Lindsay was yanked into a shadowy room, turned around, and thrown hard against the door.

"Don't move..." The man's voice came out low and gravelly, his breath heavy and warm against her ear. Each word was heavy with dangerous desire, as though some substance had stripped away his restraint.

Panic gripped her at once. Her body trembled as she fought to break free.

Then, suddenly, his feverish lips slammed against hers.

She clamped her mouth shut, but the harsh sting of alcohol seeped in, mixed with the faint, woody scent of cedar clinging to his skin.

He forced her lips apart without hesitation, his tongue pushing inside with a restless urgency, as though he meant to take everything from her in one breath.

In the struggle, cloth ripped.

A chilling draft brushed her shoulder.

The delicate strap of her dress had been torn away with sheer force. Part of the fabric slid down, exposing her skin as a scorching hand pressed firmly against it.

A strangled sound lodged in Lindsay's throat as her body shook violently.

Tears welled up in her eyes without warning.

She had only just uncovered the truth of a betrayal so devastating it had nearly broken her. Was she truly going to be cornered here in the dark and assaulted by some intoxicated stranger?

"Help me... I'll give you anything you want..." His lips scorched the side of her neck as his hand moved lower along her shaking spine.

"Get away from me!"

All the terror and fury she had buried erupted in an instant. She twisted her head sharply and sank her teeth into his wrist.

The man let out a pained grunt, his hold faltering.

This was her opportunity.

Lindsay drove her knee upward with every bit of strength she had.

The man let out another muffled groan as he stumbled back, crashing into the glass coffee table with a loud thud.

The table broke apart with a sharp, splintering crack.

Lindsay pulled away and flattened herself against the cold wall, her pulse hammering so violently it felt like it might rupture.

Her hands shaking, she reached for her phone and switched on the flashlight.

The light revealed the man before her. His expensive suit was rumpled, and he steadied himself with one hand on the shattered table's edge. Sweat dampened his hair, loose strands falling across his forehead.

Even in this state, his handsome face and the commanding aura he carried were impossible to miss.

He didn't resemble the pampered rich men she usually saw around Tyler.

That face...

Her breath hitched. An image from a business magazine surfaced in her mind.

Could it actually be him?

Ashton Clarke, the self-made force who had climbed to the top in just a few years, was known for his ruthless business tactics.

This was the man responsible for derailing several of Tyler's major projects.

Why was he at a hotel Tyler often visited? And why like this?

The glare from her phone seemed to bother him. Ashton's eyes slowly opened.

"Drugged... Help me..." he groaned weakly, the veins at his temples standing out.

Drugged?

Someone had slipped him something? Here, in a hotel partly owned by Tyler?

A troubling realization hit Lindsay's mind.

Ashton was Tyler's most formidable rival. If he ended up entangled here with her, Tyler's wife, in a scandal that couldn't be neatly explained... how would Tyler spin it?

He would ruin Ashton. And in the process, he might discard her too.

No.

She couldn't allow Ashton to fall into Tyler's control.

The man standing in front of her might be an adversary, but he could also become the one advantage she had against Tyler.

"Ashton Clarke?" Lindsay tried saying the name aloud, a slight tremor betraying her unease.

The man leaning on the coffee table reacted immediately, his head snapping up.

Through the haze of pain and whatever substance had been forced into his system, a sharp, predatory gleam flickered in his eyes and locked onto her.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice low and tight, each word laced with guarded hostility. "Don't make a scene. Don't... call anyone."

So her guess had been correct.

In the state he was in, there was no chance he would want to be found like this.

Lindsay clasped her phone more firmly, the cold metal biting into her skin.

At that moment, the screen brightened with a message from Tyler.

"Honey, where are you? The driver said you already came upstairs. Are you feeling unwell again? Send me your location, and I'll come get you."

She stared at the message, a wave of disgust rising at the false concern. Then she typed out a quick reply.

"I'm fine, honey. I just felt a bit lightheaded and sat down in one of the hotel lounges for a while. I'm better now. I'll be there shortly; don't worry."

