Chapter 4 The Ruse

The next moment, a tall, imposing figure emerged from the hotel and slipped into the car that pulled to a stop next to Alison. Just as the door was about to shut, Alison darted in after him. Trying to make the situation appear genuine, she called out sweetly, "Honey."

Worried Damien wouldn't buy it, she pressed herself against the man's arm, playing the role of a devoted wife. From an outsider's perspective, they were the epitome of a loving couple.

The man whose arm she clung to was clearly the cold and indifferent type. He parted his thin lips and spat, "Get out."

Alison was too busy eyeing Damien warily that she didn't get a good look at the man's face. She tugged at his sleeve and pleaded through gritted teeth, "Please help me. I promise I'll pay you for this later."

The man pinched Alison's chin and forced her to face him, his voice dropping to its freezing point. "Are you going to get out of this car yourself, or shall I throw you out?"

Wait a second. His voice sounded a little familiar...

Sure enough, when Alison raised her head, she met Nicholas' cold, indifferent eyes.

With the window still ajar and Damien lingering right outside, Alison made a split-second decision. She wrapped her arms around Nicholas' neck and pressed her red lips against his, silencing him.

But before launching into this daring act, she commanded the driver, "Drive."

It was the first time the driver had seen his boss treated in such a way by a woman, and in his shock, his hands shook, causing the car to lurch forward.

Once she felt the car had traveled a sufficient distance, Alison released Nicholas and was about to pull away when she realized she couldn't budge.

Only then did she realize Nicholas was holding her by the waist. His gaze was so frigid it felt like she would turn into a block of ice on the spot.

"Thanks for the help, Mr. Bowman," Alison said quickly, sensing something was amiss. "How much do you want? I did promise to pay you."

Suddenly, Nicholas' grip around her waist tightened, sending a wave of heat through her that made her heart race. He pulled her closer until their faces were just a breath apart. "Never again," he warned, his voice like a cold wind.

Alison hurriedly nodded, her body trembling slightly.

Just as Alison thought her end would come, Nicholas abruptly released her and barked at the driver, "Stop the car and let her out!"

The car screeched to a halt, and Alison stepped out, her breath catching in her throat as she watched the vehicle disappear down the street. Relief washed over her, though she couldn't help but feel a trace of lingering fear.

Inside the car, Nicholas adjusted his tie with his long fingers. His Adam's apple bobbed as an inexplicable surge of heat coursed through his veins, particularly when he recalled the moment Alison perched herself on his lap.

Memories of the night before flooded his mind-her long legs wrapped around his waist, her cries echoing in the throes of passion. She had seemed so fragile, so easy to dominate.

Body aching, Alison finally made it home. She wasted no time in rushing to the bathroom, longing for the comfort of a warm bath. As she caught her reflection in the mirror, her eyes widened in shock. Red marks littered her neck and chest, evidence of the previous night's roughness.

She angrily rubbed at them, but they refused to fade.

Her face flushed as memories of Nicholas' passion in bed resurfaced. She had felt like a tiny boat on a stormy sea, tossed about mercilessly, never knowing when the tumult would end.

Images from last night were forever seared into her mind, vivid and unyielding.

As Alison soaked in the tub, exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted into a fitful sleep. She awoke with a start, choking on water, her body burning hot and her head pounding with pain.

Realizing she was running a fever, she quickly downed some pills and stumbled back to bed, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Hours later, the incessant ping of messages from her work group chat roused her. Groggy, she checked her phone.

"Did you guys hear the news? The actress, Paige Higgins, is planning to divorce her husband. And Braydon Higgins, her husband, is going to be represented by our rivals at Brilliance Law Firm. So, now, our firm's aiming to get Paige as a client."

Paige, the award winner for Best Actress? Alison's frown deepened as she forced herself awake, her mind racing.

This kind of high-profile case was a goldmine of fame and fortune, promising a steady stream of lucrative opportunities.

Alison had joined Apex Law Firm straight out of law school, and through sheer perseverance and hard work, she had clawed her way up to become a partner.

Every achievement had been hard-won, and she wasn't about to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

Just then, a message from her assistant, Archie Payne, popped up on her phone. "Alison, rumor has it that Paige and Nicholas are very close. She's currently filming a movie and has entrusted everything to him."