Chapter 195

Chapter 195

At night, a black Rolls-Royce drove along a winding mountain road, its headlights piercing the darkness. Dense, impenetrable woods lined both sides of the road, blocking even the moonlight. After nearly an hour of driving, an estate hidden deep in the valley finally appeared at the end of the view.

The tall wrought-iron gates slid open silently as the vehicle approached, revealing neatly trimmed lawns and brightly lit buildings inside.

This place was completely isolated from the world, so quiet that time seemed to stand still.

The car came to a stop in front of the main building.

Damian got out of the car. He took off his suit jacket and casually draped it over his arm, wearing only his dark blue shirt. Instead of entering through the front door, he walked around to the side of the building and used his fingerprint and a code to open an inconspicuous side door.

Behind the door was a separate corridor. At the end of the corridor was another door that required a password to enter.

He pushed the door open.

The room was large, decorated luxuriously yet comfortably.

Grace sat on the carpet in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, wearing loose white loungewear, holding a soft cushion in her arms, staring blankly at the darkness outside.

An ankle chain was fastened around her left ankle. The other end of the chain was secured to the base of a pillar.

Hearing the door open, her body stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she didn't turn around.

Damian tossed his jacket onto the coat rack in the entryway, unbuttoned his cuffs, and rolled up his sleeves to his forearms, revealing his well-defined wrists. He didn't walk toward her but went straight to the large leather sofa in the center of the room and sat down, leaning back with a lazy yet commanding posture.

He said nothing, just watched her figure.

After a while, Damian raised his hand and patted the sofa beside him.

The gesture was light, but in the silent room, it sounded like an undeniable command.

Grace's body stiffened again. Slowly, like a puppet on strings, she put down the cushion in her arms and stood up from the carpet. As she moved, the ankle chain dragged across the carpet, making a faint metallic scraping sound.

Head lowered, she walked toward the sofa with slow, hesitant steps.

Over these past few days, his relentless demands and absolute control had broken down her resistance. She knew that any defiance would only bring more overwhelming demands and possession.

Submission was the only way Grace could make things a little easier for herself.

Grace walked to the sofa and stopped.

Damian didn't let her sit down. He just reached out, gripped her chin, and forced her to lift her head.

Her face was small and pale, and her once bright eyes had grown dull and lifeless, their depths invisible.

He gently rubbed her soft lips with his thumb, his gaze examining every inch of expression on her face.

"Unhappy?" he asked, his voice low.

Grace's long lashes trembled. She didn't speak, just obediently shook her head.

Damian seemed satisfied with her docility. He released her chin and patted the spot beside him again.

This time, Grace didn't hesitate. She obediently sat down, her body tense, hands resting on her knees, like a scolded child.

Damian extended his arm and pulled her into his embrace. His palm was large and slightly warm as it moved through her hair, gently stroking the back of her head.

Grace leaned against his chest, able to clearly hear his steady, strong heartbeat. She remained motionless, letting him do as he pleased, her breathing extremely light.

"Today, your brother and your two friends came to the company looking for me," Damian's voice sounded above her head, his tone casual.

Grace's body instantly tensed.

Her fingers resting on her knees unconsciously clenched, her nails digging deep into the soft flesh of her palms.

Someone was still looking for her, and they'd found Damian. Did that mean they'd also noticed something was wrong?

Warmth and sharp pain flooded her heart simultaneously.

Grace was touched by their persistence, yet terrified of the danger she might bring them.

Grace lowered her head slightly, hiding the emotions on her face.

Damian's hand stroking her hair didn't stop. He seemed to sense the stiffness in her body and let out a low laugh.

"They care about you a lot. In your brother's eyes, I'm probably the kidnapper who abducted you."

His tone carried a hint of mockery, but Grace detected the coldness beneath it.

"They're... being nosy," she spoke, her voice dry and hoarse, each word extremely difficult to say. She had to go along with what he said.

Damian was satisfied with her answer. His hand traced down her back, bringing waves of shivers.

"Yes, nosy," he repeated, his fingers stopping at her waist, pinching lightly, "Especially your brother, Ethan. Looking for you, hasn't slept in days, unshaven and exhausted. If you didn't know better, you'd think he'd lost his girlfriend."

He seemed to be joking, but there was probing and possessiveness in his words.

Grace's heart plummeted, a huge fear gripping her. She was afraid Damian would take his anger out on Ethan.

She quickly and urgently denied it, "No! You know we're just siblings."

In her panic, her voice came out distorted.

Damian watched her panic, the smile on his face deepening, though it didn't reach his eyes—if anything, his gaze grew colder.

"Siblings?" His fingers tightened on her chin, preventing her from looking away, "You're not even blood-related. Who's to say he doesn't want more?"

"No! Really, no!" Grace's eyes immediately reddened. She grabbed Damian's arm, her voice filled with helplessness, "Our situation has nothing to do with him, please don't take it out on him..."

She knew Damian's methods. She didn't dare imagine what Damian might do to the Parker family if he decided Ethan had feelings for her.

Her fear and pleading seemed to please Damian.

He looked at the tears brimming in her eyes, leaned down, and with cruel tenderness, kissed the wetness from the corner of her eye.

Then his lips pressed down, with undeniable force, blocking all her unfinished words.

This kiss was full of plunder and punishment. He pried open her teeth, his tongue driving straight in, entangling, sweeping, giving her no chance to breathe. His other hand pressed firmly against the back of her neck, holding her in place, forcing her to take everything.

Grace's mind went blank, overwhelmed by his presence enveloping her completely.

After what seemed like forever, just when Grace thought she was about to suffocate, Damian finally loosened his grip slightly. A thin strand connected their lips. Grace gasped for air, her chest heaving violently, her eyes misty with tears from lack of oxygen, making her look dazed and vulnerable.

"Remember, you belong to me alone." Damian's forehead pressed against hers, his scorching breath on her face, his voice hoarse and domineering. "Whether it's your body or your heart. Anyone who dares covet you, I'll make them disappear."