Chapter 25 Chapter 25
She spun around and saw a beautiful woman in her thirties emerge from the club. Spotting Grace, the woman hurried over, her face breaking into a smile. "You must be Ms. Hill?"
Grace didn't recognize her and didn't respond immediately, simply observing her silently.
"Oh, I work here. Everyone calls me Isabella,” she introduced herself, adding warmly, “I saw you arrive with Mr. Norman earlier. Why are you Leaving so soon? Won't you stay a little longer?"
Grace recalled hearing the name Isabella mentioned earlier. She must be one of the madams here. "No, thank you. I'd like to head back early," she replied coolly.
"Oh, that's perfect! I'm heading back to the city, too. Why don't you ride with me? I hate driving alone at night. Keep me company! Okay?” Isabella was incredibly forward, her warmth toward Grace bordering on excessive. Glancing at Grace, she added, "You're dressed too lightly. It's freezing out—don't catch a chill. If you don't mind, take my coat to block the wind."
With that, she pulled off her own mid-length coat and insisted on draping it over Grace.
Grace was both amused and exasperated but finally accepted the coat. "Isabella, you're far too kind."
"No big deal. I'm bundled up and won't freeze. I'm wearing a coat to hide all this extra padding.” Isabella waved her hand dismissively as she led Grace to her car. Once they were both seated inside, she suddenly sighed and murmured, "These days, women always get the short end of the stick! Don't take things to heart. Just treat all men like bastards!"
Grace froze, looking at her in surprise.
Isabella chuckled and asked Grace, "Where to? I'll drop you off first."
Grace thought for a moment, then asked, "Could I borrow your phone?"
She needed to call Benjamin to get her things from his car.
"Sure," Isabella replied promptly, pulling out her phone and handing it to Grace.
Grace dialed Benjamin's number directly. After a long ring, he finally answered with a flat "Hello."
Her voice was calm and composed. "Mr. Norman, my things are still in your car. I need to retrieve them."
Benjamin paused before saying, "Come get them yourself."
He gave her an address and hung up immediately. It was clearly his residence. Grace froze, unsure of what he meant.
Isabella had already started the car and was waiting, watching her cautiously. She tentatively asked, "Well?"
Grace gave her the address and then asked, "Is it convenient for you? If not, I can just take a taxi.”
"Of course it's convenient!" Isabella assured her, hurrying to drive straight to Benjamin's residence. She had been there just days prior and knew the way well. The security guard, seemingly briefed in advance, waved them through without question.
As the car pulled up, Grace called Benjamin again. Before she could speak, his cold voice barked, "Come up!"
Grace didn't want to go up. Not at all. That devilish man—no one could predict what he might do. She wasn't a teenager who was convinced that she was only going up to retrieve the car keys.
She clutched her phone, head bowed in silence. After a long moment, she gritted her teeth, looked up, and asked Isabella, "Do you have any condoms on you? Could I borrow one?"
For women in that line of work, carrying condoms was second nature. Isabella was no exception. Without a second thought, she fished two out of her purse and handed them to Grace. Hesitating slightly, she added, "Anyway, I'm available. I'll wait here for you. If you decide to stay, just give me a call.”
Grace didn't understand why this woman was being so kind to her. She gave a faint, bitter smile and said, "Thanks, Isabella."
She stepped out of the car resolutely, as if facing execution, determined to meet Benjamin.
Benjamin's apartment occupied the entire top floor of the building. After stepping out of the elevator, she passed through a small foyer furnished with lounge chairs before reaching the door. Before she could knock, Michael opened the door, his expression impassive. "Mr. Norman is in the living room upstairs."
Grace said nothing, heading straight for the stairs. The carpet beneath her feet was soft. She climbed the steps, paused briefly at the landing, and knocked on the slightly ajar door to the left.
"Come in," Benjamin said from inside, sounding as if he were still some distance from the door.
She pushed the door open. Soft light filled the room. At the far end was a vast floor-to-ceiling glass wall with the curtains drawn back. The dark glass reflected like a mirror, yet faint sparks of light shimmered through from outside. Near the window, lush green plants thrived. In the corner were bookshelves and a desk, while sofas and armchairs surrounded the space closer to her.
Benjamin reclined on the sofa, still wearing the same outfit from earlier, though the anger had faded from his face. He sat quietly, watching the projection screen opposite him. Grace took a few more steps inward before stopping. Following his gaze, her eyes locked onto the image, and her pupils instantly constricted. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides involuntarily.
He was watching the video he had directed and filmed of her being gang-raped.
Her own voice was almost impossible to find. Her throat was parched and hoarse; she was unable to produce sound. She didn't know how to respond, only repeating to herself: Hold on. No matter what, hold on. The more he tried to crush and humiliate her, the more she had to be calm.
The video's volume was low, almost inaudible. Yet, as the figure on screen descended into uncontrolled sobs, the sound grew sharper, piercing her eardrums. Each cry stabbed her with pain.
Only then did he lift his gaze to meet hers. His eyes were dark and unfathomable. His voice was flat as he asked, "Like it? If you like it, take it. It really is quite effective.”
Summoning every ounce of strength, she responded calmly, "Okay."
He continued to watch her, his voice soft as he commanded, "Come here."