Chapter 12

Upon seeing the name 'Jessica' on the screen, Stanley came to his senses.

He was in disarray, his clothes half-wet, marks from Wendy's kisses all over him, and his breathing uneven. Just moments ago, he had been aroused.

He was actually aroused by Wendy!

Stanley didn't like Wendy. He attributed everything to the fact that he was just a man who couldn't resist the temptation of a stunning woman.

Pressing the button, Stanley answered the call. He felt guilty toward Jessica—so guilty that his voice carried an unusual softness. "Jessica."

From Jessica's end came the sound of heavy metal music. Her voice was sweet as she said, "Stanley, I'm at a bar right now."

"No drinking. Have your assistant get you some milk," Stanley said.

"Got it. My assistant always listens to you. Stanley, come join us. I'm waiting for you," Jessica responded.

Stanley turned to leave.

But just then, a small hand reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

He turned around to see Wendy, completely drenched. Her wet dress clung to her body, accentuating her curves. Her eyes were red, and she clung to him with all her strength, refusing to let go.

Stanley moved slightly, trying to pull his sleeve free from her grip. But Wendy stubbornly held on, her reddened eyes fixed on him.

Stanley opened his mouth to speak, but Wendy suddenly lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, "Don't go, I'm begging you."

Years later, though Wendy had grown up, she realized she was still afraid of being abandoned. She was afraid of standing alone on a bustling street.

Stanley had no choice. From the phone, Jessica's voice could be heard again. "Stanley, are you listening? Come here now."

Wendy stood on tiptoes and called out, "Big Brother!"

'Big Brother!'

That title was exclusively tied to the girl from years ago.

But wasn't that girl Jessica?

Stanley's expression abruptly changed. "Jessica, something urgent has come up. I can't make it."

Ending the call, Stanley pushed Wendy against the wall. His gaze was dark and piercing. "Who told you to call me 'Big Brother'? Wendy, who exactly are you?"

Wendy clung to his neck and kissed his lips. Her soft, rosy lips pressed against his, exuding a sweet fragrance. It was a clumsy attempt at seduction.

Stanley didn't close his eyes but simply looked at her. She didn't close hers either, her watery, expressive eyes staring back at him.

Stanley suddenly realized Wendy's eyes looked strikingly like those of the girl from years ago.

Wendy kissed him for a while. Seeing no reaction from him, she pulled back, deciding to let it go.

She turned to leave.

Just then, Stanley tightened his grip, pulling her slender body firmly into his embrace. His overpowering presence enveloped her as he lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

-

At the bar, Jessica sat at the counter with her assistant.

"Jessica, isn't Mr. Hawk coming tonight?" her assistant asked.

Jessica grew suspicious. Something felt off during the earlier call, as though someone was with Stanley.

She immediately called Benny. "Benny, are you with Stanley tonight?"

"No," Benny replied, "but Stanley did call me. It sounded like some woman had been drugged."

Benny suddenly thought of something. "Jessica, could Wendy be the one drugged?"

Stanley didn't have much of a personal life, with only Jessica in the picture before. Now that Wendy was around, it wasn't hard to guess.

Jessica clenched her fists in anger. 'So Stanley was with Wendy!'

But soon, she smiled and turned to her assistant. "Get me some drugs."

"What kind of drugs?" the assistant asked.

Jessica smiled as she playfully uttered, "Aphrodisiac."

-

In the villa's bathroom, Wendy was kissed so thoroughly that her legs gave out, and she started to sink to the floor.

Stanley's strong arms wrapped around her waist, holding her upright.

Wendy's cheeks were flushed red when the sound of a ringtone broke the moment. Stanley had an incoming video call.

It was from Jessica.

Stanley glanced at Wendy before answering the call.

Jessica was seated at the bar, a drink in front of her, smiling. "Stanley, is Wendy with you? Did she get drugged?"

Stanley didn't respond.

Jessica pulled out a packet of powder and poured it into her drink, downing it in one gulp.

Stanley frowned. "Jessica, what did you just drink?"

"Aphrodisiac," Jessica replied with a dazzling smile.

Wendy's eyelashes trembled. She hadn't expected Jessica to drug herself.

Stanley's handsome face darkened. "Jessica!"

Just then, a tall, handsome man approached Jessica and struck up a conversation. "Hi, beautiful. Can I buy you a drink?"

Jessica pointed at her phone. "This is my boyfriend, but if he doesn't get here in thirty minutes, I'm all yours tonight."

The man raised an eyebrow.

Stanley's voice turned icy. "Jessica, what are you doing?"

Jessica's expression was vibrant, her tone spoiled and domineering. "Stanley, tonight you can only choose one—me or Wendy."

With that, Jessica ended the call.

Stanley's grip on his phone tightened, the veins on his hand bulging as fury burned in his eyes.

'Stanley, you can only have one woman.'

'Mom, you can only have one daughter.'

The eerily similar words echoed like a curse in Wendy's ears, leaving her frozen in place.

The warmth of Stanley's presence was gone as he stepped away. Looking up, Wendy saw him changing out of his damp clothes into a fresh shirt and trousers at lightning speed.

Stanley returned, his dark gaze landing on her. "What's your type?"

"What?" Wendy was momentarily confused.

Stanley continued, "I'll find you a man—or two, if you'd prefer."