Chapter 2

Kylie took a nervous step back until her back hit the cold wall.

"Jonathan, what are you doing?"

Her voice trembled, and deep down, she knew this man had enough power to do whatever he wanted in this place.

Jonathan's voice was low and rich, but his eyes were dark. It was as though they could swallow her whole. His fingers slowly slid down her cheek, lightly cupping her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Kylie, I'll say it again. I won't allow my woman to be in a place like this."

The touch was both familiar and alien, sending a shiver through Kylie's body. She stiffened instinctively, her cheeks flushing slightly. But the humiliation of being discarded made her resist him even more.

"I'm not your woman anymore. Have you forgotten? You abandoned me last week."

Jonathan paused, taken aback by her words. For a moment, he was speechless. But soon enough, his desire flared again, and his lips curled into a smirk.

"Not my woman? I'll make you mine right now!"

With that, Jonathan pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her waist and pushing her down onto the sofa. His other hand slid down her bottom, and without warning, he hoisted her thigh up.

Kylie's body jerked in response, her eyes widening as she stared at Jonathan, memories of their first night together flooding back—the same nightclub, the same private room, three years ago.

Jonathan gripped her chin tighter, bending down to bite her lips. His movements were rough, aggressive, as though he was claiming her once more.

"Let go of me!"

Kylie fought with all her strength, pushing against him.

But Jonathan wasn't relenting. His lips moved to her neck, kissing and biting as his long, lean hand slid beneath her skirt.

In a panic, Kylie grabbed the small cup from the coffee table beside the sofa and swung it at Jonathan's head.

He staggered back, stunned, his forehead swelling immediately with a dark bruise as blood began to seep from the cut.

Kylie was breathless and terrified, and she didn't hesitate. She scrambled to her feet, rushing to the door and bolting out of the room.

Once outside, she collided with Lily, who was walking by.

"What's going on? Why the rush?"

Kylie mumbled quickly, trying to hide her fear.

"The guest had too much to drink. I'm fine. I just need to clean up."

Lily gave her a suspicious look. This room didn't have a client tonight. Her suspicion grew as she noticed Jonathan stepping out of the room, his hand pressed to his head. His forehead was already swelling and bleeding.

"Mr. Sinclair... a-are you alright?"

Lily immediately understood that Kylie had crossed a line with Jonathan.

Jonathan was someone no one could afford to offend. If Kylie had truly angered him, life in this place would become unbearable for her.

In the dressing room, Kylie stared at her reflection in the mirror, her disheveled appearance starkly evident. The love bite on her neck stood out, a mark of what had just happened.

Jonathan had treated her like that, but even as he did, she couldn't help but notice that she had soaked through her underwear.

Jonathan was her first. Over the past three years, every encounter with him had been intense, each time a dizzying mixture of pleasure and submission. Her body had long been accustomed to his touch. Even in that moment of aggression, she had found herself wanting to respond in kind.

But now, all she felt was frustration and anger.

Lily pushed the door open, entering the room with a sympathetic expression.

"You need to apologize to Mr. Sinclair," she urged, her voice low. "Whatever happened earlier, you need to make it right. Those people... they're not people we can afford to anger."

Kylie knew the reality. The men in that room, especially Jonathan, were the elites of Jorundale. Offending any of them would end badly for her, but angering someone as influential as Jonathan?

That was a disaster waiting to happen.

She didn't want to make things harder for Lily, and she couldn't afford to lose this high-paying part-time job. Her brother, Kevin Cooper, was in the hospital, and she still had to pay his medical bills every month. The thought made her grit her teeth in determination.

"I got it." Kylie nodded resolutely.

She returned to V8, where she found Jonathan already sitting in the center of the sofa. Samuel was beside him, speaking to him. He lounged with one arm draped around an up-and-coming starlet and the other swirling a glass of whiskey.

The woman was draped over him like a snake, her hands freely roaming across his chest. Jonathan didn't seem to mind, letting her touch him without protest.

The bandage on Jonathan's forehead stood out, the white patch stark against his skin. His shirt collar revealed a faint trace of lipstick, clearly from when Kylie had struggled earlier.

As soon as Jonathan saw Kylie, his attractive eyes filled with an edge of anger.

The room grew silent.

Earlier, everyone was talking about who had the nerve to offend Jonathan, and it turned out to be a hostess. Now, everyone was waiting to see what Jonathan would do to this hostess who had dared to cross him.

Suddenly, someone from behind shoved Kylie roughly.