Chapter 2 Don't Touch Me

Adeline recognized the voice-it was Waylon, the man from that night.

Memories of that night flooded back to Adeline. A tightly closed room, an oppressive atmosphere, clothes torn to shreds. He had lurked like a predator in the shadows, ruthlessly tearing everything apart. With his heavy breathing, her world had gradually collapsed, reduced to nothing but dust.

Recalling these events, Adeline's face drained of color. She spun around, planning to escape, but his hand firmly grasped her wrist.

...

Oliver and Khloe were nowhere to be seen.

Adeline was forcefully pulled into a stretch limousine and pushed onto the plush leather seats, her arms pinned by her sides.

The unfamiliar surroundings made her uneasy, and the ensuing silence amplified her anxiety, nearly consuming her with fear. She hardly dared to breathe, a cold sweat forming on her forehead.

Suddenly, someone seized her foot.

"Don't touch me-" Adeline gasped, unable to hold back a soft cry of panic.

"Shh." Waylon was sitting opposite her, his gaze lowered to her foot as he held it gently, his voice soft and enticing, like a whisper meant for a partner. "It's heartbreaking to see you hurt like this."

Her skin was soft as silk, her toes small and perfectly formed, resembling an exquisite sculpture. Yet, the beauty of her foot was marred by mud and bloodstains.

Adeline remained silent. It felt as though her foot was searing on hot coals, yet she couldn't break free.

Zain Steward, the butler of the Holden family, stood quietly outside the limousine, observing the scene unfold within.

Inside the limousine, Waylon opened a medical kit with one hand, carefully cleaning Adeline's foot with a cotton swab to remove the blood and dirt. His touch was gentle, his deep-set eyes focused intently on the task, his handsome features showing no emotion except for what seemed like concern for the delicate foot he held.

However, Zain, who was watching, knew Waylon's intentions were not as generous as they appeared.

Zain cleared his throat and turned to Adeline, who was visibly pale. "Ms. Sullivan, I'm sure you understand our purpose. We simply wish to know the father of the child you are carrying."

The question made Adeline flush with embarrassment, her lips pressed tightly together as she refused to answer. That fateful night in the nightclub a month earlier had been her first time, and Waylon, more than anyone else, should know the truth. Now, a month later, being pregnant and questioned in such a manner implied accusations of her being promiscuous since that night. Yet, her sexual behavior, or lack thereof, wasn't their real concern. Their true intent was clear...

As expected, the next moment, Zain continued, his tone polite yet chilling, "We will soon take you to the Holden family's private hospital for recovery."

Adeline's suspicions were confirmed. The Holden family could not afford the scandal of an illegitimate child. Regardless of whether the baby was actually a Holden, it was not acceptable. Given this, asking the previous question was just to humiliate her, wasn't it?

Adeline took a moment to steady her breath before responding in a raspy voice, "Mr. Holden, please know that Oliver and Khloe were the ones who had orchestrated the night a month ago. I am just as a victim as you. I have no hidden agenda."

Waylon remained silent. He continued treating her wound with the care of handling a fragile artifact, his expression unreadable, giving no sign of whether he heard her plea.

Adeline added, "I do not want this baby either, but my body cannot handle an abortion. Please, give me a chance to live. I will leave and never return to Kaiphia. No one will know of your illegitimate child." Her voice was nearly a plea.

But as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a sharp pain. "Ouch..."

Waylon had pressed the cotton swab too hard into her wound, observing the blood flow before slowly meeting her gaze. As her face paled with pain, he allowed a cruel smile to form on his lips. "Ah, so you consider yourself quite innocent, do you?"

Adeline stayed silent, bracing herself for what he would say next.

"Unfortunately, I, Waylon Holden, do not believe there's a pregnancy that cannot be ended."