"Sir, lunch is ready." As Charles approached, George quickly stepped up, acting like he didn't notice the woman in his young master's arms punching and pinching him.
"Bring it to the room," Charles said flatly, loosening his hold on Ashley, then marched into the room with her in his arms.
"Behave yourself. Don't make me angry." He gently placed her on the bed and reached for her hand, worried the bedsheets might've scratched her palm.
But Ashley dodged.
The second her feet touched the ground again, she tried to dart past him for the door.
Her sudden move snapped that rare softness in him. Without much effort, he reached out and grabbed her back with one hand. "Still trying to run?"
"You might as well just kill me!"
Backed into the room again with the door blocked, Ashley's bright eyes flared with frustration, her cheeks flushed red with fury.
"You-" Charles clenched his jaw, all the patience and gentleness were buried deep inside, with anger ready to explode, when George's nervous voice called from the doorway, "Sir, lunch is here."
Charles took a deep breath, then another, forcing the anger down. "Serve Miss Carter."
"I'd rather starve than eat anything from you!"
"Oh yeah?" Charles didn't seem mad-instead, he smiled coldly. He yanked her back into his arms so that their bodies pressed together. "Well then, I don't mind feeding you by mouth."
"You... you wouldn't!" Ashley stared at him, speechless. Was he joking or seriously out of his mind?
"Bring the food over," Charles ordered without looking back, a cold smirk on his face.
The servant rushed the meal cart over.
He picked up a fork, stabbed a piece of foie gras and put it in his mouth. Seeing her eyes go wide in disbelief clearly amused him; the grin in his eyes deepened. He didn't chew, just held the bite as he slowly leaned in toward her.
Oh my god, he's actually doing it!
"Fine! I'll eat, okay?!" Ashley saw his face getting closer by the second. Panicked, she threw her hands between them and turned her head away.
Satisfied with her surrender, Charles finally stopped and straightened up.
"Keep an eye on her. I don't want to hear about her trying to run again," Charles told the nearby bodyguards, his tone sharp and no-nonsense.
"This is illegal detention! You can go to jail for this!" Ashley stared at him, shocked that he was still going through with keeping her locked up.
"Then let's see who's got the guts to put me in jail," Charles shot back before letting go of her and walking straight out of the room.
"Wait! Don't just leave! Let me go! What's the point of locking me up like this?" Ashley rushed forward, trying to catch up.
"Miss Carter, please stop right there," one of the guards stepped in, blocking her path politely but firmly.
"Your boss really got the wrong person! I swear I'm not who he's looking for!" Ashley raised her right hand as if taking an oath.
"Please don't make things difficult for us, Miss Carter." The guards bowed slightly and shut the door in her face.
Seriously? Is there no one here who's capable of having a normal conversation?
She turned around with a heavy sigh, staring at the now closed door.
"Miss Carter, your meal is ready." George announced, his voice formal and emotionless.
Miss Carter this, Miss Carter that. One of these days, they're gonna drive her insane with all that politeness.
Even though every fiber of her being screamed not to, Ashley reluctantly walked over and picked up the fork. She wasn't about to wait till that jerk decided to feed her himself. Knowing him, he might actually do it.
"Hey... can I borrow your phone for a sec?" She looked up at George, trying her luck.
"Sorry, Miss Carter. That's not something I'm allowed to do." George gave her an apologetic smile.
"I just remembered something urgent. It'll only take a minute, I swear!" She pressed on, unwilling to give up so quickly.
"Then I shall inform the young master. You may tell him directly," George replied, already turning to leave.
"Wait!" Ashley panicked. Bringing that guy back was the last thing she wanted. "Actually, never mind. It's not that urgent anymore. No need to bother him."
"As you wish, Miss Carter. Please enjoy your meal." George resumed his butler stance.
So much for the rescue mission. Ashley lowered her head in frustration, turning her attention back to the food on the table.
The dishes looked and smelled amazing, no doubt... but they tasted like nothing to her.
Huh... the fork?She glanced at the fork in her hand, and a sudden idea popped into her head.
