When she woke again, light had already flooded the entire room. Virelle blinked, staring at the familiar bedroom, unable to tell what she was feeling inside.
“Virelle, you’re awake? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
Grayson’s voice sounded from above her, prompting Virelle to tilt her head. He was sitting by the bedside, looking at her with a complicated gaze.
And within it... there was even a trace of worry and heartache?
Virelle mocked herself inwardly at the fleeting thought.
How could he possibly feel worried and heartache for her? Perhaps even if she had died in that pitch-dark storage room, he wouldn’t have cared in the slightest.
“The doctor said you’re afraid of the dark. The fear, combined with your injuries not yet healed, is why you fainted.”
“I’m sorry, Virelle.”
Grayson’s voice grew hoarse, lowering in tone. Virelle turned her head toward the wall, offering no response. Her eyes were hollow and empty, as if devoid of any emotion.
“However, it was also because you hit Selene first. I only wanted to teach you a lesson.”
“If you had apologized and made peace with Selene back then, things wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
Virelle closed her eyes, as if she hadn’t heard anything.
There it was, this was Grayson’s true voice. No matter what happened, she was always the one at fault.
Her fist clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. Virelle bit down hard on her lip to stop herself from lunging forward and slapping him.
“But don’t worry, Virelle. Selene is kind-hearted, she’s already forgiven you.”
Seeing Virelle remain silent, Grayson assumed he was right and continued in a gentler, coaxing tone. However, at that moment, Virelle opened her eyes and looked straight into his.
The corner of her lips curled into a mocking smile.
“I will never need forgiveness from a shameless mistress.”
“If you’re here just to say things that make me sick, then get out.”
Virelle’s voice was hoarse, yet it was the first time she had openly lashed out at Grayson. After a few seconds of stunned silence, irritation flashed across his face as he abruptly stood up.
“Very well, Virelle! You still refuse to admit your mistake, don’t you?”
“Fine. Stay at home alone these days and reflect on yourself!”
“Until you realize your fault, don’t contact me.”
Grayson roared in anger, his low, hoarse voice echoing through the quiet room. He strode straight toward the door, bang.
It slammed shut in front of Virelle.
...
In the days that followed, Grayson truly disappeared. However, Virelle still knew where he was through the photos and videos Selene sent.
He had taken Jaxon and Selene traveling around the world, capturing pictures together like a perfect family.
Grayson held Selene in his arms, smiling sweetly, while Jaxon clung to his hand, wearing a bright, cheerful smile Virelle had not seen in a long time.
In other photos, Grayson kissed Selene in public, while Jaxon stood beside them, clapping.
And more...
Virelle scrolled through them, her expression unchanged. She quietly turned off her phone, not bothering to reply to any of those messages.
Instead, she focused solely on taking care of her grandfather before his surgery.
These days, with Grayson and Jaxon away from home, Virelle felt even freer to sort through and sell her belongings. Even though the apartment had been successfully sold, and the money had already been transferred into her account.
It was not much, but enough for her and her grandfather to live comfortably once they arrived in Solvang.
Virelle transferred all the money into a newly opened bank account before calmly walking into Grayson’s study.
Being locked inside the storage room before had caused the hatred in her heart to surge uncontrollably. At first, Virelle had only wanted to leave. But now, she wanted to destroy everything Grayson had.
Ever since founding the company, Grayson had hated dealing with paperwork and financial documents, believing they were nothing but a waste of time, so he had always left everything to Virelle.
Because of that, she had discovered several financial loopholes within his company through contracts, invoices, transfer records, and other financial documents.
And she had also uncovered suspicious transfer receipts that didn’t match the accounting books, large sums of money sent to unfamiliar recipients, as well as the fact that Grayson had been secretly siphoning money out of the company.
Quietly saving all the evidence onto the USB drive she had plugged into Grayson’s laptop, Virelle calmly slipped the USB back into her pocket.
To be even more cautious, after returning to her room, she uploaded every file onto the cloud and encrypted them carefully.
The corners of her lips curled upward slightly. These things... Virelle intended to use them as the blows that would destroy that bastard Grayson the moment she left.
At last, Virelle finished packing the very last of her belongings, moving everything she intended to bring into her grandfather’s hospital room, ready to leave at any moment.
...
Until one day, while Virelle was at the hospital with her grandfather, Grayson suddenly appeared.
