He'd done this to her more than once.
Josephine was seething with hatred, anger, and disgust. She fought back desperately, even biting him.
Stuart, though, got even more frenzied. The taste of blood only fueled him.
He grabbed her chin, forcing a kiss on her.
She tried to lift her leg, but he pinned her down.
She was completely overpowered and humiliated.
Stuart's strength and training left her no chance to resist.
In the past, his disregard for her will just humiliated her. Now, she wanted to kill him.
How could she have been so blind to love Stuart? He was arrogant, selfish, and never respected her.
He kept saying he wanted to win her back, but he only imposed his will on her.
He didn't deserve to say he loved her.
Josephine stopped struggling, her eyes stinging, but she refused to cry for him.
Stuart's lips finally left her lips, moving urgently and heatedly to kiss other parts of her. He missed her so much, his body screamed to possess her.
The days apart had been more torturous physically than mentally.
He missed her so much, unable to sleep, his mind filled with memories of their lovemaking.
Now, he couldn't think of anything else; his body's urges consumed him. He just wanted to ravage her.
Josephine spoke weakly, "This is someone else's office."
She was too weak to struggle, but she couldn't let Stuart have his way here.
Hearing her voice, a bit of reason returned to Stuart. He panted heavily, holding her tightly.
They were so close that Josephine could feel his arousal.
But she felt nothing but disgust.
Stuart was completely out of her heart. She was grateful she now saw clearly.
"Josephine, come with me, please?" Stuart's voice was seductively charming.
But to Josephine, it sounded like a demon whispering.
"I don't believe you have no feelings for me," Stuart continued, "Even if you're mad, your body's reactions don't lie. Do you dare to try?"
If teeth could be weapons, Josephine wanted to bite through his carotid artery. She didn't want Stuart to touch her again.
But she knew whatever she said, Stuart would twist it.
He never took her thoughts seriously. He always imposed his will on her. So, whatever she said was useless.
Josephine stayed silent. Her body tensed, eyes shut tight, eyelashes trembling.
Stuart kissed her eyes and coaxed, "Josephine, please don't say things that hurt me, okay? I know I was wrong, and I can make it up to you, but please don't ignore me."
Stuart said a lot, but Josephine remained unresponsive.
Stuart was anxious and angry, but this was a research institute, a strange office. He couldn't really do anything to her here.
He took a deep breath and scooped Josephine into his arms.
Her eyes snapped open, blazing with anger.
Stuart looked down at her. "If you don't want everyone here to see, come quietly."
He carried her out of the institute and onto a plane.
Back home, he had no plans to let her leave again.
Josephine's current state scared him. He couldn't bear the thought of never seeing her again.
So, even if she hated him, he chose to keep her by his side.
He wouldn't give her a chance to escape.
Josephine didn't even know Stuart had this place. The villa was isolated on a mountain.
She was confined to the villa.
Everything she needed was provided, and the staff only obeyed Stuart.
After the initial shock, Josephine accepted she was imprisoned.
Two days back, Stuart had taken her phone, cutting off her contact with the outside world.
He spent most of his time with her in the villa.
He didn't do anything outrageous, just held her sometimes.
He noticed her silence and resistance. Since returning, she hadn't said a word to him.
He was anxious but didn't dare let her go, so he stayed with her constantly. Even while working, he kept her in sight.
He knew he didn't know how to love, but he was willing to learn.
However, Josephine always wanted to escape, so he resorted to this desperate measure.
Andrew had also returned to the country.
William's issue was unresolved. With his Haustia family ties, Andrew couldn't do much.
Stuart answered a call from Liam on Josephine's phone.
Stuart watched as she communicated with him. She knew Liam's temper and didn't dare let him know she was captive.
Since going abroad, her contact with Claudia and Laura had decreased.
So, during her captivity, no one noticed anything wrong.
Stuart used his means to keep her close, but her silence and resistance made him uncomfortable.
Though he could stay with her and show his love, he had company matters to attend to and had to leave sometimes.
It was summer, and Stuart had a social event in the evening. He drank more than usual out of frustration.
When he returned to the villa, Josephine was already in the bedroom.
He had his own room, but tonight, fueled by alcohol, he felt hot and had someone unlock Josephine's door.
To his surprise, she was still awake, sitting by the window, her back lonely in the dim light.
Stuart felt immense heartache and anger. "Why do you have to be like this? Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance, okay?"