Chapter 2 Let Us See Whose Reputation Falls First

"I'll take the job." Nancy replied to the message. Her assistant, Marcus Pitts, froze in shock before trying to call her. She stared at the flashing incoming call and declined without a second thought. Five years ago, everyone in the organization had doubted Hansel. They were convinced a man like him could never have been the one who saved her life in that crash. They had tried to stop her from marrying him. But she had been stubborn, cutting ties with them just to follow her conviction. And now, five years later, she had fallen so far. She did not dare to face the comrades who had once fought at her side. Marcus seemed to understand. He did not call again; instead, he only sent over the details concerning the head of the Gates family. Nancy pressed her lips together. She swore silently to herself that once this mission was over, she would return to the organization and admit her mistakes to her grandfather, Randy Sullivan, and to her comrades. Through careful investigation, she finally tracked down Sebastian's captors to a rundown inn on the outskirts of the city. It was 1:00 am—the perfect time, when the kidnappers were changing shifts on watch duty. She slipped inside unnoticed into the pitch-black room. "Ugh!" Nancy had barely slammed the door shut when a muffled groan of pain reached her ears. But before she could get her bearings, a dark figure lunged at her, pinning her to the floor in a compromising position. She recognized Sebastian in the sliver of moonlight filtering through the window. It had been easier to locate him than she expected. Relief barely had time to settle before she felt his hand groping across her chest. Startled, she swung her hand and slapped him across the face. "You dare hit me?" His eyes burned scarlet, like a predator in the night. "Try that again and see what happens," she snapped. "Get off me, or I swear I'll make sure you never stand up again." He didn't answer. His breathing grew heavy, and an unnatural flush spread across his sharp features. It was clear he was struggling to stay in control. "Was he drugged?" she muttered after a quick check. He had been given a muscle relaxant, plus a heavy dose of an aphrodisiac. No wonder the man said to have brought down the Gates family singlehandedly was taken so easily. Her amused expression must have been too obvious, because Sebastian suddenly snarled, "You're one of them? Or worse—are you the one behind this?" His hand shot to her throat. "Just to force me into marriage? How despicable." What kind of nonsense was this man spouting? Her fury ignited. She twisted his wrist sharply, flipping him onto his back and straddling him in one swift move. "If I'd known you were this full of yourself, I would've let those kidnappers have their way. The great Sebastian, overpowered and defiled—imagine the headlines." She spoke with biting sarcasm, her teeth clenched in anger. Nothing set her off like someone grabbing her by the throat. "You—" Whatever he meant to say was cut off by voices outside the door. The kidnappers' boss had arrived. Nancy smirked. "Looks like your precious reputation won't survive the night." But before she could finish, Sebastian clamped her wrists and hauled her against him, his voice low and dangerous. "Get me out of here, or we'll see whose reputation is ruined first." She struggled, but his grip was strong as iron, and she was furious enough to curse. Sebastian grew even more shameless, biting her lip. Every time she struggled, the scoundrel pressed closer, prying her lips apart and forcing a kiss. "Ugh! Bastard!" Her lips stung, and she caught a faint metallic taste of blood. Then she heard him whispering in her ear, his voice dark and threatening. "That was just a warning. Say no again, and I'll knock you out and hand you over to them." Her eyes blazed. She slipped the concealed needle from her ring and slammed it against his skin. The sedative worked instantly. As he slumped into unconsciousness, she kicked him a few times for good measure before hauling his dead weight out into the night. Half an hour later, at the hospital, she handed Sebastian over and saw Marcus in person for the first time since her wedding. When it was done, she turned to leave. "Ms. Sullivan," Marcus called softly. "I'll return to Grandpa and admit my mistakes," she said, her voice low and heavy. She didn't dare linger. Marcus paused, then said, "Mr. Gates is not looking good. I'll take him into treatment. Wait for me in the cafe downstairs. Please don't disappear again." She didn't answer, but headed toward the cafe anyway. Just then, a man in a suit brushed past her in a hurry. She caught a glimpse of his ID badge and realized he was Sebastian's aide. But something felt off. Nancy suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head, memories of the car accident flashing before her eyes. She was not sure if her memory was playing tricks on her, but she could have sworn she had seen Sebastian's assistant at the scene back then. He was following a man—a man who seemed to be calling out to her, "Nancy! You shameless woman, are you stalking me now?"