Chapter 3

The whispers started again as Liam unzipped his trousers. They were different this time. The women' s voices were hushed, filled with a shocked fascination. The men' s were a mix of envious grunts and nervous laughter. Chad and Brad exchanged an uneasy look. They were paid to be the center of attention, the prized bulls in Scarlett' s arena. They weren't prepared for this.

Liam' s body wasn' t just fit; it was a testament to years of silent, focused rebellion. Every muscle was defined, a roadmap of discipline etched under his skin. He stood there in his boxer briefs, completely still, his gaze locked on Scarlett. He offered no shame, no defiance, just a chillingly calm obedience.

This wasn't the reaction Scarlett wanted. She wanted him to crumble. She wanted to see him beg, to see the shame break him. His composure was an act of defiance more powerful than any angry words. It infuriated her.

"What are you all staring at?" she suddenly shrieked, her voice shrill. "Get out! All of you, get out now!"

Her inner circle, startled by her sudden rage, scrambled to their feet. Tiffany tried to touch her arm.

"Scarlett, honey, what' s wrong?"

"I said get out!" Scarlett shoved her friend away. "Everyone! Leave!"

The guests, accustomed to her volatile moods, fled without a word, grabbing their coats and bags. Within minutes, the massive penthouse was empty, save for Liam, Scarlett, and her two hired companions, Chad and Brad, who looked utterly bewildered.

The doors clicked shut, plunging the room into a tense silence. Scarlett' s chest was heaving, her beautiful face twisted with fury. She stalked toward Liam, her silk robe flowing behind her.

"You think you' re so clever, don' t you?" she spat, her voice a low growl. She got right in his face, so close he could feel her hot breath on his skin. "You think that little stunt with the divorce papers means you' ve won? You think this... this body... means anything?"

She slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in the silent room.

Liam didn' t flinch. He just turned his head back to face her, a red mark blooming on his cheek.

"You are nothing," she hissed, her voice thick with venom. "You are a pathetic charity case. Your father was a failure who had to come crawling to mine, and you are just like him. A weak, useless man."

The mention of his father was the only thing that could reach him through the numbness. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes, but he quickly extinguished it. He would not give her that.

He remained silent, his body still, his breathing even.

His calmness drove her to a new peak of madness. She looked at Chad and Brad, who were watching with a mixture of fear and arousal.

"You two," she commanded, pointing a long, manicured finger at Liam. "I paid for a service. He seems to think he' s better than you. Show him his place."

Chad and Brad looked at each other, then at Liam. They were opportunistic, not truly violent.

"What do you mean, Ms. Hayes?" Chad asked hesitantly.

"I mean, I want him to do the job I told him to do," she said, a truly sick smile spreading across her face. "He' s going to 'coach' you. Get on the couch."

She shoved Chad and Brad toward the large white sofa. Then she turned back to Liam.

"Get the champagne you were supposed to buy," she ordered. "And then you' re going to stand right there and watch. You' re going to tell them exactly what to do. Every single step. You are going to direct this pathetic little show for me."

Liam' s mind went blank. The world narrowed to the sound of his own blood pounding in his ears. This was it. This was the bottom. He had thought he' d hit it before, but he was wrong. This was a new, deeper hell she had created just for him.

He turned, his movements robotic, and walked toward the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of champagne. He didn't look at the label. He didn't look at anything. He just followed her command, his mind retreating to a place where none of this could touch him. He was an actor in the final, most degrading scene of a play he never wanted to be in.