Without warning, he pulled her into an embrace, his manner affectionate as if nothing had ever happened.
“Grandpa, today is Virelle’s and my wedding anniversary.”
“May I take her out on a date?”
Grayson’s smile was unusually sweet, his gestures gentle like those of a refined gentleman. Virelle wanted to break free, but with her grandfather present, she had no choice but to endure.
Endure it to the point her skin crawled.
“Of course.”
“You two should spend more time enjoying yourselves together. Don’t worry about me.”
Virelle’s grandfather smiled kindly as he gently nudged her toward the door, his eyes filled with unmistakable joy.
Not wanting to ruin his good mood, Virelle forced herself to appear happy and clenched her teeth as she went out with Grayson.
The moment they reached the hospital lobby, she yanked her hand away.
“Grayson, what do you want?”
“Who allowed you to come to the hospital?”
Virelle glared at him, her eyes full of vigilance. She wanted to leave, but her wrist was seized tightly.
“Virelle, who said you could run? Didn’t I say we’re going out to celebrate our anniversary today? Let’s go.”
Grayson forcefully dragged her into the car and locked the doors. As Virelle panicked and pounded against the window, the car had already sped off like the wind.
It eventually stopped in front of a nightclub.
The sense of unease intensified, Virelle’s heart pounding faster. Her face turned pale as she struggled, yet she was easily overpowered when Grayson grabbed her wrist and dragged her inside.
The blaring music slammed into her ears, like heavy hammers striking her body again and again. The stench of alcohol mixed with cloying perfume clogged her throat, making her stomach churn with nausea.
And those gazes, like blades gliding across her skin.
Her heels scraped harshly against the floor, producing a dry, grating sound as Virelle was hauled forward by Grayson.
“Let me go.”
Her voice was hoarse, nearly breaking apart.
Bang.
The door behind them slammed shut, completely cutting off the outside world. Grayson pressed close, a cold laugh escaping his throat.
One hand pinned Virelle in place, while the other turned to open the cabinet. His voice dropped into a coaxing murmur, as if Virelle were still the obedient puppet she used to be.
“Put it on, darling. Be good.”
A lace dress, so thin it could barely conceal anything, was shoved into her hands, making her shudder as if burned. The dress slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor.
She stood there, stunned, her lips trembling.
“What do you mean, Grayson?”
As realization dawned, Virelle lifted her head, her voice dry and hollow.
“This time, how much are you planning to sell me for?”
Grayson merely chuckled softly, a chill settling into the sound.
“Don’t put it so harshly, darling.”
“It’s just that the company still isn’t stable, and I need more money to keep it afloat.”
He spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world, gently stroking Virelle’s hair, his warm breath brushing against her face.
“Help me out a little, will you?”
“Tonight, there will be billionaires and CEOs bidding for a night with you. Make sure you serve them well.”
Virelle’s mind exploded with a loud crash, her suspicion was right.
She ran upstairs, yet still forced herself to remain calm as she looked at Grayson.
“Get a hold of yourself, Grayson.”
“If you really force me to do this, then I don’t mind dragging you down to hell with me.”
Virelle let out a cold laugh, staring straight into Grayson’s eyes.
“What do you think will happen if the public finds out your disgusting true nature? Forcing your own wife to serve other billionaires in exchange for benefits?”
“Have you prepared yourself to face the wave of backlash from the public and your business partners?”
Grayson’s smile stiffened, his bloodshot eyes darkening. He grabbed Virelle by the hair and yanked her head back harshly.
“Bitch, are you trying to threaten me?”
His gaze turned icy as he sneered.
“Too bad your methods are pathetic.”
“You think anyone would believe the words of a woman like you?”
“No matter how much news you try to expose, I’ll bury every single one of them.”
“Let’s see which one of us gets destroyed first.”
Grayson showed no sign of being affected by Virelle’s threats. Instead, he reached out and gripped her jaw tightly.
“Be good. Just drink this glass of wine, and everything will be fine.”
The wineglass moved closer and closer, Virelle’s mouth being forced open. She turned her face away, struggling and thrashing frantically.
“Get away from me!”
She screamed sharply, kicking Grayson hard.
“Get the hell away from me!”
But she could not escape.
The icy rim of the glass touched her lips, the cold liquid seeping against her skin. Virelle tried to struggle again but failed, leaving her with no choice but to shut her eyes in despair.
At that exact moment.
Bang.
The door was kicked open violently.
