Chapter 5 Crawl Into Another

• Louis continued, oblivious to her discomfort. “The Tillman family is drowning in debt. Even with a loan, it's like trying to put out a wildfire with a glass of water. It's time to think about your future. You're smart, you've got a degree from Yolham University, and you're stunning. There are options.”
• Juliette's smile faded as Louis inched closer.
• “I remember when you were still in high school, dating Jackson,” he said, his voice thick with nostalgia. “You were such a beauty, even then. It's a shame things didn't work out between you two, but I didn't mind, even though you were Jackson's ex.”
• Juliette's expression turned cold, the sarcasm on her lips biting. Louis was no different from the others—he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, but his intentions were clear.
• “You know, Juliette, back then the Tillmans were untouchable,” he continued. “But after Jackson dumped you, well... pardon me for being blunt, but your family's star has faded.”
• As he spoke, he brazenly reached for her again, this time aiming to place his hand on her shoulder. But before he could touch her, Louis let out a strangled scream.
• “Ah!”
• Juliette had risen swiftly, pulling out her pepper spray and aiming directly at his eyes.
• “Juliette! What the h*ll are you doing?” Louis bellowed, staggering back in pain.
• Juliette's face remained impassive, though her feverish body trembled slightly. “You think you're worthy of touching me?” she spat. “You're disgusting.”
• With one swift motion, she kicked him square in the chest with her high-heeled shoe and turned to leave. But Louis, furious and desperate, lunged at her, grabbing her leg and causing her to fall hard to the ground.
• This was Juliette's first time using pepper spray, and in her nervousness, she hadn't sprayed enough. Louis, reacting quickly, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, muttering in a voice filled with irritation.
• “All right, Juliette,” he sneered, his tone thick with mockery. “So, this is how you repay my kindness? What are you here for today, huh? Trying to sell something? Yourself, maybe?”
• Feeling somewhat recovered, Louis advanced again, his eyes gleaming with a new boldness. His hand reached out as he prepared to undress her. “You're secondhand goods. Watch how I'll teach you a lesson today...”
• Juliette's face went pale. The fever burning through her body, combined with the pain from the fall, had sapped her strength. Her fingers scrambled desperately toward the pepper spray again, but her body felt too weak. Just as Louis moved closer, a sudden blur of motion filled the room.
• In an instant, a figure appeared, grabbing Louis' arm mid-reach. With a sharp twist, there was a sickening snap, followed by a howl of pain from Louis as he crumpled to the floor.
• Everything happened so fast that Juliette didn't even have time to scream. Her eyes widened in shock as she watched the entire scene unfold before her. The man who had saved her moved with lethal grace, his actions swift and precise. When she looked up, she found herself staring into a pair of cold, dark eyes—it was Jackson.
• Juliette was stunned, unable to comprehend when or how Jackson had appeared. His cold, detached stare swept over her, and without a word or gesture of concern, he turned and walked out, not bothering to glance back.
• It took a moment for Juliette to snap out of her daze. Her body still ached, but she forced herself to her feet, determined not to let him leave without saying something. She hurried after him, ignoring Louis's groans of pain as she ran.
• Juliette followed him all the way to the roadside, catching him just as he was about to get into his car. Quickly stepping in front of him, she blocked his path.
• “Jackson—” she began, her voice hoarse from the fever.
• Before she could say more, Jackson's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with a vice-like grip. In one swift motion, he spun her around and pressed her back against the car, the impact sending a jolt of pain through her.
• Juliette winced, her brows furrowing from the shock and pain. When she lifted her eyes to meet his, she was met with a slow, cruel smirk playing on his lips. His gaze held no warmth, only a dark, mocking amusement. “What's this? Ms. Tillman, you've barely left my bed and you're already trying to crawl into another?”