Chapter 6

"None of your business!" Cassandra reached for her phone on instinct, but Ronan snatched it first. "Give it back!" She lunged to grab it, but he caught her wrist and tightened his grip until she scowled in pain. "Let go!" "Explain it. Where were you planning to go with that plane ticket?" Ronan stared at her, his gaze sharp enough to cut. Cassandra lifted her chin and refused to back down. "I'm taking the male escort I booked to the Maldera Islands for a vacation. Happy now?" "A male escort?" Ronan's face darkened instantly. He let out a low laugh that sounded more like anger. "Fine! It looks like I've gone too long without teaching you a lesson." "What are you talking about?" A shiver ran through Cassandra. She turned to run, but he yanked her back and pinned her hard against the clear glass wall of his office. "What are you doing?" Ronan tore the zipper down her back without hesitation, the cold air hitting her bare skin. "Ronan!" She was really terrified. "Are you out of your mind? This is your office." "It's not like we haven't done it here before." He caught her struggling hands and pressed them flat against the glass, holding her there. "But this is clear glass!" "So what?" He bent toward her ear, his voice dark with excitement. "Cass, you're the one who made me angry. So, you're going to take what comes next." Cassandra went rigid, like she had been dropped into ice. Why did Marissa get treated like something precious, while she got treated like a bedmate he could play with whenever he felt like it? Just because she had embarrassed Marissa in that meeting, he was ready to humiliate her and make a public spectacle of it, crushing her dignity under his heel. A broken sound caught in her throat. Her resistance meant nothing to him. She was forced against the cold glass, her eyes catching the movement of people passing outside. She bit down hard on her lip to keep herself from making a sound, but he seemed determined to crush whatever pride she had left, forcing her to endure it in the most humiliating way possible. In the end, Cassandra couldn't hold on anymore. Her nails scraped the glass, the shrill sound cutting through the air. She felt like the people outside were turning to look, watching her fall apart. Something inside her snapped. Tears spilled out as her strength gave out. Ronan hauled her upright with one arm and pulled the zipper back up. Seeing how shattered she looked, he paused, then softened his tone a little. "Relax. The glass was replaced. It's one-way and soundproof—" Cassandra's palm cracked across his face. Her eyes were bloodshot as she glared at him. "You bastard, Ronan Pierce!" Grinding her teeth, she staggered out on trembling legs, limping with every step. Ronan really was a bastard. At least he didn't press her about the ticket again. If he had, with the way his control ran in his blood, he would have found an even crueler way to humiliate her. Cassandra clutched her phone tightly, already thinking about going back to pack. When she reached the first floor of the headquarters and was about to hail a cab, Marissa walked up and dangled a set of keys in front of her, the kind that belonged to the newest model of a sports car. "This is the new car Ronan had custom-built for me. There's only one like it in the world," Marissa said with a smile. "Want me to give you a ride, since we're going the same way?" "No." Cassandra let out a cold laugh and covered her nose. "I don't ride in cars that stink of fake innocence." "Cassandra!" With no one else around, Marissa dropped the act in an instant, her face twisting. "You're just being stubborn! I'm telling you right now, I'll have Mom and Dad kick you out of the Hart family soon!" Cassandra looked her up and down with open contempt. "That dump only matters to trash like you. You're the only one who'd treat it like it's everything." Marissa's expression darkened. She grabbed Cassandra, her voice turning sharp. "Say that again if you dare!" "I can say it ten thousand times! You're trash! Let go of me!" In the middle of their struggle, a sharp crack echoed overhead. Cassandra looked up and saw the massive chandelier above them coming loose, dropping straight down toward both of them. Marissa's scream tore through Cassandra's ears. In that split second, Cassandra saw Ronan rushing over, panic written all over his face. He ran right past her and pulled Marissa into his arms. Cassandra took the full impact. The chandelier slammed into her with brutal weight, and blood poured out as her body convulsed. It felt like flesh and bone were being ripped apart. Pain tore through her nerves so violently she could barely breathe. Cassandra forced her eyes open and looked toward Ronan. This was the man who used to discipline her but still protected her whenever she was in danger. Now, he was holding Marissa, his face full of concern. He didn't spare Cassandra even a single glance. Marissa glanced over from Ronan's arms and smiled again. Her triumphant smile clearly said, "See? Cassandra, you lost again." Cassandra laughed, and as she did, tears slid down her face. Blood and bitterness clogged her throat. The pain was so intense she nearly suffocated. She couldn't hold on anymore. Her vision went black, and she collapsed.