Chapter 153: Harassment

Amanda's POV

Thirty minutes later, we were seated in a private dining room. When Nicholas excused himself to order food, Sophia slipped out right behind him.

I sat alone, drumming my fingers on the polished table, anger bubbling just below the surface. What game was Sophia playing? I should've insisted on finishing the inspection. Every instinct screamed that something wasn't right.

When they returned, Nicholas's eyes had that greedy gleam I'd seen too many times before. During dinner, he suddenly turned to me.

"Miss Davis, are you satisfied with today's equipment?"

"Yes, your company's equipment meets requirements," I nodded, though a warning bell rang in my head.

A shadow of intent passed over his features as he pulled a contract from his briefcase.

"Since Miss Davis is satisfied, please review this contract. If there are no issues, you can sign it now."

What the hell had Sophia told him while they were alone?

I kept my face perfectly blank. "Mr. King, there's no rush. After tomorrow's random sample inspection confirms everything is acceptable, we'll sign." No way in hell would I compromise on medical equipment standards just because some sleaze was pressuring me.

Nicholas's fingers tightened around the contract. Something dark passed behind his eyes.

"Of course, let's eat first. After Miss Davis completes the inspection tomorrow, we'll sign," he said smoothly.

By eight, dinner was finally over. Nicholas offered to escort us to the hotel, and before I could decline, Sophia jumped in with an enthusiastic "Yes!" Annoyed but unwilling to make a scene, I left with Stephanie.

The hotel setup made my skin crawl—Sophia and I in executive rooms on the top floor, our assistants below. Nicholas personally walked us up, hovering like a bad smell.

Sophia shot me a smug little smile before disappearing into her room. "Amanda, you understand the medical aspects better. Whatever needs discussing with Mr. King tomorrow will trouble you."

The aftertaste of her words turned leaden in my throat. What purpose could such meticulously crafted hostility serve? The click of her door closing released me to find Nicholas rooted in place, his analytical eyes dissecting my every microexpression.

"Mr. King, you can leave now." I didn't bother hiding my irritation.

He didn't budge. "Miss Davis, I have some matters to discuss with you. Shall we go inside?"

Alarm bells screamed in my head. "Whatever it is, we can discuss it tomorrow. It's late, and I'm tired."

I was closing the door when his foot suddenly wedged between it and the frame. Before I could react, he shoved his way in and locked the door behind him.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I backed away. "Mr. King, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

His eyes crawled over me—from my black pantsuit to my heels—like I was merchandise on display. The naked hunger in his gaze made me want to vomit.

"Amanda," he purred, rubbing his hands together, "though I'm not as wealthy as Ethan Blackwood, my King family is still a respectable business. Being with me wouldn't be a loss for you."

I stared at him—balding, sweaty, his belly straining against fabric—and fought the urge to laugh. Where did this pathetic man get his confidence? My fingers discreetly slid to my sleeve, where I kept acupuncture needles—a medical professional's habit I'd never been more grateful for.

"Mr. King, I represent Blackwood Group. Today's equipment inspection is complete and meets requirements. What exactly are you trying to do?" My voice could have frozen fire.

He sneered. "Amanda, don't pretend to be some virtuous woman with me. I know exactly what you're like. Didn't you try to sleep your way into Ethan Blackwood's bed? That was just for money. Serve me well, and I can give you plenty of money too."

White-hot rage flooded my veins. "Ha!" The laugh that escaped me dripped with contempt. "Mr. King, you seriously overestimate yourself. While Ethan Blackwood may be older, he maintains himself well and has actual charm. With your appearance, why would anyone be interested in you?"

His face twisted with fury. He lunged forward, grasping, but I easily sidestepped him.

"Amanda! Don't refuse good intentions and face the consequences!" he sputtered.

A cold smile spread across my face as pieces clicked into place. "Mr. King, are you trying to force me and then use this to blackmail me? If so, you have ulterior motives. Are you afraid of random inspections? Perhaps today's displayed product isn't representative of your entire production?"

Shock flashed across his face before quickly morphing back to arrogance. He hadn't expected me to connect the dots so quickly.

"So what if you know?" he hissed, fists clenching. "After what happens between us tonight, you'll have to comply."

"You're truly disgusting," I spat.

Done with words, Nicholas lunged at me again. He'd locked the door. He thought I couldn't escape.

I moved like water, easily avoiding his clumsy attack. His heavy body crashed to the floor with a satisfying thud. He struggled like a beached whale, face turning an ugly shade of purple as he finally managed to stand.

"Nicholas King, leave now and I'll forget this happened," I warned, though fury still coursed through me.

Mistaking my controlled rage for fear, he grew bolder. "I've already gone this far—no turning back! Amanda, you're not escaping today. If you don't sign the contract, I'll spread rumors that you were after me for my money and tried to seduce me!"

Something cold and deadly settled in my chest. Since he refused to listen, I wouldn't show mercy.

Seeing me standing still, Nicholas grew more confident, stepping forward to grab my arm. The moment he reached out, I struck. His arm suddenly hung limp at his side, completely numb where my needle had hit a pressure point.

Terror bloomed in his eyes. "A-Amanda! What are you doing to me?!"

I smiled sweetly. "Perhaps even heaven found you disgusting and decided to punish you."

"You!" He raised his other arm to attack again, but I'd already delivered a powerful kick to his knee. My pointed heel combined with perfect aim sent him howling in pain as his knee buckled, dropping him to the floor.

Humiliation twisted his features as he began spewing venom. "You bitch! How dare you treat me this way! You're just a Blackwood Group representative—don't think you're someone important. Don't forget, you're still in my territory. When I get out, you'll regret this. I'll have men gang-rape you... AHHH!"

My second kick landed exactly where I'd aimed. He curled into a fetal position, clutching his groin, cold sweat pouring down his face. "B-bitch! Y-you...how d-dare you!"

I looked down at him, arms crossed, feeling nothing but disgust. "Mr. King, that kick was pretty hard. If you don't get to a hospital soon, you might be permanently damaged. Instead of wasting time cursing me, you'd better seek medical attention. You might still be saved."

He could only glare at me, hatred burning in his eyes, before limping away. Having a woman physically best him was too humiliating to admit publicly—he'd have to suffer in silence.

The moment he left, I raced downstairs to book another room. The rage that had kept me steady was fading, replaced by cold fear of what this man might do next.

After changing rooms, I collapsed into bed, exhaustion washing over me. Early the next morning, my phone's shrill ring jolted me awake. Stephanie.

"What's wrong?" I asked, dread pooling in my stomach.