[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-251":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},251,37,"Chapter 37: The Predator's Doorbell","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damn, Damian, you're losing your touch!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian Spencer rolled his eyes. \"You’re really mocking me? Forget the hell you were living through before you met her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He shot back, \"I've finally cleared the clouds to see the sun, my friend. As for you, well—it's still a long road ahead.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With a smug grin, Marcellus Alexander tucked Evangeline Montgomery against his side and began to walk away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, you absolute dog!\" Damian roared at their retreating backs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline looked up at him, arching a brow. \"Marcellus, is Damian serious about... her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He’s not a man who trifles with people. If he’s acting like this, he’s actually fallen for her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline exhaled, her shoulders relaxing. \"That’s a relief.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline,\" he muttered, his voice dropping an octave as he pulled her closer. \"Can you stop worrying about other people? How long has it been since you actually paid attention to me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the wounded look in his eyes, she couldn't help but chuckle. \"Why are you acting like a scorned lover?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And what are you? A heartless player who refuses to go home to her man?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline smirked, mirroring his cocky expression. \"That’s just how we men are, darling. Try to be more understanding!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Careful, Evangeline. I think you're itching for a lesson.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The predatory glint in his eyes made the hair on her arms stand up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey? What’s with that look? You look like you're about to devour me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus curled his lip into a dangerous, lopsided smile. \"You’ll find out soon enough.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Without another word, he hoisted her over his shoulder and shoved her into the car. Before she could even straighten her skirt, he leaned in, trapping her against the seat with his heavy frame.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Up front, Wylder Shaw discreetly raised the partition, giving his boss and the woman he adored a bubble of total privacy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, you’re like a runaway pet. I let you out of my sight for five minutes and you stop answering my calls.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What?\" She blinked, feigning innocence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Whenever I let you go, you disappear.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s... it’s called being busy!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is that a page from the 'How to be a Heartless Player' handbook?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m serious!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh really? Serious enough to find time to hire a male masseur?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline leaned in, pecking his lips in a desperate attempt to appease the beast. \"Can we please move past that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus acted the part of the offended king, his chin held high. \"Only if you go home and make it up to me properly.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How do you want me to make it up to you, Marcellus?\" She traced small, burning circles over his chest, her eyes teasing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice was a jagged rasp of forced restraint. She didn't back down; she leaned in closer, goading him. \"I'm right here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus snapped. He grabbed her wandering hand, pinning it to the seat, and crashed his lips onto hers in a savage, possessive kiss. It was a punishment, a claim, a storm of heat that left her breathless and dizzy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She clung to his lapels, her body turning to jelly, until she couldn't take it anymore and nipped his lower lip. He pulled back, a drop of blood beading on his skin. His eyes were dark, manic, and hungry enough to consume her whole.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline shivered. She knew her waist wasn't going to survive the night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus pulled her against his chest, his voice a gravelly warning. \"Stop playing with fire.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She didn't need to be told twice. She stayed deathly still. A man deprived of what he wants is a dangerous thing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When the car finally pulled up to the Elysian Estate, Evangeline scrambled out and bolted for the front door like a track star. The sight of her awkward, desperate sprint made Marcellus let out a low, dark laugh.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ma'am, are you—\" Helen, the head housekeeper, started, but Evangeline flew past her like a blur.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir, what’s gotten into her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She’s running from her punishment,\" Marcellus replied, his eyes following her retreating form with amusement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh,\" Helen said, realization dawning on her. She giggled and retreated to her room, leaving them to it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Thump, thump, thump.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline! Open the door!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus gritted his teeth. \"Evangeline Montgomery, if I have to get the spare key, you are going to be in so much trouble!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Inside, her heart was hammering against her ribs. This was the Elysian Estate—there was nowhere left to run. She squeezed her eyes shut, took a breath to summon her courage, and shuffled toward the door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"One.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The ultimatum rang out from the hallway. Evangeline stomped her foot in panic. \"Ugh!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Two.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Three!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The door swung open just in time. She scurried backward, her eyes wide. \"Ma-Marcellus, let's be reasonable!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Afraid now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stalked toward her like a wolf toying with its prey. When she backed herself into the edge of the bed and tumbled backward, he didn't rush. He let her scramble away, then reached out and dragged her back by the ankles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where are you running, little fox?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His fingers danced over his own shirt buttons, peeling them open to reveal his chest. Evangeline watched, a traitorous lump forming in her throat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He let out a low, mocking laugh.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She cursed herself for being so weak to his charms. Defeated, she gave up the struggle and sprawled out on the bed, lying flat in a display of total surrender.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"There. That’s a good girl.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The wolf finally dove in for his dinner.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, the woman under the duvet groaned as she stirred. Every muscle in her body screamed; she felt like she’d been put through a meat grinder by a dozen heavyweights.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Marcellus walked out of the bathroom, he heard her muffled complaints. A smirk played on his lips. He walked over to the bed and began to massage her aching back with large, practiced hands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmph! Don't think a little massage makes up for it!\" she snapped, still nursing the memory of her useless pleas from the night before.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m making amends as we speak, aren’t I?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She turned her face away, ignoring him. He didn't stop, working the knots out of her shoulders with patient, rhythmic pressure.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">An hour later, the ache began to dull. She tried sitting up, and to her surprise, she felt significantly better.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’s enough. You can stop now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, what do you think of my technique, Ms. Montgomery?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you still talking about that?\" She glared at him, her face flushing with indignation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, alright. I'll drop it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With a final, scathing look, she marched off to get ready.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Downstairs, Helen was waiting. \"Breakfast is ready, sir, ma'am.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Coming!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline downed her milk, grabbed a sandwich, and headed for the door, only to realize she hadn't driven herself. \"Can someone drive me to the office?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ll take you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You’re going to be late, and it’s not on your way. Just have Oliver drop me off.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus didn't even blink. \"Who exactly is going to dock my pay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She rolled her eyes. Billionaire logic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He ate his breakfast with maddening slowness before finally heading out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back at the C&R Atelier, Remi Crawford was waiting with a look of pure, unadulterated curiosity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline... so, how was last night?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, darling, stop trying to turn this into a late-night talk show!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Heh... fair enough! I already know anyway.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They were laughing when her phone buzzed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I see. Thank you so much.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline squealed and tackled Remi in a hug. \"Remi! The 'Feather of Love' collection—I made the top ten!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I knew you could do it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They spun around the room in a fit of excitement before she pulled herself together. \"Okay, focus! I have to start on the design drafts for the top three stage!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The rules of the competition were grueling: the initial round selected ten entries, then the organizers set a theme. Designers had to submit a piece based on that theme, from which the final three would be chosen. The finals were a free-for-all, with the ultimate winner decided by the combined scores of all three designs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline already had her final piece mapped out; now, she just had to survive the theme-based design round.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912340]