Once she sent it, she looked back at Ashton, meeting his watchful stare.

"Mr. Clarke," she said, forcing steadiness into her tone, "I'd like to propose a deal. One worth billions."

Ashton seemed to hold his breath. "What kind of deal?"

His eyes swept over her face, cold and probing, filled with distrust.

A strange woman appearing out of nowhere and addressing him by name, from any reasonable perspective, could only look suspicious.

"Help me take someone down."

"Who?"

"Tyler Hardy," Lindsay replied, enunciating each syllable with venom. "I want him destroyed. I want him left with nothing. In exchange, I'll offer you a business opportunity worth billions and ensure he never recovers from the fall."

The air between them went taut.

"You showed up out of nowhere," Ashton muttered through clenched teeth, "and you expect me to just believe you and talk strategy with you about bringing down Tyler Hardy?"

His eyes dipped, catching on her slipped shoulder strap before settling briefly on her bruised lips.

"Have you lost your mind," he rasped, swallowing, "or do you think I'm the kind of fool who'd be swayed by a pretty face... especially under these circumstances?"

"In your current state, Mr. Clarke," Lindsay replied as she stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them, "are you even capable of deciding whether I'm truly offering an alliance... or merely setting you up?"

His body stiffened, yet he didn't step back.

She lowered her voice, letting her breath brush against his overheated skin. "You were drugged on Tyler's territory. He's your biggest competitor. If this becomes a scandal and falls into his hands... what do you think that means for you?"

Ashton's eyes dilated with realization, his breathing growing heavier.

A hollow, humorless laugh escaped Lindsay. "And me? I'm nothing more than a resource he's planning to use up and discard. Our interests align. So, Mr. Clarke, are you in, or not?"

His throat bobbed, and he asked in a rough voice, "Why should I believe... that you being here isn't also part of Tyler's plan to set me up?"

Lindsay remained silent for a moment. Then she slowly raised her hand and touched the heated skin at the side of his neck.

Ashton flinched but didn't pull away.

"Because right now," she said quietly, her fingers slipping beneath the front of his stiff collar, "only I can help you."

Ashton lunged forward, seizing Lindsay's wrist with such force that it hurt.

A dark struggle flared in his eyes, desire clashing violently with restraint.

"Do you even realize," he muttered, his breath coming hot against her mouth, "what you're actually saying?"

"I do." Lindsay didn't look away. With her free hand, she reached over and rested it on his knotted fist, her fingers slipping into his hot palm and easing between his rigid ones, prying them apart one at a time. "And I know this as well… if you let tonight pass, you're not getting another opportunity like this."

His breath faltered entirely.

Right then, a voice spoke clearly from the hallway outside. "Someone just said they spotted her somewhere around here…"

It was Tyler's men.

They were actually searching for her.

Lindsay's heart lurched painfully upward. She turned the flashlight off immediately and went completely still.

Ashton picked up on the danger just as quickly.

Footsteps moved down the hall, growing louder, until they stopped directly outside the room where they were hiding.

In the heavy silence, the doorknob twitched.

"This one… the door looks like it's not fully closed," someone murmured from the other side.

A sheen of cold sweat spread across Lindsay's back.

If that door opened, they would be seen by Tyler's men.

With Ashton in his current state and her own appearance in disarray, things would be catastrophic.

The instant the lock began to give, Lindsay didn't pause to think. She caught Ashton's fever-warm arm and dragged him toward the bed with everything she had.

Unprepared, his solid weight tilted with the force of her pull.

She dropped backward onto the mattress, and Ashton followed, his body heat slamming down over her in a rush.

There was no room for hesitation. Lindsay wrapped both arms around his neck and hauled him down with her. Then she tipped her chin up and pressed her mouth against his.

At the same time, she released a soft, drawn-out moan, carefully breathy and unmistakably suggestive in the silence.

The movement outside stopped at once.

A second later came muted snickers.

"They're busy in there. Damn. Didn't even bother locking up."

"Let's go. No need to interrupt."

Footsteps resumed, gradually retreating down the corridor.

