Chapter 31: Forced to Seduce at Dinner
Alexander’s POV
Nora sprawled on the marble floor, completely motionless.
"Nora?" My voice echoed through the empty foyer. "Nora! Nora Frost!"
No response.
I strode over and crouched beside her. I tapped her cheek lightly—still nothing.
I stood up and turned toward the stairs. This wasn't my responsibility. She chose to defy me; she had to bear the consequences.
But I stopped at the bottom step.
"Goddammit," I muttered, turning back quickly.
I bent down and lifted her effortlessly. She was lighter than I'd expected, seeming unusually fragile in my arms. Her head rested lifelessly against my chest, her breathing shallow but steady.
I took long strides toward the master bedroom, calling out, "Blake! Call the family doctor immediately!"
Edward appeared from the end of the hallway. "Sir? What's happened—"
"NOW!" I cut him off, pushing open the bedroom door.
I placed her carefully on the bed, studying her pale face. A twinge of guilt stabbed my chest, but I quickly suppressed the absurd feeling.
"If you just leave like this, who else am I supposed to torment?" I said quietly, my fingers unconsciously brushing her cheek.
Twenty minutes later, the family doctor arrived. As he began examining Nora, I left the room, unwilling to acknowledge the unease growing inside me.
The next evening, I was in the living room when I heard the front door open. Nora entered, looking surprisingly recovered given her state in past days. She froze when she saw me, clutching something small in her hand that she quickly tried to hide in her purse.
"Recovered quickly, I see," I demanded, noticing how she shifted uncomfortably, "Where were you?"
"Just out for some air," she replied evenly. "The doctor suggested I get some exercise."
My eyes narrowed, focusing on her hand still half-tucked into her purse. "What's that you're hiding?"
"Nothing important," she answered too quickly.
"That," I said coldly, "wasn't a request. Show me what you're holding. Now."
After a moment's hesitation, she reluctantly withdrew a small, silver object. A baby rattle, ornate and clearly expensive. Something cold slithered through my veins.
"Bring it here," I commanded, my voice deceptively calm.
She approached slowly, extending the rattle. I snatched it from her hand, examining the delicate craftsmanship. My fingers tightened around it until my knuckles whitened.
"Getting prepared, are we?" I asked, voice dripping with venom. "Shopping for the bastard already?"
Her face paled. "It's not what you think—"
"I think," I cut her off, "you're quite invested in that bastard child of yours." I hurled the rattle back at her, taking grim satisfaction when she flinched catching it.
She stood there speechless, clutching the rattle.
"Put that thing away," I spat. "And be ready by seven. We have a business dinner tonight."
"I'd rather not—"
"That wasn't a fucking suggestion," I growled, rising to tower over her. "Seven o'clock."
At six-thirty, I sent Mary up with the dress I'd selected for tonight. I smirked imagining Nora's reaction to the revealing designer gown—skintight black silk with a plunging neckline and a slit that would show nearly every inch of her legs. The high heels that accompanied it had heels high enough to make walking a challenge.
Nora said, "I won't wear the dress. It's... inappropriate."
"Is that so?" I smiled coldly. "I'll help you change, if that's what you require."
Predictably, the threat worked. When Nora appeared at the top of the stairs five minutes later, she was wearing the dress, though her expression could have frozen hell itself. The silk clung to every curve of her body, highlighting a figure that was genuinely impressive—something I reluctantly admitted to myself.
"You look acceptable," I said, my eyes deliberately traveling the length of her body. "Your figure's quite nice. No wonder Norton was so entranced."
Her cheeks flushed with anger, but she remained silent as she descended the stairs, wobbling slightly on the unfamiliar heels.
When she reached me, I deliberately hooked a finger under one of the thin straps, tugging it slightly. "Isn't this what you like? Showing off for men? Drawing their attention?"
She jerked away from my touch. "Don't."
In the back of the Bentley, Nora pressed herself against the door, maintaining maximum distance between us. The city lights painted her profile in stark relief as we drove toward Opal & Oak, the most exclusive restaurant in Kingsley City.
"Why are you doing this?" she finally asked, voice barely audible over the engine's purr.
"Doing what?" I replied, feigning ignorance.
"This," she gestured to her outfit. "Making me dress like... this. Taking me to a business dinner where I don't belong."
I studied her for a moment. "You're my wife, aren't you? At least on paper. It's time you start fulfilling that role."
"By dressing like your personal escort?" she snapped.
"Watch your tone," I warned. "Remember, you embarrassing me means Claflin embarrassment. Do you really want to go down that road again?"
She raised her chin defiantly. "I won't make you look bad."
"Good girl," I said patronizingly.
As we neared the restaurant, I tossed my suit jacket at her. "Cover yourself until we're inside. I don't need the paparazzi getting shots of my wife looking like she's working a corner."
She clutched the jacket around her shoulders, looking simultaneously grateful for the coverage and furious at my comment.
Opal & Oak's VIP room was already filled with my business associates when we arrived. Six men, all heads of companies I was negotiating crucial deals with. Their eyes immediately fixed on Nora as we entered, thinly veiled appreciation in their gazes.
"Gentlemen," I announced, guiding Nora forward with a firm hand on the small of her back. "Let's begin."
I took my seat at the head of the table and, before Nora could find her own chair, I pulled her onto my lap. Her body went rigid with shock.
"I'm thirsty," I said loudly, enjoying how she flinched at my voice so close to her ear. "Pour me some wine."
She sat frozen, clearly mortified. The men around the table exchanged glances, some amused, others curious.
"Didn't you hear me?" I barked, loud enough to make her jump.
Slowly, her hands shaking slightly, she reached for the decanter and poured red wine into my glass. I could feel the tension radiating from her body, pressed unwillingly against mine.
"Who's your lovely companion, Claflin?" Martin Reeves, CEO of Vortex Technologies, asked with undisguised interest.
Before I could answer, Gregory Phelps chimed in, "She's stunning. Where have you been hiding her?"
I smiled, saying nothing about Nora's identity, letting them assume what they wanted. Their assumptions were exactly what I'd planned for—that she was just another beautiful woman I was showing off, not my wife.
"Looks like our straight-laced Alexander finally decided to have some fun," Harrison laughed, raising his glass. "About time you loosened up, man."
"To the new Claflin," Phelps added, eyeing Nora appreciatively. "Seems running the family business has brought out your wild side."
I removed my suit jacket from her shoulders, exposing the revealing dress to the room's appreciative gazes. "Let them appreciate what they're seeing," I whispered harshly in her ear.
"Magnificent," Phelps said, raising his glass higher. "To Claflin's excellent taste."
The others joined the toast, their eyes devouring Nora as she sat rigidly on my lap, humiliation radiating from every pore.
"Now," I said, my voice deceptively pleasant, "why don't you go around the table and make sure everyone has a full glass? Make our guests feel... welcome."