Hector was a madman, Estelle knew that. And now, she was desperately trying to open the bedroom door, only to realize it had been locked from the outside. The closer the distance between them grew, the faster her heartbeat became. Her body trembled uncontrollably, overwhelmed by a surge of panic.
SLAM!
Hector's sturdy hand struck the door right behind Estelle, causing her to freeze in place. A moment later, she felt his hurried breath against the back of her neck.
"Did you really think you could run?"
Before Estelle could process the situation, Hector spun her around and lunged at her neck. Biting her lower lip, she tried to suppress the sting and throbbing pain spreading across her skin. The man sank his teeth into her flesh, tearing through the delicate skin without a hint of hesitation. Warm blood stained his lips as he bit deeper.
"Stop!"
She struck his chest again and again, but Hector did not budge. Instead of releasing her, his hand tightened around her arm. When the torment finally ceased, the blue-eyed man pulled back and examined his handiwork, ignoring the hatred blazing in Estelle's gaze and the blood that smeared his lips.
"Bastard," Estelle hissed.
"And this bastard will become your husband very soon," Hector replied coolly.
Estelle's eyes widened in disbelief. What nonsense was running through Hector Nightwood's mind now?
"Hah! No wonder your fiancée broke off the engagement. She must have realized you're nothing more than a beast unworthy of being anyone's husband!"
Rather than being angered, Hector only smirked. "Is that so?"
Only then did Estelle notice the engagement ring on his ring finger. Sandra's words might have been true after all.
Slowly, Hector released his grip and walked toward the bed. His black kimono-style pajamas parted slightly, revealing his broad chest. Even with bandages still wrapped around him, it was obvious that Hector possessed a perfectly sculpted physique. His firm thighs flexed with every step he took. For a brief moment, Estelle cursed inside her head, she would never be able to beat him. The difference in their physiques alone was like heaven and earth.
"How did you find out?" Hector asked.
The movement pulled at the wound on Estelle's neck, sending another wave of pain through her.
"That's none of your business," she replied.
Hector picked up the whip lying on the bed, smiling faintly as he glanced at her. Then, he rang the small bell beside the bed, summoning a servant into the room.
"Call Sandra."
Estelle's eyes widened in alarm as she heard that single command. Did Hector know that Sandra had been the one to tell her?
The servant nodded obediently before retreating from the room, leaving Hector and Estelle alone once more. Though Estelle wore a fairly thick jacket, her body felt cold. Beads of cold sweat gathered at her temples.
"So, who did you meet today?" Hector asked, gently stroking the leather whip in his hand.
"A friend," Estelle answered, averting her gaze.
"A friend?" Hector repeated. "Do young people nowadays greet their friends with an embrace?"
Estelle's jaw tightened as a terrible feeling settled in her chest. This conversation had to end before everything out of control. Her mind raced, searching for a way to divert Hector's attention. If not, Julius would be dragged deeper into danger, and his life would be at risk.
"I was wrong. Please punish me instead," Estelle said, dropping to her knees.
When she stole a glance at Hector's reaction, her anxiety only grew. Rather than calming, his anger seemed to intensify. His gaze looked as though he wanted to kill someone. Fortunately, Sandra entered the room, easing the tension ever so slightly.
"You called for me, Master?" Sandra glanced briefly at Estelle, who remained kneeling on the floor.
Hector stood up, still holding the whip.
"Kneel and face the wall," he ordered.
"Yes, Master," Sandra replied obediently.
The bodyguard knelt as commanded, silently accepting whatever treatment her master intended to give. Meanwhile, Estelle's sense of dread grew heavier. No—this was no longer just a bad feeling. She knew exactly what Hector was about to do.
"From now on, Sandra will receive punishment for every mistake you make outside this mansion," Hector said, glancing at Estelle. "Twenty lashes for each mistake."
"W-what?"
None of this made any sense! How could someone else be punished for her mistakes? Sandra knew nothing about Julius. It had all been an unavoidable coincidence. How could Hector consider such an unexpected encounter as a crime?!
Estelle's thoughts were interrupted by the sharp crack of the whip striking Sandra's back. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Sandra gripping her own thigh tightly, trying to endure the pain. No… she didn't want another victim.
Her body moved on instinct as she rushed toward Hector and clung to his leg.
"Please let Sandra go," Estelle pleaded. "I was the one at fault. Please… give the punishment to me instead."
Hector smiled cunningly. Now, he knows her weakness. His hand gripped Estelle's jaw, forcing her to lift her head. Her beautiful eyes were filled with tears, and somehow, that sight only made her more alluring in Hector's eyes. His lower body reacted instantly.
"Then tell me … what mistakes did you make today?"
A tear slid down her cheek. "I… met my friend."
"Only met?" Hector pressed.
"I… hugged him."
"And then?"
"I gave him my contact information."
"And then?"
Estelle fell silent, trying to suppress her sobs. "I tried to find out about your past."
Hector's smile widened before he released his grip on her jaw. He ordered Sandra to leave, and the bodyguard quickly withdrew. For a brief moment, Sandra cast a sympathetic glance at Estelle. But she couldn't do anything.
The room fell into silence. The only sound that remained was Hector's footsteps. He sat down at the edge of the bed and spread his legs apart, revealing something that made Estelle immediately turn her face away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"With the total of three mistakes you made today, and considering our agreement regarding the poison antidote you consumed, I won't allow you to sleep tonight."
Estelle kept her gaze averted, too ashamed to look at the indecent sight before her. Of course, she knew exactly what Hector wanted. In the past, she could avoid it easily. But now, she needs to think twice because both Sandra's and Julius's safety are on the line.
"Suck it," Hector commanded.
Estelle's breath caught as her eyes fell on him. Shock flashed across her face before she looked up at him with a pleading expression. Hector already knew what his Little Lioness was about to say, but he waited for her to say it.
"Th-that won't fit…"
A faint smile touched his lips. "Who says you can refuse just because it won't fit?"
Estelle shuddered. She pressed her lips together, cursing silently in her mind.
"Or do you prefer to use your lower lips?" he asked calmly.
"No!" Estelle refused immediately.
"Then do it. Now."
Her fingers tightened against her dress. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. The memory of Sandra receiving punishment in her place made her hesitate even more. The horror hits her even more when she imagines Julius will be dragged into this mess.
"Remember this, Little Lioness," he said softly. "Every mistake has a price."
Estelle's breath trembled.
And somehow, she knew this was only the beginning of every steamy night with him in the future.
***