Wendy sneered, "Took you long enough to open the door. I’m going easy on you with just a slap."“You’re crossing the line, Wendy.” Tessa’s voice trembled with anger.“Oh, I’m not even close to done. Pack your trash and get out. This villa belongs to me now,” Wendy said coldly. “You have an hour.”“This is my home. What gives you the right to order me around?” Tessa’s patience was wearing thin. Just because she was kind-hearted didn’t mean she’d let Wendy walk all over her.Meeting Wendy had already been an unpleasant shock. But now, hearing that her cousin was trying to take her home? It was beyond infuriating.Wendy ignored her and clung to Mark’s arm. “Before I explain, let me introduce you to someone. You remember him, don’t you?”“Hello, Ms. Tessa, long time no see,” Mark said with a smirk, eyeing her from head to toe.It had been years since he last saw Tessa, and she looked more stunning than ever. He’d pursued her back then, but she had rejected every advance. Going abroad hadn
While saying that, Wendy aggressively threw all the clothes out of the wardrobe and onto the floor, stomping on them with glee. Her eyes glinted with satisfaction as she watched Tessa’s face twist in fury."Are you happy now?" Tessa’s voice cracked, her frustration spilling out as tears welled up in her eyes. Anger mixed with disbelief in her chest as she turned around, ready to leave, but Wendy wasn’t finished.“Wait!” Wendy’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding as she grabbed for the Cursed-idol amulet around Tessa’s neck. “This belongs to the Armand family, doesn’t it? Hand it over.”“What are you doing? This is a gift from my husband! It doesn’t belong to you or the Armand family!” Tessa reacted quickly, clutching the pendant and pulling it protectively against her chest. She could leave behind everything else, but she couldn’t let Wendy take this away.The amulet wasn’t just jewelry. It was a reminder of the love Adam had shown her, a symbol of their bond, and though she wasn’t
"You're looking for death!" A voice bellowed, shattering the silence as a figure suddenly crashed through the window.Mark froze, his eyes wide with shock as he whipped around to see a man stepping into the room with deliberate slowness, each footfall making the floor seem to tremble under his weight. The man’s gaze was sharp, cold, and indifferent—so piercing that it sent a shiver down Mark's spine."Who are you?" Mark demanded, his voice shaking, though he tried to mask his unease.The man who had entered was none other than Adam. He had just returned from grocery shopping when he heard Tessa's desperate cry. Without thinking, he had broken through the window, bypassing the door completely. His eyes were dark with fury, and an aura of pure, unrelenting rage surrounded him.The moment Adam laid eyes on Mark, a chilling wave of murderous intent radiated from him. His body seemed to hum with dangerous energy as if he were a predator ready to strike."How dare you lay a hand on my wife!
Tessa stood frozen, her mind struggling to process what she had just witnessed. Up until now, she had always thought of Adam as someone slightly more capable than the average person—strong, confident, and dependable—but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined he could cripple Mark with a single move. Her gaze locked onto him, a mix of awe and admiration welling up inside her. He wasn’t just capable. Adam was... incredible.Her heart raced as she continued to watch, unable to tear her eyes away. Mark, once so brash and full of arrogance, was now on the ground, groaning in pain. The fear and desperation in his eyes were evident, a stark contrast to his previous smugness."I hate people who threaten me," Adam said coolly, his voice a low growl as he released Mark from his grip and, in one swift motion, slapped him across the face.The sound of the slap echoed through the room, sharp and clear, as Mark spun from the force of it before crumpling to the floor. Before he could even begi
Adam didn’t even blink as Wendy swung the wine bottle toward him. With a single flick of his finger, he shattered it mid-air, sending shards of glass and droplets of wine scattering across the room like a spray of glitter. Wendy’s eyes went wide, shock momentarily paralyzing her as she registered the sight. Before she could react, Adam’s hand came down hard across her face in a swift, punishing slap.He didn’t stop at just one strike. Another followed, then another, each blow landing with unyielding precision and force. Wendy stumbled backward, dazed and disoriented, her hands instinctively raising to protect her face. But it was pointless. Adam’s strikes were relentless, leaving her disheveled and broken, her once-proud face swollen and battered beyond recognition. Blood trickled from her mouth, and she could feel the jagged, empty spaces where her teeth had been knocked loose.The silence that fell was chilling, punctuated only by Wendy’s faint, pained breaths. Adam’s voice cut thro
Adam couldn’t help but let a satisfied smirk creep onto his face as he thought about the events unfolding exactly as he had planned. He moved aside, pulling out his phone and dialing Hammer’s number with a practiced ease.The line barely rang before Hammer answered. “Lord Adam,” he greeted, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and nervousness.“Why hasn’t Wilfred gotten Tessa to sign the contract yet?” Adam’s tone was sharp, leaving no room for excuses.Hammer, sensing the frustration in Adam’s voice, quickly responded. “Sir, I was just about to report this. Wilfred went to the Armand residence to deliver the contract, but Ms Tessa was turned away by her family before she could even take a look at it.”Adam’s jaw tightened. “And what did Wilfred do?”“After they insulted her, he decided to teach them a lesson,” Hammer replied, his voice steady. “He left the contract there and warned the Armands to bring Ms Tessa back to sign it—if they know what’s good for them.”Adam’s expressi
Tessa wanted to pull away, to resist the overwhelming pull of Adam’s embrace, but he held her firmly. His hands were gentle yet insistent as he cupped her chin, guiding her face toward his, preventing any attempt to escape. Adam had waited too long for this moment, and now that he had it, he wasn’t about to let it slip away. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both demanding and tender.The kiss lingered for what felt like an eternity, lasting for a full two minutes. Tessa was breathless when Adam finally pulled away, her heart racing and her body trembling. Her cheeks were flushed a deep red, the color of ripe apples, glowing with the heat of the moment. They looked so tempting, so kissable, and Adam couldn't resist. He leaned in again, his lips finding hers with renewed urgency. This time, he pressed her back onto the couch, his hands exploring her, his body pushing her further into the cushions.Tessa was overwhelmed. At first, she didn’t resist, surrendering to the
The days that followed were surprisingly calm. Adam had settled into the Armand residence, slipping naturally into the role of Tessa’s personal driver. Despite the Armand family’s initial disdain, they hadn’t crossed any overt lines. They would cast disdainful looks or drop subtle insults, but Adam, focused on the bigger picture, chose to ignore them. His silent patience only seemed to frustrate them more, but he felt a quiet satisfaction in maintaining his composure. For now, the quiet suited him perfectly.The only thorn in his side was the bet he had won with Tessa. She'd allowed him to stay in her room, but her compromise had clear boundaries—literally. She had drawn an invisible line down the center of the bed, enforcing a strict “do not cross” rule. Adam found himself lying in bed each night, close enough to feel her warmth, yet forbidden from moving an inch closer. This silent restraint was both infuriating and amusing; he couldn't help but smirk each night as he eyed the imagi