Lindsay exhaled shakily in relief and began to pull back.

But Ashton was faster. In an instant, he took over.

His heated hand slid behind her head as he kissed her again, harder and deeper, with a force that seemed almost brutal.

Lindsay stiffened. It felt like every drop of blood surged to her face before going cold a heartbeat later.

Ashton pressed her into the mattress, holding her there so completely she couldn't move. One hand captured both her wrists and pinned them above her head without effort.

His mouth moved against hers with rough urgency, all heat and appetite, as though he meant to devour her.

Every broken sound she tried to make was suppressed by his loud kissing.

His hand slipped beneath the torn edge of her neckline again, and the moment his fingers brushed bare skin, Lindsay trembled.

In the darkness, his eyes burned with startling intensity.

"I'll take the deal."

The words had barely left him before he ripped what remained of her dress apart and lowered himself over her.

A brief rush of cold air touched her exposed skin before being smothered beneath the heavy warmth of his body.

His hand closed over her breast, his grip tight enough to leave marks.

Lindsay bore the full press of his weight and heat, her fingers digging into the hard planes of his back.

In the frantic friction of entwined limbs and urgent contact, something broke loose from her lower body—pain, yes, but something beyond that too.

All she could hear by her ear was Ashton's rough, searing breathing, tangled with the sounds she fought to keep contained.

The dull slap of skin against skin, the whisper of moving fabric, and the faint knock of teeth against teeth filled the darkness, sending heat rushing to her face.

After what seemed like an endless stretch of time, the fierce tangle between them finally began to ease.

Ashton lifted himself off her, his breathing still uneven, the heat of what had just happened lingering in his movements.

He didn't say anything at first. He simply watched Lindsay in silence for several seconds. Then he bent toward her. His lips brushed against her forehead—light, almost weightless, and completely unexpected.

A moment later, he picked up the suit jacket lying discarded on the floor and draped it carefully over her bare skin.

The oversized material still carried his scent, enveloping her instantly.

Once he was done, he didn't spare her another glance. He turned away and headed straight into the en-suite bathroom.

The door clicked shut behind him, and not long after, the steady sound of running water followed.

A few minutes later, Ashton stepped back out.

His hair was damp, droplets sliding down from the strands at the front. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, the fabric darkened where it clung to his skin. The hunger that had burned in his eyes earlier had disappeared. In its place were focus, restraint, and composure.

"Now, tell me your plan," he said.

Lindsay didn't respond right away. Instead, she pulled the torn fabric over her chest and held it in place. "I'll explain when the time is right. Just don't forget your promise, Mr. Clarke."

"I always keep my word." He moved closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. "But if you're lying to me, the cost will be more than you're prepared to pay."

"That applies to you too." She met his eyes steadily. "If I find out you double cross me halfway through, or decide I'm nothing more than a piece you can throw away…"

A quiet laugh left her lips, hollow and cold. "Someone with nothing left to lose doesn't scare easily. And if I'm going down, I'm gonna drag whoever I can with me."

They held each other's eyes for a moment. The tension between them remained thick and unmoving.

Ashton looked at her a second longer, something unreadable flickering across his face.

"Go."

Lindsay left the hotel. Her phone vibrated again. It was still Tyler.

"Honey, the driver said he didn't find you. Where are you? I'm worried."

She stared at the message, at the insincere concern in every word, before slowly typing a reply.

"Honey, I'm still not feeling well. I think I've just been too stressed lately. I took a cab home already. I want to get some rest tonight."

Then she flagged down a passing taxi, gave the driver the address, and sat quietly for the rest of the ride.

As the car made its way through the city streets, she looked out the window indifferently.

The wind outside felt like it passed straight through her, but the anger inside her, fueled by betrayal and humiliation, only intensified.

Tyler, Jenna, and everyone in that room who had laughed. For every single thing they had done to her, she would make sure they paid for it with interest.

When the taxi finally stopped, Lindsay stepped out and walked toward the grand mansion ahead.

