?<strong>Chapter 210:</strong>


    “Robbing the girl of her virginity…”


    “Acting indifferent…”


    Though the men weren’t talking about him, their words struck a nerve with Kristopher. A shadow crossed his face as he sat silently at his desk.


    Kristopher’s face darkened, and he pulled a cigarette from his pack. His voice was icy. “You just signed a major deal, and you’re already nning parties? Seems like you don’t care about this contract.”


    The group froze, theirughter dying instantly.


    One of them stammered, “Mr. Norris, it’s just… we thought we could bnce work with a little rxation.”


    Kristopher lit his cigarette with a gold lighter encrusted with diamonds—a statement of his wealth and power. He tossed the lighter onto the coffee table, where itnded with a thud.


    His voice was calm but menacing. “Bnce work? Go do the preliminary research today and send the presentation to Oliver by tomorrow. Or don’t bother showing up again.”


    The men scrambled to gather their things, stammering apologies. “Understood, Mr. Norris! We’ll get to work immediately!”


    Kristopher stood abruptly, his booted foot kicking over the coffee table. The sharp sound echoed through the office as the men bolted for the door.


    On board the yacht, the distant shoreline was just a faint outline. Carrie gazed through the ss as her captors descended into a lifeboat, setting a course for arger vessel nearby.


    As they reached the ship, the endless expanse of the ocean enveloped them, punctuated only by the sporadic cries of seabirds that pierced the quiet.


    Nate leaned forward, his breath warm against Carrie’s neck. “You smell delightful,” he murmured.


    Carrie instinctively recoiled.


    Hindered by her bound legs, she stumbled and fell onto the cold floor.


    Nate, frustration coloring his tone, crouched beside her and gripped her cheeks tightly. “Carrie, are you still not grasping the gravity of your situation?” he hissed. “Everyone here is loyal to me. Where could you possibly—”


    His fury was palpable, his fingers pressing into her skin with such force that it left her cheeks tinged with red.


    Yet, this sharp pain brought a moment of rity. If her fate was sealed, perhaps she couldn’t find a way to survive—but she could decide how to face her end with grace.


    Embracing the inevitable, she no longer felt the weight of fear.


    Through gritted teeth, she forced out the words, “I… I understand.”


    Nate stepped back, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What do you really understand?”


    Her response was cool andposed. “You’re just trying to sleep with me, aren’t you? It seems like you’re putting yourself through an awful lot of trouble just to sleep with me.”


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