"Miss Langston, you might be new here, but that's alright. You haven't seen how many newbies I've trained who eventually became famous. Just look at Daphne. She was once as clueless as you are now. Fortunately, our Daphne here picks up new things quickly and does as she's told. I'd say she understands the rules we play by too. Look at how famous she is now. I say, Miss Langston, if you grow to appreciate and abide by our rules, there's nothing you can't achieve."The man's sleazy words, barely hidden behind courtesy, gave her the urge to flip the soup bowl in front of her and pour the boiling liquid down his face in a fit of rage. While she wasn't familiar with whatever rules he was talking about, she understood what he was implying. Scarlett would never agree to any of that and would never stoop to the level of playing dirty just to get what she wanted. If she were truly that kind of person, her qualifications would've skyrocketed her fame so much that it would've long surpassed Daphn

Jonathan did not give her the chance to hesitate or argue before scooping her up and carrying her, bridal style, to his own room. His expression was dark, foreboding—as if he couldn't wait to tear her apart and savor whatever was left of her.Along the way, her heart pounded with fear. How she wished she could faint—at least if she did, she wouldn't have to see with her own eyes the events that were about to unfold.Scarlett knew that Jonathan was not one to forgive and forget, at least, not so easily. Her appearance together with Ezra definitely had infuriated him. Not only that, the fact that she had confided in Natalie about their past would surely push him off the edge. She could imagine how angry he currently was, but even if she could, it didn't mean she was ready to be on the receiving end of his palpable rage.In her defense, she never thought she would encounter him at the entrance of the hotel earlier. It wasn't something within her control, and Jonathan had not given her the

Even though Scarlett knew that leaving was not an option, she had to ask because she was obsessed about leaving, a thought that mattered so much to her. Jonathan was a devil in her eyes. If it weren't for him, she could have lived a happy life with Justin without even getting married.She woke up early the next morning because Jonathan rose early. He seemed to have forgotten about the incident from the night before and looked refreshed, nothing like the man who inflicted torture on her. Anyway, she wouldn't want to go against him, not because he instilled fear in her last night, but because she learned that the more she fought against him, the more he clung to her. She had probably used the wrong tactic against him all along. She shouldn't have rebelled. Perhaps, if she acted demure and obedient like the other women, nothing would have happened between Jonathan and her. He might even grow tired of her after a few days. By then, she would not even need to be let go or "discarded like tr

The opulent surroundings added to Scarlett's discomfort, making her feel like a fish out of water. It was dinner time when the men finally wrapped up their discussion. Oddly, Mr. Weissman might have been warned off by Jonathan because he had stopped openly leering at her. Although she felt more at ease, she wondered if Jonathan had pulled something on Mr. Weissman. Not only did Mr. Weissman treat her with more respect, but he also looked meek throughout dinner as well.She silently grumbled at having to witness the drama between the two men. Even though she was clueless about their dynamic, she assumed they must have been bound by a business relationship in which Jonathan had the upper hand.Even though a feast was laid out for her, she had no appetite at all. She wished that the dinner would end soon so she'd be free from boredom. However, time ticked away at its usual pace.Noticing her bored expression, Jonathan thought she was being a Debbie Downer. Irked at her lack of enthusiasm

Unfortunately, Mr. Weissman asked the wrong man for help. Jonathan was even angrier at Mr. Weissman, and he punched Mr. Weissman in the face, leaving the man bleeding and confused. "Mr. Leonard, w-what are you doing?"Soon after, Mr. Weissman was kicked hard by Jonathan, which only added to his confusion. He no longer saw Jonathan as the man he used to respect. At that moment, Jonathan seemed like a different person altogether.Jonathan was finally satisfied after he left Mr. Weissman immobile on the floor. He thought, "Son of a bitch! How dare he lay a finger on my woman?"When he turned around, he saw Scarlett slumped on the ground as she succumbed to the influence of alcohol. Her dazed eyes were sparkling, and he almost forgot to breathe for a moment. The woman was a vixen, he decided, as he felt a heat rising in his body.Although Jonathan did not drink much that night, he felt as though he was under the influence—under Scarlett's influence. Feeling unsettled because of the heat, h