Steady footsteps approached, and the scent of someone drew near...
Before Rebecca Quentin could react, she was embraced from behind.
Howard Geoffrey’s voice, thick with desire, whispered in Rebecca Quentin’s ear, "Baby..."
Rebecca Quentin spun around, feigning surprise. "You... you’re back?"
Howard Geoffrey’s muffled voice was close to her ear. "As soon as I hung up with you, I boarded a plane and came right back."
Rebecca Quentin gently pushed Howard Geoffrey away, asking, puzzled, "But why?"
Howard Geoffrey impatiently kissed Rebecca’s lips, his voice husky with desire. "I miss you. Every time I hear your voice, I can’t control myself."
Howard Geoffrey began to undo her nightgown.
But tonight, the moment Howard’s fingers touched the buttons of her nightgown, Rebecca quickly covered her chest with her hands.
Howard Geoffrey paused. In the darkness, his eyes gleamed. "What’s wrong? Don’t you miss me?"
Rebecca Quentin clutched her nightgown tightly and scrambled off the bed.
Howard Geoffrey followed, his tall figure looming before her.
Facing him, Rebecca Quentin backed away in fear until she hit the wall.
Howard Geoffrey quickly trapped her, his arms encircling her waist, his voice laced with a teasing indulgence. "Baby, what did I do wrong this time?"
Staring into the inscrutable depths of Howard Geoffrey’s dark eyes, Rebecca realized she couldn’t confront him head-on; doing so might prevent her escape. So, she channeled her fear into anger, retorting with feigned annoyance, "Don’t touch me. I find you disgusting."
Howard Geoffrey frowned.
"I just saw the news this afternoon. Apparently, you weren’t behaving yourself in T City."
Howard Geoffrey asked patiently, "Baby, what are you talking about?"
"The media reported you took a model to a hotel last night," Rebecca pointed out sharply.
"A model?" Howard Geoffrey feigned ignorance, then a smile touched the corner of his lips as if he’d just recalled. "I admit, I was discussing business with the head of Shenhe Industries at a hotel last night. He did indeed offer me such a beauty."
Rebecca Quentin’s small face contorted. "And you dare say it?"
Howard Geoffrey approached Rebecca Quentin, smiled, and kissed her pouting lips. "How could those cheap imitations compare to you? I have no interest in them."
Rebecca pushed against his chest. "I don’t believe you."
Howard Geoffrey pulled her hand from his chest, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Then why don’t you verify it yourself..."
Rebecca blurted out, "How?"
"..." Howard Geoffrey guided her hand to his waistband, pressing it against the hardness there.
Men and women are different. Men can be heartless yet still feel desire, while women, if heartless, typically feel no desire.
Because of this, enduring Howard Geoffrey’s advances these past few nights had truly taken its toll on Rebecca Quentin. She couldn’t just lie there like a log while he did as he pleased; she felt disgust, irritation, heartache, and profound discomfort, but she had managed to suppress it all.
Thankfully, Rebecca Quentin had finally received a call from Christine Quinn that morning. Christine Quinn had told her over the phone that she’d arranged for a fake identity. As long as Rebecca could leave the Geoffrey estate, she could vanish from Howard Geoffrey’s world whenever she chose.
There had been many opportunities to leave the Geoffrey estate when Howard wasn’t home, but his sudden return had disrupted all her plans. After consulting with Christine Quinn, Rebecca decided to make her escape on the night of Mrs. Geoffrey’s birthday. She reasoned that Howard would be preoccupied with social obligations that evening, giving her a definite opportunity to slip away.
Thus, the plan to leave was set for the night of Mrs. Geoffrey’s birthday.
Time passed quickly. Tonight was the night Rebecca Quentin had chosen to leave.
Since the birthday banquet was being held at the Geoffrey estate, the entire household had been bustling with activity since early morning.
Rebecca Quentin spent the entire day on edge, her anxiety lasting until nightfall.
When the evening lights were lit, Rebecca Quentin, dressed in a white, shoulder-baring gown, descended the stairs from the second floor, arm in arm with Mrs. Geoffrey. Every guest in the Geoffrey family’s grand hall turned their gaze towards them.
She had deliberately applied heavier makeup tonight, so not many recognized her as Howard Geoffrey’s ex-wife. Nevertheless, she looked stunning and graceful. Her appearance with Mrs. Geoffrey instantly sparked speculation among the many guests.
Some whispered she was a niece or some other relative of Mrs. Geoffrey. Others conjectured she might be Howard’s new sweetheart—the reason he had canceled his engagement to Christine Quinn. Still others remarked on her familiar appearance, some even noting a resemblance to Skyler Jones’s fiancée. But no one could say for sure...