บททั้งหมดของ Corrupt Temptation: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

SLOAN.The night that had promised the familiar relief of physical release had instead become a restless inward agony. The heavy silk sheets were a physical reminder of the recent intimacy as I lay on my back gazing up at my beds dark canopy. A picture of post-coital contentment, the blonde woman next to me was soundly asleep with even gentle breathing. Its true that we had a long night of sex that was sweet and unfiltered. By all accounts it had been pleasurable—the familiar crescendo of pleasure the rehearsed movements. However a chilly knot of uneasiness twisted in my stomach and would not go away. Concern yourself. The unwanted irrational feeling that was churning inside of me was that. Stress. For whom? For what? It was an unfamiliar idea a flaw I had methodically eliminated from my life decades prior. The foundation of my existence and my empire was the lack of such crippling emotion. However it was there a corrosive acid eating away at my poise a deep unease that kept my eye

VICTOR My office's mirror wall reflected the vast uncaring fabric of New York City, a million glimmering rays against the pitch-black darkness. Despite its imperceptible beauty the night was at peace but my thoughts were a raging whirlpool of calculating anxieties and icy alarming observations. I twirled the amber-colored glass of aged brandy in my hand, its warmth a sharp contrast to the cold certainty that had taken root in the pit of my stomach. The amber liquid caught the distant glow of the city. Cold and sharp as broken glass my mind reenacted the scene from earlier that night a macabre scene etched in my mind. That girl. Ivy. I felt a chill go down my spine. The idea of her still being able to roam around this mansion and spread her infection made me shudder. I detested Sloans behavior, the man I had faithfully served for decades and who I knew more precisely than most. I knew Sloan was the real leader of The Crimson Order and he would always be there. He had never protecte

IVY.“Come with me Ivy” he had said in a flat emotionless voice making me feel like the biggest idiot in the world. As though he hadnt just mentally and practically physically undressed me, he had pivoted and strode out of my room only to yank me back and abandon me like a forgotten piece of laundry. That man had such nerve! My lips were still tingling from the spectral promise of a kiss a cruel reminder of how easily he could play with my very unwelcome and pitiful desires. “You jerk.”I muttered to myself, my voice heavy with unshed tears and a new wave of embarrassment. I had no choice but to clench my hands into fists. I followed him even though my entire being cried out for me to turn around and flee in the other direction to withdraw into my room and maybe to chew on the duvet until I reached nirvana. As if the frightful principal were calling upon a very irate and emotionally damaged student. Yet again. His broad shoulders exuded a sense of complete indifference as he walked

IVY.I had whispered thin and strained barely breaking the heavy silence of the corridor. For an incredibly long moment the figure—a dark blurry silhouette against the darker darkness—remained motionless. Already beating frantically against my ribs my own heart nearly attempted to escape from my chest. It was this. The protagonist of the horror film defies common sense and investigates the eerie noise at this point. Apparently I was resolved to be that main character. The figure then made a move. To turn and disappear around the next corner disappearing deeper into the darkness rather than respond to or acknowledge my frightened query. My natural investigative instincts which typically involved pointing and yelling chose to come into play. A self-destructive obstinate force my curiosity just wouldnt go away. I was still raw from the horrible realization that I felt something for Sloan and the memory of the blonde woman in his bed. I felt a strong desire to comprehend and take some

IVY.Sophia’s tea badly aimed and hot spattered her silk blouse leaving a dark stain that spread quickly. Her joyful demeanor was completely shattered as her shocked eyes stared at me. A sudden chilling tension that was thicker than the air in Sloans office just before he decided someone needed a lesson replaced the room's cozy warmth as soon as it began to fade. I jumped up from my chair exclaiming “Oh my God! Sophia are you okay?” Given the horrified look on her face it was obvious that the question about Victor had struck a nerve and that nerve was covered in acid and barbed wire. My detective instincts which are still based on guess and flail reasoning told me right away that Victor was bad news. Horrible, terrible news. I hurried back to her after swiftly grabbing a handful of napkins from the coffee table. My abrupt uncontrollable gaze shifted to her wrist as I gave them to her. I noticed a tiny nearly undetectable object just above the edge of her blouse where the fabric h