"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be home with your husband?" he asked, his voice low as he looked down at her swaying figure. Before she could answer, she stumbled forward and collapsed into his arms. Instinctively, he caught her and held her steady before she could fall to the floor.
"I want to be with you," she muttered, her words slurred as she weakly hit his chest with her fist. The strong scent of alcohol wafted up to him, confirming what he already suspected.
Without wasting a moment, he sighed. "You're drunk," he said under his breath but his grip on her remained firm.
"I'm doomed," she whispered dramatically, her body going limp as she rested against him. "I'm a dead person," she mumbled, waving her hands aimlessly in the air.
He shook his head, his jaw tightening as he bent down, lifting her into his arms and carrying her inside.
As he placed her gently on the bed, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer until he was on top of her. Her glassy eyes, hazy from the alcohol, locked onto his. "Don't leave me," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Please… don't leave me."
His breath hitched as he froze. "You need to rest," he said softly, trying to steady himself. But her grip on him only tightened and the look in her eyes made it impossible for him to move.
"Ryan," she whispered, her voice soft as her fingers brushed against his cheek.
Her chest rose with a shaky breath. Ryan's gaze flickered downward for the briefest moment before locking back onto her eyes as emotions swirled within them.
In a heartbeat, faster than either of them could process, their lips collided. The kiss was intense, charged with all the tension and unspoken feelings that had built up between them.
Their breaths mingled as the kiss deepened, their hands instinctively reaching for each other. The passion burned so fiercely that they had to break apart momentarily, gasping for air, their foreheads resting against one another.
"Lena," Ryan murmured before their lips were drawn to each other again like magnets.
….......….
Anderson Mansion
"I don't want to work here anymore. Please... let me go!" Kristen pleaded as she dropped to her knee, tears streaming down her face. "I promise, I'll never show my face here again," she sobbed.
Max appeared at the top of the staircase his expression cold and unreadable as he began descending slowly. "No one's going to hear you scream," he said as he adjusted his sleeves and fixed his piercing gaze on her.
Kristen quickly scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide with fear. Her body shook as she backed away, only to hit the door behind her. The impact startled her which caused her to bounce forward slightly as she clutched the door handle frantically.
"I... I want to go home," she stammered, her fingers fumbling to twist the locked knob. The realization that the door wouldn't budge only deepened her panic.
Max reached the bottom step, his presence commanding as he took a deliberate step closer. "Tell me who sent you," he demanded, his voice sharp and unyielding.
"No one sent me! Please, believe me!" Kristen cried as she backed away unsteadily. Her wide, fearful eyes stayed locked on him, tracking his every move.
Max's relentless approach left her no choice. The moment he was close enough, Kristen summoned all her courage and bit his hand hard. Max hissed in pain, clutching his hand as she darted past him, her heart pounding wildly. She sprinted through the house, desperately searching for an escape.
Everywhere she turned, the exits were locked.
Drive by desperation she rushed upstairs, her bare feet pounding against the steps. Seeing a door slightly open, she darted inside and slammed it behind her. She pressed her back against the door and gripped the handle with all her might as panicked breaths escaped in short gasps.
Then, she heard it...footsteps approaching. Her heart sank as a soft beep echoed through the room, signaling another entryway had opened. Max emerged from a hidden doorway, his dark silhouette looming as he stepped toward her.
"Please, don't hurt me," Kristen whimpered as she cowered against the wall, flinching in fear.
Max's expression stayed unchanged. He tilted his head and asked in a voice that was sharp and frosty, "Why are you in my life?"
With tears blurring her vision, Kristen shook her head. "I... I never wanted to marry you! I swear, I was tricked into it," Kristen stammered, her words spilling out in desperation.
"And what makes you think I'll believe you?" Max snapped, He grabbed her arm with force. With one firm pull, she stumbled forward and lost her balance.
Before she could react, she fell onto the bed, her body sinking into the plush mattress. A gasp escaped her lips as fear surged through her. Max loomed above her, his intense gaze locking onto hers.
Kristen's breath hitched when Max's hand wrapped around her neck and he squeezed it firmly. Her eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively gripped his wrist, her trembling fingers futile against his strength.
"Do you know what you've caused?" Max growled, his grip tightening as he pressed her on the bed.
Her lips parted but no words came out. She didn't plead, didn't beg. All she could do was clutch at his hand, her wide, tear-filled eyes locked on his furious gaze.
"I won't let you go until I find out the truth. You're my prisoner," Max said as he leaned in closer, his face just inches from hers. "And when I do, if I find out you've been lying to me...if there's any reason you stepped here other than what you claim...I'll make you regret it."
He threatened, "I'll torture you until you beg for mercy. And when I'm done, I'll kill you with my own hands." he added.
Kristen's grip on his hand tightened, her nails digging into his skin, but she still said nothing. Silent tears streamed down her face as she fought to stay upright, her body trembled violently.
Max held his grip for a moment longer, his gaze fixed on her as if searching for a hint of guilt in her eyes. Then, with a final, harsh squeeze, he let go. Kristen collapsed on the bed gasping for air, her hands instinctively clutching at her throat.
Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving her trembling and gasping.
….......…
Morning in the Anderson house
"There's an issue with the deal we signed a month ago, they're all backing out," Mr. Green reported as he met Max in the hallway of the Meyer's hotel.
Max glanced at him sharply. "How is this possible?" he asked, his tone filled with disbelief.
"Mrs. Anderson," Mr. Green said as he stepped aside slightly to face her. Max turned toward her as well.
"Congratulations to you too. I wish you..." He stopped mid-sentence as he stole a glance at Max before continuing, "The meeting with your parents will start soon. I'll take my leave now."
With a polite nod, Mr. Green walked away, leaving Lena standing there.
She watched him disappear down the hall before stepping closer to Max.
"Why didn't you call me for the meeting?" Lena demanded.
"I would have if I'd been able to reach you," Max replied curtly.
Lena quickly changed the topic. "I got a call this morning. They told me you bailed her out. Why would you do that?"
Max's gaze darkened. "I have my reasons. I'll keep her close until I learn what I need to know."
Lena swallowed hard, her unease was evident. "There's no need for that. She belongs in jail... out of our lives. Do you even understand?" she argued.
"You're not the one to decide that. I was trapped here," Max said, his tone sharp as he walked away. "See you at the meeting."
"What if he finds out more and realizes... that I was the one who tricked her?" Lena murmured to herself. "I need to take him away until I know what to do with her."
"This union is more than just a marriage, Erik," Mr. Valtor began, swirling the glass of brandy in his hand. "It's a merger...a symbol of strength between our families."
Erik nodded, a sly smile playing on his lips. "And profitable for both sides, Valtor. With your company expanding into Asia, and mine firmly rooted in Europe, we'll dominate the global market. Lena and Max together seal that trust."
Erik leaned forward, his smile unwavering. "Trust me, Lena understands her role. She knows how much is riding on this, and she's prepared to keep Max... on the truck."
Valtor let out a low chuckle, though his eyes remained serious. "My son is not an easy man to control. He's stubborn. If he catches a whiff of manipulation, he'll burn everything to the ground....deals and all."
Just as they were talking, Max and Lena entered the room.