Chapter 3

Rachel's POV

The impact left me dizzy. The rainwater from my delivery uniform soaked a large patch of the expensive sofa.

Before I could climb up, Xavier had already tossed a black card and a thick stack of cash onto the coffee table in front of me.

The money was thick. Blindingly so.

"Need money, don't you? How much can you make delivering food?"

Xavier sat on the coffee table across from me, his long legs stretched out casually, blocking my escape route.

He poured himself a glass of expensive liquor, swirling the glass, his eyes fixed on me with amusement. "Dance for me. This money is yours."

I stared at that pile of money, my throat tight.

Fifty thousand dollars.

Exactly enough for my mom's medical and nursing care next month.

I really needed this money.

For this money, forget dancing-I'd bark like a dog on my knees if he wanted.

I sniffled and reached for the stack of bills.

My hand hadn't even touched the corner when that damned system in my head exploded again.

"Warning! Villainous character collapse detected!"

"Mission issued. Tear up the check and throw your drink in his face. Shout: 'Keep the money for your coffin!'"

"Failure penalty: Removal of pain block. Pain level ten."

My hand trembled, freezing mid-air.

Level ten pain.

The pain of giving birth.

I would die here. I would truly die from the pain

I closed my eyes in despair. Tears flowed down again without permission.

Why force me like this?

I just wanted to survive, wanted to save my mom. Why wouldn't they give me even this small chance to live?

Xavier watched my frozen hand and laughed coldly. "Not enough? Miss Johnson's current value probably isn't worth this much anymore, is it?"

Every word carried barbs, each one precisely piercing my self-respect.

But what self-respect did I have left?

I bit my lip and shakily picked up the glass of liquor on the table.

My hand trembled like a sieve.

I really couldn't bear to lose this money. And I really was afraid of pain.

Xavier raised an eyebrow, watching me, seemingly waiting for my next move, his eyes full of mockery.

I steeled myself and closed my eyes, about to throw it.

But in that instant, my heart contracted violently. The sharp pain made my wrist go weak.

The glass aimed at his face veered off course.

Splash-

The dark red liquid didn't hit his face. Instead, it spilled all over the awkward area between his legs.

And because my hand was shaking so badly, I couldn't hold the glass steady. It dropped right onto his thigh, rolled around, then fell to the floor.

Time seemed to freeze.

Xavier looked down at his soaked crotch, at the red wine dripping down his suit pants.

The vein at his temple throbbed violently twice.

I was scared stupid.

This was worse than throwing it in his face, wasn't it?

I'd just pulled the tiger's whiskers and slapped it for good measure.

"I... I didn't mean to..."

My face went deathly pale with fear. Instinctively I reached out to help him wipe it, but then realized that area was inappropriate and frantically pulled my hand back.

The system in my head seemed to glitch for a moment, apparently never having encountered this situation either.

Xavier slowly raised his head. His eyes were terrifyingly dark.

He didn't explode.

Really. If this were five years ago, or if it were anyone else, he probably would have struck already.

But now his ears were turning an eerie shade of red.

He clamped down on my flailing wrist, the pressure so hard it felt like it would brand into my flesh.

"Where exactly were you aiming?"

His voice was hoarse, glaring at me through gritted teeth. "In such a hurry?"

I froze.

He thought I was seducing him?

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain that I meant to throw it in your face to humiliate you, not throw it at your crotch to seduce you.

But looking at his expression like he wanted to devour me, I didn't dare speak.

"Think the money's dirty?"

Xavier released my hand, methodically pulled out a few tissues, and wiped casually, the motion rough yet carrying an indescribable wildness.

"Rachel."

He stood up. His shadow instantly engulfed me.

"Since you don't want to dance, let's change the method of repayment."

Without allowing me to resist, he pulled me up from the sofa, completely ignoring my struggles, and dragged me toward the exit.

"Come home with me."

I refused to go, desperately clutching the doorframe. "I won't go! I have deliveries to make! They'll dock my pay!"

Xavier glanced back at me, his eyes cold as ice. "How much is that box of garbage worth? I'll buy it."

He hoisted me up directly.

Actually hoisted me. Like a sack of potatoes.

My stomach pressed against his hard shoulder, nearly making me vomit up dinner.

"Xavier Cole! Put me down! You lunatic!"

I pounded on his back while crying.

Xavier completely ignored my feeble efforts, striding through the corridor with long steps. Under everyone's horrified gazes, he stuffed me into that limited-edition black Maybach.

"Move again and I'll take you right here in the car."

The words he dropped before closing the door successfully turned me to stone.