Chapter 142

Scarlett’s POV

I never expected Richard would personally come to pick me up at the airport.

"Miss Smith, I can't believe Richard came to get you himself. I'm so jealous!"

Lillian's voice came from beside me. I turned to see her affectionately clinging to Alexander's arm.

My lips curved into a slight smile as I politely acknowledged Lillian before walking directly toward Richard.

"Was your journey pleasant?" Richard smiled as he took my luggage, his tone unnaturally gentle.

"It was fine, thank you for asking."

My voice remained calm and steady, but internally, alarm bells were ringing. From the moment I spotted Richard, I knew tonight would be anything but peaceful.

The interior of Richard's sedan felt oppressive despite its spaciousness.

The heater was turned up high, and before long, my clothes were damp with sweat. Still, I kept myself wrapped tightly in my coat.

When I looked up, I accidentally caught Tom's malicious gaze.

Fortunately, he didn't say much, only casually reminding Richard, "Mr. Gray, the invitations are currently being printed. I'll personally review the arrangements for Miss Smith's relatives with her tomorrow."

"Invitations?" I couldn't help but sound surprised.

My surprise wasn't from joy, but from the realization that I had definitively placed one foot at the edge of hell.

Richard looked at me with dark, unreadable eyes, though his lips held an intriguing smile. "Didn't you say you wanted to marry me? What's wrong? Do you think the preparations are too rushed?"

"No... I just thought..." I pressed my lips together, afraid to guess his intentions.

In truth, ever since I became entangled with Alexander, I've been gambling.

Gambling on how long our relationship could last, gambling on whether I'd live or die if Richard discovered us.

Gambling that even if Richard learned about my relationship with Alexander, he might still marry me instead of killing me.

But this gamble was far too dangerous. I couldn't even imagine what I had left to wager besides my life.

My silence seemed to anger Richard.

He pressed the window button, and the frigid wind immediately rushed into the car, making me shiver involuntarily.

Only then did I hear Richard's unhurried voice, "How were your days in Colombia?"

"Everything was fine, thank you for your concern, Mr. Gray."

"No need for thanks."

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze cutting through me like a blade.

I instinctively curled my body inward, as if that could shield me from his scrutiny.

Richard's lips curled into a smile as he suddenly pulled me into his embrace.

"What has Alexander been up to these days?" he asked, his tone casual, as if we were having an ordinary conversation.

This deceptively calm tone only heightened my vigilance. I quickly considered how to respond.

In the end, I decided to tell the truth, mostly. "Alexander was very guarded with me. I only saw him on the third day in Colombia. Then he locked me in a basement for a day and a night. After escaping, I spent three days in the hospital due to illness from the unfamiliar environment."

Apart from omitting that Alexander and I had made love several times, everything else I said was essentially true.

Richard laughed after hearing this, the sound echoing in the confined space of the car, setting every one of my nerves on edge.

He reached out to pinch my cheek. "How pitiful. I thought Alexander liked you."

His tone carried a hint of mockery, but his eyes remained cold as steel.

My body went limp, and I immediately fell to my knees before him.

"Mr. Gray, I know I've done wrong!" My voice broke with a sob as tears streamed down my face.

"Alexander forced me at first. I... it's my fault. If you can't accept me, I'm willing to leave Silverlight City. I'll take my family far away and never appear before you again!"

Richard suddenly burst into laughter.

"Why run away? Who said I don't want you?"

He reached down to help me up from the floor. His palm was warm and strong, but to me, it felt colder than steel.

"You're so obedient. How could I not want you? But I've invested so much effort in you, and yet you got involved with Alexander. Where does that leave my face as his uncle?"

His fingers gently wiped away the tears on my face.

I tentatively asked, "Then what does Mr. Gray want..."

Richard forcefully lifted my chin. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes stared directly into mine.

His hand suddenly tightened, gripping my throat.

The feeling of suffocation came so violently that black spots danced frantically in my vision.

I had always known that Richard would never tolerate any form of betrayal, especially from me, his carefully selected fiancée.

"The Smith family's debt, tens of billions of dollars..." his voice seemed to come from far away. "Did you think I would easily let you and your family escape?"

Richard narrowed his eyes, watching my painful struggle with no expression on his face.

Each of his words was forced through clenched teeth, permeated with endless coldness.

The driver stepped on the gas, overtaking another car—Alexander's car.

The window was open, and the cold wind rushed in, but compared to suffocation, this chill was insignificant.

I had been pulled toward the edge of death for too long. Finally, Richard released his hand.

But this sensation of resurrection wasn't pleasant.

My head was forcibly pushed out the window, the frigid night wind cutting my face like blades. The bone-chilling cold was more painful than being strangled.

"Mr. Gray, I truly understand my mistake now..."

I barely managed to squeeze out these words, my voice unrecognizably hoarse.

"What mistake?" he demanded.

What mistake?

My mistake was becoming involved with Alexander, repeatedly challenging Richard's boundaries...

Or was it...

"Want to live?"

His cold voice came from behind me, shocking every fiber of my being.

I nodded desperately.

"Want to protect the Smith family?"

I nodded again.

"Very good..." Richard finally let go.

Upon gaining freedom, I hurriedly touched my neck, confirming he hadn't strangled me to death, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Richard spoke again: "But I need you to prove your loyalty."