Nichs went silent, brushing her hand away from his face.


    Scarlette felt the sting on her hand but shrugged it off. She stepped out of the car and moved to the driver''s seat. "I''ll drive you home. You''re the CEO now, you shouldn''t be gallivanting around by yourself. The Greenard family has a lot of eyes on them, and you could be in danger."


    Nichs sat in the back, a reckless feeling bubbling up inside him.


    "Why not just let me die? I''m not interested in living anyway."


    The car came to a screeching halt. Scarlette gripped the steering wheel tightly. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    Nichs caught the flicker of concern in her eyes and shed a sly grin. "Ah, so you do care if I die."


    Scarlette turned to re at him, ready to let loose, but the wildness in his eyes held her back. She just said, "Let me take you home."


    "I''m not going home."


    "Then I''ll drop you at the office."


    "I don''t want to go there either."


    Her patience was wearing thin, and she finally gave in. "You can''te to my ce."


    "What, already moved in with him? Should I start calling him ''brother-inw,'' or would that be awkward?"


    "Nichs!!"


    Scarlette mmed on the brakes, her face flushing with anger. "What do you want?"


    "Break up with him."


    He leaned in, speaking quickly, "If you want me off your back, break up with him. Stop dating altogether, and maybe I''ll leave you alone."


    Scarlette was silent for a few moments, then turned to face him. "I''m bringing him to meet the Greenard family in a few days. Quit joking."


    Nichs shrugged, his tone suddenly light. "Alright, if things go south, I''ll just tell the Greenard family elders that I''ve shared a bed with you."


    Scarlette was seething, grinding her teeth in frustration. Nichs was known as a living nightmare to outsiders, and she saw him the same way—always quick to switch gears and say the most chilling things with a smile.


    She chose silence, driving on without a word.


    He leaned over and pecked her cheek. "Not going to the Greenard family, just drop me at your ce. I promise I won''t go up."


    Scarlette''s voice was calm, almost icy. "I''m driving. Stop fidgeting."


    Nichs settled down, quiet for the rest of the ride.


    The car stopped outside Scarlette''s apartmentplex. As she got out, Nichs called out, "Wait."


    Her heart softened a bit, remembering their years of friendship. She turned slowly. "Go home, put some ice on your face, and don''te looking for me anytime soon."


    Nichs grinned. "Come here, I have something to tell you."


    Scarlette frowned, wary of his intentions.


    As she stepped closer, Nichs yanked her back into the car, kissing her neck


    with reckless abandon, leaving marks everywhere.


    Furious, Scarlette raised her hand to p him, but he caught it swiftly.


    "Go ahead, p me. It''d just be icing on the cake right now."


    Arguing with someone so shameless left her feeling powerless.


    Even though Scarlette was a powerhouse in the business world, she was at a loss with him at that moment.


    Nichs moved from her neck, kissing and nibbling downwards, only releasing her after ten relentless minutes.


    Scarlette quietly adjusted her clothes, her face dark with anger.


    Most people would steer clear of her in such a mood, but Nichs just leaned in, nting a firm kiss on her tightly pressed lips.


    "Are you sure you want to take Morgan to meet the Greenards? I can''t promise I won''t make a scene."


    Scarlette said nothing, quickly tidying herself before opening the door to leave.


    Nichs wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, "You haven''t answered me. Are you really taking him home?"


    Scarlette''s expression shifted several times, at a loss for words.


    "Let go."


    Nichs, satisfied with his night of mischief, finally released her.


    As he watched Scarlette walk away, he lit a cigarette, then removed the car''s camera to download the photos of their encounter.


    The handsome man and beautiful woman, caught in the dim light, made for a striking image.


    He had nned to send them to Morgan, but his finger hovered over the send button, unable to press it.


    He took a deep drag, immersing himself in the video he had just recorded.


    From Scarlette''s anger to helplessness, to her tender concern for his bruised face,


    and finally to being pinned down for a ten-minute kiss.


    His body heated up, feeling like he was about to explode.


    He tossed the cigarette, leaned back, and exhaled slowly.


    "Scarlette..."