Chapter 135

Scarlett’s POV

He suddenly spoke, "So in your opinion, who's better—me, Richard, or George..."

He paused, his eyes narrowing, "Or perhaps your 'Mr. Thomas'?"

Instead of directly answering my question, he threw the same inquiry back at me.

"With so many men around you, who's your favorite?" he continued, his voice playful but his eyes locked onto me like a cheetah stalking its prey.

How cunning!

I hadn't expected him to counter-question me.

"You're my first man, of course I like you the most!" I replied with a touch of sweetness and innocence in my voice, leaning forward to kiss him.

But Alexander easily avoided my kiss by turning his head slightly. His finger gently lifted my chin, those blue eyes cold as ice.

"So this is how much you like me." He pulled me onto his lap, his large hand sliding up along my waistline. "Dressed so provocatively, with nothing underneath... such a tease."

This wasn't the first time I'd heard his degrading words. I was already accustomed to his cruelty.

"I bought new clothes," I said, nearly biting my tongue as my teeth clicked together.

"So that night when you stabbed Vernon, it was just because you liked me and didn't want to sleep with him?" His fingers tightened around my waist, applying considerable pressure.

"Yes... I... I didn't want him to touch me." I lowered my eyes, appearing both vulnerable and honest.

After all, the drug meant for Vernon had been consumed by me, and my phone had been thrown into the sea. There was no evidence left!

"Is that so? Are you thinking how fortunate you were to have taken that drug, luckily escaping death, and also about your phone..."

Alexander's smile widened as he suddenly reached toward the bedside table and opened the drawer.

My heart instantly jumped to my throat—my phone was there, lying in the drawer, completely intact.

"You..." My voice trembled, but before I could finish, his hand suddenly gripped my jaw.

"Did you really think I wouldn't dare to take your life?" His voice turned ice-cold. "What is your relationship with Ralph Gray!"

What?

Ralph Gray?

Who was Ralph?

I shook my head desperately. "I don't know him! I really don't know him!"

Alexander's fingers moved from my jaw to my tongue, gripping it roughly.

I let out a whimper as tears uncontrollably welled up, blurring my vision.

"Luke!" he suddenly called out.

Seconds later, the door was pushed open, and Luke walked in.

"Mr. Gray, you called for me!"

"Go get a knife, and bring up that large vase from downstairs. I'm going to cut off her limbs and put them in the vase..."

As he spoke, he smiled at me.

It didn't look like he was joking at all.

"Yes, Mr. Gray."

Luke nodded, but his gaze shifted between Alexander and me, clearly hesitating.

"What are you waiting for?" Alexander's tone was filled with impatience.

Luke lowered his head and silently withdrew.

By now, I was sitting in Alexander's lap, drenched in cold sweat.

I had anticipated that he might suspect me, but I never imagined he would torture me like this.

"Tell me, how exactly did you get to know Ralph?" Alexander finally loosened his grip as he finished speaking.

The moment I was released, I slid off his lap in fear.

My knees were weak, and I didn't dare look at him.

"I really don't know anyone named Ralph! Please believe me!" Everything I said was the truth.

Ralph Gray... was he another member of the Gray family? But I'd known Richard for so long and had never heard him mention this name.

Wait!

Richard had mentioned him before, during his last outburst, but had subsequently referred to him only as "he," which is why I hadn't paid much attention.

Now Alexander was pressing me, repeatedly questioning my relationship with Ralph.

But I truly didn't know Ralph!

No, perhaps I did know him.

Perhaps it was that night on the yacht deck, the man who had gripped her hand tightly, wanting to take her away with him.

The man who had said that if she was willing to go with him, he would protect her for the rest of her life...

"Remembered something?" Alexander's tone revealed a kind of bored disappointment.

I collapsed on the floor, still unable to process what had just happened.

What connection did Ralph have with me?

If we had met, it was only that time outside the hospital when Ralph and that man called Tristan had abducted me into their car, after which I was shot by Tristan.

Our next encounter was not long ago on the yacht.

Besides these instances, we had no other interactions, so how could...

In this moment of hesitation, all the clues suddenly connected in my mind, forming a clear line.

"You suspect that Ralph and I conspired to kill Vernon."

I looked up, meeting Alexander's eyes directly. "And after the mission failed, Ralph planned to take me away? Is that it?"

Alexander sat with his legs crossed, looking down at me from his position of superiority.

"Isn't that the case?" he asked, his voice frighteningly calm.

I weakly tugged at the corner of my mouth, having already pieced everything together in my mind.

So this was all designed from the beginning.

It was likely a deal between Ralph and the Obsidian Palace.

I was sent to assassinate Vernon. If successful, I would certainly be captured by Vernon's men and face inevitable death. If unsuccessful, the outcome would still be death.

And if I somehow managed to escape, Ralph would appear, pretending to rescue me, confirming our pre-existing relationship.

It seemed Alexander feared Ralph the most.

What a brilliant plan to kill two birds with one stone.

I had been used as a pawn, sacrificable at any moment.

"I... have nothing to say."