The Woman in Room 808

When Isabella walked out of the hospital, it was already late into the night.

There were no stars in the sky, and even the moon hid behind layers of dark clouds. Only a few scattered cars moved along the empty streets.

She had to admit that although Vanessa’s plan had been crude and reckless, it had still achieved its purpose in the end.

Reputation damage.

Vanessa always attacked the things Isabella cared about most.

Gabriel, for example.

Her parents.

Sometimes, Isabella even found herself doubting her own existence, wondering if everything truly was her fault. Was she really that unbearable? Was she truly so terrible that everyone around her eventually grew to hate her, despise her, and abandon her?

For the first time in a long while, exhaustion seeped into her bones.

Even if she eventually achieved all her dreams… even if she climbed to the top someday…

Would anyone genuinely care?

In the end, she was still alone.

Isabella wandered absentmindedly along the roadside, completely lost in thought. She failed to notice the black plateless car quietly trailing behind her.

When she finally walked into a quieter stretch of road, two men suddenly rushed out from the vehicle.

One forcefully covered her mouth and nose with a wet cloth while the other restrained her arms and tied her up.

Everything happened within seconds.

By the time Isabella reacted, the drug was already taking effect. Her limbs rapidly lost strength, and her vision blurred.

A bitter smile appeared on her pale lips.

After being framed, now she was being kidnapped too.

This birthday really was lively.

The car drove for what felt like forever.

A black cloth covered her eyes, preventing her from seeing where they were headed. The drug made her mind sluggish, but she still forced herself to stay conscious.

Vanessa?

No… it didn’t seem likely.

Vanessa had already won completely today. There was no need for her to do something extra.

Then who?

Who else had she offended recently?

As countless thoughts flashed through her mind, a voice suddenly sounded beside her.

“Hello, CEO Durges… Yes, we’ve got her already. We’re on the way now…”

The man laughed crudely.

“Right, right, don’t worry! We’ll definitely deliver her on time! Damn, this girl’s prettier than expected. Even my brother and I are getting tempted! Hahaha—”

Another pause.

“How could we dare? We definitely won’t touch her! We’ll send her over untouched!”

Fear crept into Isabella’s chest.

CEO Durges?

Suddenly, her mind flashed back to the incident at the Grand Pearl Hotel.

Edwin Durges.

The disgusting man she had accidentally encountered that night.

Her expression darkened instantly.

So he hadn’t given up.

After failing once, he had actually gone as far as kidnapping her.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that this was exactly what had happened.

She silently cursed under her breath and tried forcing herself to think of a way to escape, but the drugs rapidly overwhelmed her consciousness.

Darkness swallowed her whole.

…

When Isabella regained a faint trace of awareness again, she discovered that the blindfold was still covering her eyes.

Her head throbbed painfully.

Voices floated around her vaguely.

Two women.

She couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying, but she could feel hands stripping away her clothes before dressing her in something thin and silky.

Then flower petals brushed across her skin.

Perfume.

A sweet, expensive scent lingered heavily in the air.

Something about this situation immediately felt wrong.

With Edwin’s disgusting personality, there was no way he would patiently arrange all this for a woman.

If he truly wanted her for himself, he would’ve touched her the moment she arrived.

Instead, they were changing her clothes, decorating the bed, spraying perfume…

It was obvious.

She was being prepared for someone else.

—

Earlier that evening.

Edwin Durges had heard that several influential businessmen would be attending a private gathering tonight.

Most importantly—

Alexander Sterling would be there.

Edwin had rushed over early and prepared everything meticulously.

Expensive antiques.

Fine wine.

Beautiful women.

He had practically exhausted every trick possible.

Yet Alexander Sterling remained completely unmoved.

The priceless antique Edwin had obtained with tremendous effort was treated like worthless trash.

Even the carefully selected beauty he had hinted at offering over was ignored with a single indifferent glance.

Alex’s expression had remained as cold as ever, as though he were merely looking at vegetables in a marketplace.

Just as Edwin was beginning to panic, the call he had been waiting for finally came.

“Hello? Why are you only calling now?” Edwin barked impatiently. “Is it done?”

