If things had gone any further, the two of them would''ve been done for by now.


    The thought alone sent a fresh wave of terror through Amara-she couldn''t help but hate whoever had set her up with a vengeance.


    She nced back and saw Hogan still sprawled motionless on the floor. He didn''t seem to be waking up anytime soon, so she breathed a little easier and forced her frantic mind to work. She had to find a way out.


    Her phone had no signal. Calling for help was out of the question. They were on the fourth floor, so jumping out the window was a nonstarter. Her only option was the main door.


    Drawing a deep breath, Amara resolved to go back and pound on the door, yelling for help.


    This was a public hotel, after all. There was no way her luck was so rotten that not a single person would pass by. As long as someone heard her cries and called for help, she''d be safe.


    Having made up her mind, Amara turned to go back. But the moment she spun around, the scene before her made her heart seize, her pupils dting in horror. She nearly screamed.


    Hogan was on his feet. Staggering, he lurched toward the balcony and yanked the door open. His eyes, bloodshot and wild, locked onto her with a hunger that was almost inhuman-there wasn''t a shred of reason left in them.


    Every muscle in his body was taut, making him look like some kind of frenzied beast. Amara was terrified. She screamed, "It''s me, Amara! The person you can''t stand the most-remember? For God''s sake, calm down! Stop!"


    She shouted as loudly as she could, but it was as if Hogan couldn''t hear a word.


    All he saw was a beautiful body, a pretty face-nothing else.


    It was as though a thousand fire ants were crawling beneath his skin, making him desperate and restless. The moment he saw Amara, he lunged at her.


    Amara shrieked and tried to dodge him, but Hogan was on her in an instant. She crashed to the ground, scrambling away just in time to keep his lips from meeting hers.


    But he was already pinning her down, his mouth pressed against her hair, his hands tugging at her clothes. A wave of terror crashed over Amara.


    She dug her nails deep into his shoulder, desperate to make him hurt-anything to snap him out of this-but he didn''t even flinch. Tears pricked at her eyes. Bang!


    Suddenly, the door burst open and several figures rushed in. The scene on the balcony drew shocked gasps.


    Leading the group were Emma and Liliana, with a hotel staffer wielding a master key trailing behind.


    Emma let out a piercing scream, one


    she''d rehearsed in advance. She


    knew exactly what she''d find in this FOOD SO she didn''t even wait to see before shrieking.


    But as she actually took in the sight, she faltered in confusion—why were Amara


    and Hogan scuffling on the balcony, instead of on the bed?


    And despite all thatmotion, both of them were still fully clothed. What on earth...?


    Well, whatever. Isn''t this just the prelude to what she''d expected?


    Emmaposed herself and shouted, "You shameless woman! What do you think you''re doing?"


    The cold air that swept in with the group shattered the heated, oppressive atmosphere in the room.


    The st of chill


    seemed to snap Hogan back, if only a little. The


    redness faded from his eyes and his grip ckened. Amara kicked him


    away hastily clutching her t?r, cor as she stood, fixing Emma and Liliana with a death re.


    Emma wore an expression of outrage, as if deeply offended by Amara''s "indecent behavior."<fn7> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? FιndＮovel</fn7>


    Liliana''s face was tight, her eyes dark and unreadable. She''d always been good at hiding her thoughts. Was it these two who had orchestrated this setup for her and Hogan? Amara could only wonder