Once inside, she moved without hesitation. She washed away every trace of what had happened, changed into clean clothes, and had just settled onto the couch when she heard the front door open and familiar footsteps approach.

Tyler entered quickly, his face arranged into obvious concern.

Jenna followed closely behind him.

Tyler crossed the space between them and pulled Lindsay into a tight embrace, holding her so firmly it made breathing difficult.

"Honey, you had me worried sick! The driver said he couldn't find you anywhere. I thought something might've happened."

What a convincing act! A wave of cold disgust rose in Lindsay's chest.

She let him hold her, her expression nearly blank.

Tyler leaned slightly, his cheek close to her ear.

A faint, soft, and familiar scent reached her nose—Jenna's perfume, the one she wore all the time.

Lindsay's body tensed just slightly.

Tyler didn't notice. He only tightened his hold.

She glanced down, and through the slight opening at his collar, she saw it.

A fresh, unmistakable kiss mark, vivid against the skin near his collarbone.

There was even the faintest imprint of teeth along its edge, a small, telling detail that made it painfully clear just how completely the person who left the mark had lost control in that instant.

Lindsay's stomach lurched.

She gently slipped out of Tyler's embrace, swallowing hard against the nausea rising in her throat. "I'm okay. I just feel really drained all of a sudden, and my head's a bit light… I've probably been under too much pressure lately, preparing for IVF."

"Sweetheart." Tyler instantly resumed that perfectly rehearsed gentleness, smoothing a hand over her hair. "We don't have to rush the baby plans. It'll happen in its own time. Your wellbeing matters more than anything."

Lindsay looked up, her eyes drifting past him toward Jenna.

Tonight, Jenna had on an off-white cashmere dress, something soft enough to make her appear fragile and demure.

"Jenna, you're here too? Did Tyler call you?" Lindsay managed a faint, strained smile. "It's already so late. Sorry you had to come all the way here."

Jenna stepped forward immediately, enclosing Lindsay's hand in both of hers, her fingers noticeably cool. "What do you mean? Tyler was worried sick about you. How could I stay home knowing that? You look terrible. I'll go heat up some milk for you."

As she spoke, she turned and made her way to the kitchen with familiarity, as though she were the one who truly belonged there.

Soon after, Jenna returned with a steaming mug and gently urged Lindsay to drink.

Lindsay accepted it and took slow sips. The warmth slid down her throat into the chill of her stomach, but it offered no real comfort.

Tyler lowered himself beside her, his tone soft. "Take it easy. Drink slowly, and then get some rest. Try not to think about anything."

At that moment, a flicker of jealousy passed through Jenna's eyes.

A wave of disdain swirled in Lindsay's chest.

Then, as though something had just occurred to him, Tyler's voice grew even more solicitous. "Oh! Your birthday's coming up, Linds. How about I host a birthday banquet for you this weekend at Cloudland's rooftop garden? We'll invite your closest friends and make a night of it."

Cloudland was the city's most exclusive rooftop garden hotel, both exorbitantly priced and nearly impossible to book, famed for its luxury and privacy.

Cradling the warm mug in both hands, Lindsay moved her eyes gradually from Tyler's soft smile to Jenna's face behind him, the corners of her mouth already beginning to drop. Then Lindsay squinted and smiled brightly at him.

"That sounds lovely. Thank you, honey. You're always so thoughtful."

Tyler returned the smile. "If I don't spoil my wife, who will?"

The remark made Lindsay's stomach twist all over again.

"Oh, and I had a diamond necklace custom-made for you," Tyler added, pulling a red velvet box from his pocket. He flipped it open to reveal a sparkling diamond necklace inside.

"Let me put it on you." Without waiting for her response, he leaned in and fastened it around her neck.

Taking a small step back, he looked at her with obvious satisfaction. "Perfect. It looks beautiful on you."

"I actually think the design feels a bit outdated," Jenna said before Lindsay could respond. "The newer styles are much nicer and probably more your style."

As she spoke, her fingertips brushed lightly against Tyler's hand before he had fully withdrawn it. Her expression remained innocent, but the challenge in her eyes was unmistakable.

