
• "I'm just a working girl; those dresses don't suit me. If you want to give me money, just pay me in cash." She gave him a sultry smile.
• Conrad hated her dismissive attitude, and just as he was about to penetrate her to teach her a lesson, there was a knock on the door.
• "Mr. Conrad!" Alice's urgent voice came through. "Miss Evelyn fell down the stairs. Her head is bleeding, and there's a lot of blood!"
• Conrad's face darkened as he pulled away, adjusting Lillian's dress.
• Lillian looked at him with a taunting expression. "So, what about my grandma?"
• "I already told you my stance." He had no intention of giving in on that.
• Lillian's expression turned cold. How could she have thought that pleasing him would make him a bit more forgiving, like before? It was clear she'd have to find another hospital for her grandmother.
• Conrad opened the door, noticing her silence. "I'll have the driver take you home," he said.
• Lillian didn't respond, lost in thought.
• "Mr. Conrad," Alice said urgently. "Miss Evelyn has lost consciousness."
• Just as she finished speaking, Lillian's vision blurred, and she slumped to the floor against the wall…
• Alice frowned, unimpressed. This woman's at it again with her theatrics.
• Conrad scooped Lillian up in his arms, but Alice, irritated, said, "Mr. Conrad, she was perfectly fine until she heard Miss Evelyn fainted. Don't believe her act."
• Conrad looked at her, standing in his way. "You're forgetting your place."
• Alice bit her lip and moved aside. He quickly carried Lillian downstairs, where his personal bodyguard, Andrew, was waiting.
• "Sir."
• "Open the door."
• Janet was supporting Evelyn and saw Conrad pass by. "Mr. Conrad, what about Evelyn?"
• Conrad ignored her, placing Lillian into the backseat. Only then did he notice she was burning up, assuming it was just from their earlier encounter.
• "Drive faster!"
• "Yes, sir!"
• Janet watched the car leave, seething with frustration. Lillian, you son of a bitch!
• ******
• Conrad rushed her to the hospital, bringing in multiple doctors to check her over.
• His friend, George Thomas, closed the door to her room after the examination. "What did you two get up to this time?"
• "How is she?"
• George, expressionless, handed him the report. "I even had to beg the OB-GYN head to come take a look. The look she gave me…you should see for yourself."
• The report noted excessive sex, internal tears, and bruising all over.
• "If I hadn't stepped in, they'd have called the cops on you for assault."
• Conrad shot him a glance. "Is it serious?"
• "Well, serious enough that she needs rest, which means you'll need to abstain from sex for a while," George replied, filing away the report. "If you want her admitted, I can arrange a private room for her right now."
• Conrad replied simply, "No need." He knew Lillian disliked hospitals.
• He collected some prescriptions, and by that night, they were back at Taylor Mansion.
• Lillian, half-conscious, recognized the familiar surroundings and even heard a familiar voice. The bed beneath her sank, and she instinctively nestled into the pillow before drifting off again. She was vaguely aware of her clothes being removed, a warm towel brushing over her skin. She knew someone was tending to her, but she was too exhausted to respond.
• In her dreams, she wandered a hospital hallway, the sharp scent of disinfectant filling the air.
• A nurse pushed a cart past her. People surrounded her, though she wasn't sure how many truly wished her well.
• Her father's company was near bankruptcy; the surgical lights were red.
• "Dad…"
• "Dad, don't leave."
• "Dad!" she called, feeling an agonizing burn in her chest, a pain so intense it left her numb.
• A warm, possessive embrace pulled her in, and a dark, devilish voice echoed.
• "Your dad's long gone. Only I'm here now."
• She struggled weakly. "No…"
• "No isn't an option."
• "What choice do you think you have?"
• She tried to make out his voice in the haze, but the medication's pull was too strong, and she slipped back into unconsciousness.
• When she finally opened her eyes, Lillian stared at the ceiling, noticing her reflection in a mirrored surface overhead.
• Conrad had arranged it so that mirrors filled the room, showing every angle of every night, forcing her to see herself surrendering to him.
• It was his twisted pleasure.
• Lillian thought she was hallucinating, but when she opened her eyes again and realized she was still there, she sat up abruptly.
• She was now in soft pajamas, and the door opened to reveal Conrad standing there, quietly watching her—like that shadow from last night, tangled with her and never letting go.
• In a daze, Lillian thought maybe she had never left Taylor Mansion. It felt like she was still here, dressed perfectly, her makeup flawless, waiting for this man to drive home so she could run into his arms, pouting sweetly and complaining about how late he was.
• She rubbed her forehead.