Chapter 111 "Right away!" Elliot's face tightened as he spun on his heel and bolted. He asked no questions and wasted no breath. Sydney had to be in trouble. Penelope's nails dug into her palm. "Mr. Sterling, maybe she's just out of reach for the moment. There's no need to-" Julian's merciless hawk-like eyes slashed across her. The look alone silenced her, leaving her trembling. Even Caleb thought he was overreacting. "Julian, aren't you making too big a scene over nothing?" "I won't just search. I'll investigate." Julian's voice was flat and cold, every word forced through his teeth.
"I want to know who dared to make a move right under my nose." On the 21st floor... Sydney trembled all over, forcing herself to stay calm, though terror roared inside her. The truth was that she was terrified of Victor. What girl would not be scarred after, at barely 16, a man had kicked in the bathroom door while she was showering? That trauma never left her. And now it was happening again. Only this time, he was smarter. This time, he had drugged her. The chemicals still clawed at her system, and the only way she could cling to clarity was by biting down hard on the tip of her tongue.
"What if Julian comes looking? Aren't you afraid of him? You know his temper. Do you really think Grandma can shield you?" Sydney could not even remember when things had soured between Julian and Eloise. All she knew was that after he sent her back to the estate, the two of them had grown colder and colder. They barely spoke, and when they did, it was all steel and sparks. There was no warmth of kinship left at all. Victor flinched at the mention of Julian but quickly steeled himself. "And if he does want payback?
You think if I let you go now, he'll let me off?" "I can choose not to tell him." He gave a sharp, derisive laugh. He raised his hand and slapped her cheek lightly, savoring the softness of her skin. The touch sent fire surging through his body. Then he yanked at her clothes. Watching her flinch and twist away only drove his frenzy higher. "Sydney, I might not measure up to Julian, but I'm no worse than Caleb! If he can fuck you, why can't I? You think you're too good for me?" "I'm scared!" Her voice cracked, trembling like her whole body.
She trembled violently, like a trapped bird, at his looming closeness. Victor scowled. "The fuck are you so scared of? Still think you're some untouchable little virgin?" "Victor..." Her eyes reddened, shame breaking through her voice. "I really am scared. I've never slept with Caleb." "What did you just say?" His eyes lit up, shock and delight flashing across his face. "You know he already loves someone. That's why he never touched me." She bit her lip and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Victor, could you..." The way she kept saying his name melted him to the bone.
"Could I what?" If she dared ask him to let her go, he would strip on the spot and take her until she could not beg anymore. Unexpectedly, she did not. She only whispered tentatively, "Could you not be too rough?" Victor had not expected to be gifted her "first time." A request like that? That was nothing.