04

Outside the grand Granger Family's mansion, Elena RoseFord stood motionless, her body as stiff as ice. Her gaze remained fixed upon the ground, her expression vacant and distant. 

She was adorned in a vibrant red shoulder-length dress, its hue a stark contrast against her pale, fair skin. The fabric clung delicately to her perfect figure, accentuating her curves and highlighting her grace. In her carefully chosen ensemble, she appeared akin to a fragile red rose.

Though her exterior seemed serene, beneath the surface, her emotions swirled, a tempest of thoughts and feelings she struggled to contain.

Damon Donovan nodded in satisfaction and warned her in a low voice, "This is a big event we're going to. You would better behave well and do not make any trouble. Otherwise, there will be consequences."

After forcefully grabbing Elena's arm, Damon led her through the imposing entrance of the Granger family's mansion. The weight of his touch lingered on her skin, an unwelcome reminder of his control over her.

As they entered the grand hall, all eyes turned toward Elena, their gazes filled with a mix of curiosity and admiration. Her presence commanded attention, her elegant demeanor and captivating beauty captivating those who laid eyes upon her. 

Whispers of awe filled the air, their voices carrying a hint of envy, for Elena had become an object of desire and fascination.

Damon, basking in the attention bestowed upon him through Elena's presence, relished the feeling of being the center of envy among other men. The tightening grip on her arm was not only a physical display of dominance, but also a possessive gesture.

Elena felt a mixture of discomfort and frustration as Damon's grip tightened, a silent assertion of his power. The glances from the onlookers, while momentarily flattering, served as a stark reminder of the gilded cage in which she found herself trapped.

"Look at these fools. They think they can have my woman," Damon muttered.

Internally, Elena smiled. For one night, she belonged to another man, not Damon, and that made her happier than she had been in three years.

On the other side of the vast hall, Aaron and Harley descended the stairs of the mansion. Harley kept talking non-stop. And as soon as Aaron went downstairs, he saw a beautiful figure and stopped.

"What are you looking at?" Harley questioned, his own curiosity piqued.

Aaron, still entranced by the woman in red, found his voice subdued as he replied, "Who is that?"

Following Aaron' gaze, Harley saw the beautiful woman in red. "Hey, would you look at that! She's quite the beauty, isn't she? How is it I haven't crossed paths with her before? But I do recognize the man beside her. That's Damon Donovan, the head honcho of the Donovan's Phantom Group. Rumor has it, he's a rising star in the business world, a force to be reckoned with. The Phantom Group's been making waves for a good few years now..."

Aaron did not say a word, but his eyes fell on the woman once again.

He remembered the instance her soft and delicate fingers ran across his body, his heart beating wildly at her every touch.

Of course, Aaron didn't go to clubs to have fun. Those were his places of work, and he never slept with any of those women. But there was something different about the woman who grabbed him by the arm and asked for his services.

That night he clearly remembered the way that woman was able to unlock the inner hunger and desire in him. It was an unforgettable experience to say the least. Especially when she is this hot and sexy... all the more reason he would never forget her.

'And I thought I wouldn't be able to find her.' Aaron had resigned himself to the belief that he would never be able to locate her, yet destiny had intervened, granting him another chance. The woman who had stirred a flame within him now stood within reach.

"Let's go talk to this Damon then," Aaron said, already walking toward the couple in the center of the hall.

"Of course, sir," Harley followed.

Aaron was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the country. Some admired him, others feared him. But everyone made way for him to pass, as if he were some kind of god.

Harley, ever the amiable companion, offered a warm greeting to Damon and Elena, his voice filled with genuine delight. "Good night. I am glad to see you both here."

Damon responded with a polite nod, acknowledging Harley's presence. "The pleasure is ours," he replied.

Elena's gaze brushed against Aaron's, sparking a subtle yet undeniable connection that sent a shiver down her spine. She flashed him a coy smile, her lips parting to reveal a hint of intrigue. "It's truly a pleasure," she purred. "I'll leave you to your conversation." She gracefully excused herself, leaving behind a trail of subtle perfume and lingering glances as she vanished into the bustling crowd.

Aaron, his attention never wavering from Elena, observed her every move with an intensity that mirrored a hawk's unwavering focus. His gaze lingered upon her retreating figure.

The man found himself torn between curiosity and caution. There was something about her, an allure that stirred a fire within him, a desire to uncover the secrets she carried. 

Why did she use a fake name?

Why was she at the club?

Why did she betray her husband?

As he watched her vanish into the distance, he resolved to seize any opportunity that would bring him closer to her.

Aaron nudged Harley, who was standing next to him, "You go ahead, I'll come back later."

He then followed the steps of the lady to the bathroom.

Elena was in front of the mirror, staring at her own green eyes with boredom and discomfort. She patted her face with a napkin, feeling physically and mentally exhausted. Damon had always been a calculative person - he had always brought her along whenever he needed to attend such important events.

Honestly if the RoseFord family did not need Damon and his financial support, she would not give a piece of mind to those men who had always given her dirty looks. But for now, she must bear it all.

After taking a moment to freshen up, Elena emerged from the bathroom, feeling a renewed sense of composure. As she stepped into the corridor, her eyes fell upon a man standing with his back against the wall. 

She froze in place. He wasn't like the other men in the hall (vultures and repulsive, leering at her shamelessly). He was naturally sexy and attractive.

His posture, though relaxed, held a certain disarming quality that intrigued Elena. His mere presence exuded a captivating aura, drawing her attention like a magnet. For a brief moment, time seemed to pause as she took in his features, her curiosity piqued.

With cautious steps, she approached him, her eyes fixed upon his form. The corridor seemed to narrow, the rest of the world fading into insignificance as their paths converged.

There was a spark of recognition in Elena's eyes, a glimmer of familiarity that she could not quite place. As she drew nearer, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension danced within her heart.

Elena's thoughts raced, her mind searching for answers to the questions swirling within her. 

Who was this man? 

Why did he look more familiar than he should?

Step by step, she closed the distance between them, her curiosity overshadowing any hesitation. Elena's heart thudded in her chest.

When she passed by the man, he grabbed her arm.

"Do not you recognize me?" the man's voice oozed with a hint of intrigue, his words laced with a magnetic allure that sent a shiver down Elena's spine. 

Her eyes locked onto his captivating gaze, drawn deeper into his presence.

As Elena allowed her gaze to sweep over the man's figure, a surge of desire coursed through her veins. Every feature of his face exuded a sensual magnetism, from his chiseled jawline to his piercing eyes.

If she had encountered him before, she knew without a doubt that his stunning visage would have been etched into her memory.

"I am sorry, sir," she finally responded, "I am afraid you've mistaken me for someone else."

The man's own smile deepened, his eyes shimmering with a mixture of intrigue and amusement. His charm seemed to radiate from every pore. 

"Oh... is that so?" he murmured, his voice a velvet caress that sent a shiver down her spine. With a firm grip, he pulled Elena closer and pressed her against the wall, their bodies igniting with a magnetic intensity. "What about this? Do you remember me now?"