เข้าสู่ระบบ“I wondered why, though,” Atlas said. He was close to her now, both of them standing in front of the mirror, the rest of the large room behind them. “Yes, Atlas, why would I try to sedate Elara?” “Interesting that you would use that exact word.” Amelia scoffed. “Come off it. You're grasping at straws.” “You said Darren served drinks at your little party,” Atlas went on. “Can't repeat it enough,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “Elara doesn't remember that.” “Well, she was bloody drunk, how was she supposed to remember anything?” “Yes, that was brilliantly played, getting her drunk, while somehow being sober yourself.” Amelia whirled around, her dress slipping from her shoulder. “If you want me out of the way so you could sink your claws into Elara, just say it.”“On the contrary, Amelia, it seems you're the one who wishes to sink your claws into her.” He drew closer, even as she yielded a step. “But first, let me tell you about a man named Victor Lang. Ring any bell?” Amelia
“Right.” Atlas shook his head slightly. “This is different, though. It’s under your roof, and what you were given was still harmful.” Elara sighed, shutting her eyes. “And you suspect Darren.” Before he could give a reply, Amelia walked in. she was wearing corporate attire, her hair done back in a ponytail and she headed straight for the bed. “I just spoke with Doctor Winston,” she said. “You’ll be fine, thank God.” Elara’s smile was weak. “Thanks, aunty.” “And don’t you worry about the business, dear,” Amelia added with a soft smile. “It’s in safe hands.” Then she turned to Atlas. “The staff said you locked the dancing room.” “I did.” She lifted a brow. “May I know why?” Atlas leaned back slightly. he looked incredibly tired in that moment, but his voice was steady when he replied, “Because Elara got poisoned inside it.”“I wasn’t poisoned!” she called out on the bed. Amelia crossed her hands. “Well, this is my house, and you can’t just lock up-” “I thought we talked about
“Oh yeah?” She hit his chest again, harder. “Fuck…you.” Atlas still didn’t move. He only looked down at her with an unreadable expression.Then Amelia stepped between them quickly, grabbing Elara's arm.“That’s enough for tonight,” she said. “Come on.”Elara let herself be steered toward the door, still throwing one last glare at him over her shoulder. On the way out, Amelia dropped her voice to whisper. “You can’t be seen hitting him like that. He's a lord, what were you thinking?””“He’s not a lord,” Elara muttered. “Just some rich spoiled brat who happens to be attractive.”Amelia gave a soft chuckle. “He certainly is attractive.” She glanced at Elara’s face. “You don’t look well. You should lie down.”Elara opened her mouth to argue, when suddenly, the hallway tilted in her vision. Everything seemed to be spinning fast, and nausea rose sharp in her stomach.“Yeah…I don't think I feel so good,” she agreed. “Elara?” Amelia's voice was echoing in her head. She barely made it to t
“I gotta finish this up first,” Elara said, pointing at the sketchbook. “You can draw at any time you please,” Darren replied, getting to his feet. “Besides, I need a change of drink.” She started to protest again, but he yanked the sketchbook out of her reach. “Come on, up, up.”She made a face, but he was already heading for the door. “Please tell me you have a good space to party,” he called over his shoulder. “You're going to get lost, if someone doesn't escort you properly,” she called back. Then after a second’s hesitation, she got to her feet and followed after him, eventually leading him to one of the many rooms that she had converted. “Welcome to the newest addition to the Harrington estate,” she said, spreading her arms. “I got it installed a week ago. The place was becoming too quiet.”Darren laughed. “What is it?” “A dancing room.” “A dancing room?” He turned in a slow circle, taking in the padded floor, the many lights, the new speakers. “I didn't know you could
Arnie drove the car with one hand on the wheel like it had offended him. In the back seat, Alex made small unhappy sounds every time the car hit a bump. “Still don't know why you brought the kid,” Arnie muttered. “I can’t afford a babysitter,” Logan replied in a rough voice. He sat in the passenger seat, eyes bloodshot, the smell of whiskey still clinging to him. Arnie shot him a disgusted look. “Then you really are broke. Funny how you’re not too broke to hire a private investigator.”“I don't need the criticism, Arnie, really.” “Oh don't you start acting smart with me,” Arnie snapped. Logan didn’t answer, shifting his gaze to the view outside the window. Arnie and Donald were the only companions he still had, even though they were miles ahead of him in life. He wouldn't dare to piss either of them. Especially not at this point in time. “And why the fuck do we have to go meet him?” Arnie asked suddenly. “He should be getting his ass over to come see you.” “Must be something re
“A line,” Atlas repeated, lifting his brows slightly.Elara nodded once. “We’re supposed to help each other. Not stumble each other.”“Stumble each other?” He let out a low chuckle and settled on the edge of the desk, close enough that his knee brushed hers. “You sound…odd.” “I'm just saying it as it is.” “This is unlike you.”“Well, get used to it.” “and what line are you talking about, exactly?”She shrugged, though he could see her cheeks turn red. “Kisses or touches or whatever shit you use to lure your ladies in.”“Ladies are not fish, I don't lure anyone in.” Her eyes flickerer to him. “That's not what it looked like last night.”Atlas’s mouth curved into an amused smile. Leaning down until he was mere inches away, he asked, “Is this about something else?”She blinked at him for a few seconds…then a small drop of melted ice cream slid from her spoon and landed on her shirt. “Shit-”Before she could reach for a napkin, Atlas leaned in completely, flicking his tongue against