Already losing her composure? Lindsay scoffed silently.

Tyler's face tightened slightly, a trace of warning flickering in his eyes.

Jenna acted as though she hadn't noticed. Then, all at once, she gasped softly and covered her mouth, adopting a look of exaggerated remorse. "Oh no, Lindsay, I completely forgot you're turning twenty-six this year. Maybe those younger styles wouldn't really suit you anymore. I'm so sorry."

Her lips curled upward again, and this time, the smug satisfaction in her smile was impossible to hide.

"I actually think," Lindsay replied, raising her eyes to meet Jenna's directly, "that many of those so-called trendy designs come across as superficial. Once you take a closer look, they don't really stand up, and the craftsmanship tends to feel subpar."

She let the words hang, her smile growing more pronounced. "But that kind of bold, eye-catching style really does complement you, Jenna. You should consider wearing it more often."

The pleasant little smile Jenna had been maintaining instantly stiffened.

She understood perfectly well what Lindsay meant. Lindsay had just labeled her a knockoff, someone who clung to passing fads, lost relevance quickly, and could never truly embody sophistication.

Jenna turned toward Tyler, her face changing into one of distress and confusion. Her eyes grew red almost instantly, tears welling up so fast that she appeared painfully vulnerable.

Tyler's arm remained draped around Lindsay. At her words, he simply dipped his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Lindsay's hair. "You're right, honey. When it comes to diamonds, timeless designs are always more polished. Chasing after whatever's trending…" He trailed off briefly, his tone calm but curt. "It comes off as a bit superficial. Not exactly graceful."

Jenna's eyes filled with tears almost at once. Her voice quivered, adding to the impression of vulnerability. "Y-You're right. I just don't understand these things well enough. How could I possibly compare to you, Lindsay? With Tyler taking such good care of you, anything would look beautiful on you. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said anything."

Suppressing the nausea stirring in her stomach, Lindsay gave Jenna's hand a light pat. "You'll find a good man someday too. Actually, have you given any thought to what I mentioned last time? My friend is still waiting to hear back."

Jenna's smile faltered for the briefest second. "What are you talking about?"

"Introducing you to someone," Lindsay answered, her voice deliberately a little louder. "The Parker family's second son. He just returned from studying abroad. He's good-looking and well-mannered. I think you two would get along really well."

Tyler's brow creased slightly, and the arm around Lindsay slackened for a moment.

"Lindsay, I'm not really interested in dating right now…" Jenna said, forcing a polite smile. "I'd rather spend more time with you."

"That's sweet, but you'll need your own life eventually," Lindsay replied, her tone gentle, almost sisterly. "What, do you plan to never marry and just stay with Tyler and me forever?"

Jenna's complexion paled a little more, and her eyes flicked toward Tyler before she could stop it.

Tyler spoke at last. "Lindsay's right. Jenna, it's time you started thinking about your own future. I've met the Parker boy; he's a reliable choice."

Jenna's eyes turned red again immediately.

She bit her lower lip and looked at Tyler with resentment, as though silently accusing him.

Tyler didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he redirected his attention to Lindsay, his tone softening once more. "Honey, let's go choose a dress for you tomorrow."

"Alright," Lindsay replied, putting on a bright, cheerful smile.

Watching the color drain from Jenna's face, Lindsay felt nothing but cold disdain.

That fragile, injured act had fooled her more times than she could count, and behind that gentle exterior, Jenna had undermined her in ways she might not even be fully aware of yet.

"Lindsay, I…" Jenna began, her voice catching as though she wanted to say something more.

Lindsay didn't allow it. She let out a perfectly timed yawn. "Honey, I'm really tired. I want to go to bed."

"Okay. I'll take you upstairs," Tyler said.

Roughly thirty minutes later, after confirming that Lindsay had fallen asleep, Tyler gently eased his arm out from beneath her, rose from the bed with as little noise as possible, and quietly stepped out of the room.

Lindsay slowly opened her eyes, completely awake.

Barefoot against the cold floor, she moved silently toward the guest room door, which had been left slightly open.