“Yes, it’s done. We’re already on the way!”

“Hurry up! Bring her over within ten minutes! Room 808! Don’t get the room wrong!”

“Don’t worry, Chairman Durges!”

Edwin lowered his voice threateningly.

“If either of you idiots touch her, forget about the remaining payment. That woman is important to me. Not a single hair on her head can be harmed!”

After ending the call, Edwin finally relaxed slightly.

Not far away, Alexander Sterling sat lazily on a high chair beside the pool.

Under the dim lighting, his sharp features appeared even colder and more distant.

He glanced at the time on his watch before adjusting his sleeves, clearly preparing to leave.

At that moment—

Splash!

A man suddenly emerged from the swimming pool.

Water scattered everywhere as he slicked back his wet hair carelessly.

His tan skin glistened beneath the lights, revealing defined abs and an unfairly attractive V-line that could make countless women lose their minds.

The man grabbed onto Alex’s calf dramatically before he could walk away.

“Hey! Alex!” he complained loudly. “I personally invited you tonight, yet you’re leaving after barely thirty minutes? We’re at a drinking party and you haven’t even touched alcohol! There’s wine, women, music—what exactly interests you in life?!”

Alexander frowned immediately.

“Let go.”

From behind them, Julian approached while holding a wineglass, amusement obvious on his face.

“Declan, haven’t you noticed?” Julian laughed. “My bro’s heart clearly isn’t here tonight. The fact that he stayed thirty minutes already means he gave you face.”

Declan Vale leaned lazily against the poolside.

“If his heart isn’t here,” he drawled, “then where is it? It’s not like he has a woman.”

Julian snorted.

“Who said he doesn’t?”

Alex shot him a dangerous look.

Julian coughed awkwardly.

“I mean… he’s working on it.”

Declan froze dramatically.

“What?!”

He stared at Alex like he had just been betrayed by humanity itself.

“That’s too much! Didn’t we agree we’d stay brothers forever? Whoever got a woman first would be a traitor!”

Alexander looked at him expressionlessly.

“I don’t remember agreeing to something so stupid.”

Julian burst into laughter.

“Declan, you’re the only one committed to living like a wandering peacock. My bro already has a son. Obviously he needs to find a mother eventually.”

Declan narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Who’s the woman?”

Alex ignored him completely and strode toward the exit.

“Damn!” Declan shouted behind him. “Bros before hoes!”

Julian hurried after Alex while still laughing.

Right then, Edwin suddenly rushed over toward them, sweating heavily.

“CEO Sterling! Mr. Sterling!”

Julian raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? Chairman Durges. Why are you running like your life depends on it?”

Edwin immediately handed over a gold room keycard with both hands.

“CEO Sterling… this is just a small gift from me. Please accept it.”

Anyone could tell exactly what kind of “gift” was waiting inside that room.

Alex clearly had no interest in dealing with him. To avoid wasting time, he casually accepted the keycard and continued walking forward.

Seeing him take it, Edwin nearly cried from relief.

Meanwhile, Julian looked incredibly intrigued.

“Whoa…” he muttered. “Durges really went all out this time. Bro, are you seriously not interested?”

Alex remained silent.

Julian immediately grinned shamelessly.

“Since you already have your eyes on Isabella, you definitely won’t touch this one. How about giving the room to me instead?”

Alex flicked the keycard carelessly toward him.

Julian caught it perfectly with two fingers.

“Thank you kindly~”

He glanced down at the number.

“Room 808? Damn, even a presidential suite.”

Humming cheerfully, Julian headed toward the hotel elevators.

After reaching the top floor, he casually swiped the card open.

Before entering, one random thought crossed his mind.

What if the woman inside fell in love with him at first sight and refused to let him leave?

After all, he was a proper gentleman.

He only engaged in proper romantic relationships.

The moment the door opened—

His gaze landed on the massive bed covered in red rose petals.

A woman lay quietly in the center.

Flower petals partially concealed her body, but he could still vaguely make out the sheer nightgown clinging to her curves… along with a pair of long, pale legs capable of driving any man insane.

Julian whistled softly.

“Damn…”

“Looks like Edwin really sacrificed blood for this one.”