Melinda struggled fiercely, her legs flailing in front of Raymond, almost as if teasing his nerves.
He was already burning with desire, and now he couldn't suppress it any longer.
With one swift motion, he trapped Melinda's legs with his large hand, while his other hand held the back of her head. He kissed her passionately, unable to control himself.
In the dimly lit room, their fingers intertwined, and they lost themselves in each other.
"Raymond..." Melinda murmured, dazed.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her mind flashed back to that night five years ago.
"No... don't touch me, get away..."
Melinda trembled violently.
"Melinda... what's wrong?" Raymond sensed something was off and immediately stopped, holding her close.
Melinda struggled even more, trying to escape his embrace, but his strong arms held her tightly. "Get away... don't touch me..."
Raymond didn't dare to be reckless. He got up and turned on the light.
He saw Melinda curled up at the head of the bed, clutching the blanket, her whole body shaking.
Raymond's heart ached as he remembered the torment she had endured.
"Melinda, it's me." He sat at the head of the bed, gently stroking her hair.
Melinda slowly opened her eyes, tears still glistening. She turned away, flustered. "I'm sorry, I just..."
"I should be the one apologizing." Raymond lowered his eyes, hiding his turbulent emotions.
Melinda sat up, hugging her knees.
Raymond sat behind her, his head down, holding her.
"You should go. I'll be fine on my own."
Raymond shook his head. "I can't leave you alone."
"I've made it through the past five years, haven't I? I can handle this." Melinda said firmly.
"Is Sam really that bastard's child?" Raymond asked softly.
Every time Sam's parentage was mentioned, it was the last thing Melinda wanted to face.
But the truth was undeniable.
"Yes." Melinda said through gritted teeth.
Raymond's heart clenched. He understood Melinda's struggle and pain and didn't press further.
In the end, Raymond left at Melinda's insistence. As the door closed, a cold light flashed in his eyes. Even if Melinda didn't want to talk about it, he would find out who had hurt her so deeply.
He stood at the door for a moment, realizing Melinda had no intention of opening it again. He left reluctantly.
A sleepless night.
The next morning, Melinda went to William's house to pick up Sam for school.
As soon as Melinda entered the lab, Celestia walked in.
"What's up?" Melinda asked coolly.
Celestia sneered, "Melinda, you really have some skills, even managing to seduce Raymond."
"I only discuss work here. Personal matters are off-limits." Melinda didn't even spare Celestia a glance.
Celestia was there to make trouble because she was feeling stifled.
"Even if you're Mr. Thomas's girlfriend now, so what? The real skill is getting into the Thomas family. We'll see."
"I'm Raymond's future wife." Celestia said confidently, her eyes gleaming with determination. Rufus was already planning to deal with her. As long as Melinda was out of the picture, Raymond would be hers eventually.
Melinda ignored Celestia, making her feel like she was punching a pillow.
Celestia could only glare at Melinda and leave, seething.
Many women wanted to be with Raymond. Given the chance, any woman would try to get close to him.
After leaving the lab, Celestia texted Rufus. Once she received confirmation of the plan, she headed to Delilah's office.
"Ms. Lewis, this report needs to be sent to the testing center today, but I can't make it. Could you have Melinda take it?"
"She's busy right now. Find someone else," Delilah replied without hesitation.
"It would be better if she went. It requires a specialist's explanation."
Delilah hesitated. "I'll ask Melinda."
"Ms. Lewis, please don't tell Melinda it was my idea. We've had some disagreements lately, and I don't want her to misunderstand," Celestia pleaded.
"Fine, send me the address and contact information." Delilah took out her phone and noted the details.
In her office, Melinda was frustrated with some data errors. When Delilah called her, she quickly stepped out.
"Okay, I'll go," Melinda said, wanting to get some fresh air anyway.
Delilah nodded. "Take Kathy with you. Drive safely."
"Got it."
Melinda was always dedicated to her work.
Seeing Melinda leave the office, Celestia immediately called Rufus. "Melinda's on her way. She should be there in about half an hour."
"Excellent," Rufus chuckled.
After Melinda and Kathy set off, they confirmed the route over the phone.
When they arrived, Melinda parked the car and noticed people in a nearby van watching her.
She thought they had mistaken her for someone else and didn't pay much attention.
As Melinda and Kathy got out of the car, the van doors opened simultaneously. They were each grabbed and pulled into the vans, blindfolded, and restrained before they could react.
The vans drove away, one following the other. In the back of the second van, Melinda was bound and gagged, completely helpless.
Panic, fear, disbelief... Melinda's eyes were filled with emotions. How had it come to this?
Where was her assistant Kathy?
What did they want?
If something happened to her, what about her son...
Thinking of Sam, a steely determination appeared in Melinda's eyes. She began to struggle fiercely. Seeing this, one of the men pulled out a syringe and injected her arm.
The drug quickly took effect, and Melinda's struggles weakened. Her consciousness faded, and she passed out.
A black SUV quickly followed.
They had been tracking Rufus's men, hoping to gather evidence to put him behind bars.
Their dashcam captured the entire scene.
The bodyguard in the passenger seat zoomed in on a girl's face.
"It's Ms. Sharp," he exclaimed.
"Notify Mr. Thomas."
They hadn't expected to witness a kidnapping, especially of Raymond's woman. Rufus wouldn't live long after this.
Raymond had just returned to the Thomas Group when his phone rang.
"Hello."
"Mr. Thomas, we were following Rufus's men. They've kidnapped Ms. Sharp and her assistant."
"What?"
Raymond's heart pounded.
"Yes, Ms. Sharp and her assistant were taken in separate vans," the bodyguard continued.
"Alright, keep an eye on them. If anything happens to them..."
Raymond's voice was cold and commanding. "Rescue them at all costs."
Though he was nearly frantic, he forced himself to stay calm.
Why had Rufus kidnapped Melinda?
Was it because of him?
There was no time to think. Raymond, along with Stuart and a dozen bodyguards, quickly pursued.
In the car, Raymond received constant updates on the kidnappers' movements. He forced himself to stay calm, even though he knew Melinda was in one of the vans. What would the kidnappers do to her?
He prayed they would be quick.
If Rufus dared to harm a hair on Melinda's head, he would make them pay with their lives.