Chapter 315

Chapter 315
Diana POV

Seeing I didn't respond, Stuart continued, "I know Mr. Howard treats you well, but think about it—do you really deserve him? To Mr. Howard, you're just a pretty stray cat on the side of the road. He glanced at you and threw you some scraps. I'm different. I can marry you. I can be your support. And I guarantee that as long as you're with me, no one in New Valley will dare bully you."

I picked up a glass and looked at the clear liquid inside, smiling slowly. "Sounds pretty good."

Stuart grinned and stood up, walking toward me. He stopped in front of me.

He placed his hand on the back of my chair and leaned down. "Right? You're a smart woman. You know being with me is better than being with Jacob."

My hand gripped the glass tightly.

Stuart noticed my tension and took a deep breath near my ear. "Diana, you smell so good. Remember those messages I used to send you? I think about you every night..."

I was revolted. Goosebumps covered my skin.

Back in high school, Stuart had sent me countless explicit messages and graphic photos.

Those things still made me sick to think about.

I glanced toward the door. Security was still trying to break it down.

The Backstage Room had walls on three sides. Only one entrance.

They could only get in through the door.

I had to keep Stuart calm until they got in.

I clenched my fists and forced my voice to stay steady. "Stuart, your offer is very good. I'm genuinely tempted. But marriage is a big deal—it's not just up to us, right? The Flaming family said they'd give me around twenty million. If you're offering more than that, don't you need to discuss it with your parents? How about this—I'll wait. Contact your parents now. I need a guarantee that everything you're promising will actually reach me."

"Why don't you trust me?"

Stuart picked up a strand of my hair and brought it to his nose, looking like he was savoring it. "If I'm making you a promise, I can naturally guarantee these things will reach you."

He pulled out his phone, opened his chat with his mother, and held it in front of me. "See for yourself. I already talked to my mom about it. Diana, I truly want to marry you."

I frowned deeply.

Stuart took advantage of the moment to quickly kiss my cheek.

The wet sensation on my face made me sick. My hand holding the glass shot up, and I smashed it against Stuart's head without hesitation.

Pain shot through Stuart's skull.

I grabbed the ashtray from the table and swung it at him.

He reacted quickly, grabbing my wrist. His other hand rose, about to slap my face.

But he stared at my face for two seconds, and his movement suddenly stopped.

I glared at him, my eyes full of disgust and revulsion. The initial fear and nervousness were gone.

Stuart lowered his hand and smiled nastily. "Just one kiss and you react like this. How will you handle things in bed later?"

My stomach churned. The corner of my mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Ignoring my disgusted expression, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close, lightly kissing the back of my hand. "Fine. Since you used to take care of me, I'll forgive you this time. But if you try to hit me again, I won't be so nice."

I said nothing. My fingers were rigid with tension.

Seeing no reaction from me, he seemed to think I'd given up struggling. His grip loosened slightly.

I yanked my wrist free and slapped him hard across the face.

"If I'd known you were this kind of person, I should never have saved you that day!"

Stuart was instantly enraged. He grabbed my throat and shoved me toward the table. "You really think I won't hurt you? You still think you're the high-and-mighty York family princess? Have you forgotten the York family has fallen? You're not some noble princess anymore."

I struggled desperately, my nails scratching several bloody marks across his face.

Completely enraged, he pinned me to the table and lowered his head to kiss me.

Just then, the sound of the lock being forced open rang out.

The door was kicked in from outside.

When James burst in, he immediately saw me pinned down, someone's hand around my throat, fighting desperately.

A terrifying fury exploded from him. He strode over and punched Stuart hard in the face.

Caught off guard, Stuart collapsed onto the table. It took him a moment to react before he cursed, "Who the hell—"

He tried to push himself up.

But James was ruthless. He pressed Stuart's head down and ground it into the table.

Stuart's face was pressed against a glass.

James applied brutal force, crushing the glass to pieces.

Shards embedded themselves in Stuart's cheek.

Searing pain hit him. He screamed, "It hurts! It hurts!"

"So you do know what pain feels like."

James's voice was ice-cold.

His entire body seemed to burn with rage. He pressed down even harder. The glass shards drove deeper into flesh.

Stuart went numb with pain, screaming at the top of his lungs.

I stood to the side, frozen in shock.

Jake was stunned too.

Behind him, all the security guards stood frozen in place.

No one had ever seen James this terrifying.

Finally, Jake snapped out of it first. He dismissed the security staff and hurried to James. "James, Diana's fine. You've made your point. Don't let this get out of hand."

"You should be saying that to him."

James grabbed Stuart by the collar, turned him around, and slammed him to the floor. He stepped on Stuart's chest and looked down at him coldly. "Stuart, I gave you a chance. Since you don't know how to appreciate it, and your parents never taught you how to be human, today I'll teach you myself!"

He grabbed a bottle from the table and forced it into Stuart's mouth, pouring alcohol down his throat. His entire demeanor radiated a bone-chilling viciousness.

The lighting in the room was dim.

James stood in the center, shrouded in shadow. Most of his handsome face was hidden in darkness, leaving only his eyes visible—cold, merciless, bottomless.