?Chapter 1710:


    William paid little mind, his attention already drifting back to the city lights beyond the windows, his thoughts miles away.


    Time became impossible to track before William registered a wave of dizziness washing over him, his vision swimming out of focus. He initially attributed it to the alcohol, but he had consumed only three sses all evening.


    The dizziness intensified, apanied by an unnatural heat flooding his body. rm bells rang through his mind as he turned toward the exit — but his legs refused to cooperate. He clenched his jaw and forced himself forward, but he had taken only two steps when Hurst blocked his path.


    “Mr. Briggs, are you feeling alright?” Hurst’s eyes locked onto the cold sweat beading on William’s forehead as he stepped closer with exaggerated concern.


    William’s expression hardened. He tried to push Hurst away, but his body had turned traitorously weak.


    “Oh dear! You’ve clearly had too much to drink, Mr. Briggs. I have a private lounge on the second floor — let me help you up there to rest.” Hurst wrapped an arm around William’s shoulders and steered him toward the stairs without waiting for consent.


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    William wanted to fight back, but whatever drug was coursing through his system had taken full effect. His thoughts grew increasingly fragmented and incoherent.


    Hurst maneuvered him into a room with practiced efficiency and deposited him onto the plush bed. A smile curved his mouth as he stepped back. “Rest well, Mr. Briggs. I’ll leave you to it.” The door clicked shut, plunging the room into darkness.


    William sprawled across the bed, his entire body on fire, his blood feeling as though it were literally boiling beneath his skin. Chaotic thoughts and unwanted physical arousal battled for dominance in his rapidly deteriorating consciousness.


    Outside in the hallway, Hurst approached Alisha, who had been waiting nervously in the shadows, and pressed the room key into her palm. She wore a white cocktail dress that emphasized her youth, and her eyes hadn’t left the door since Hurst had guided William inside.


    Hurst studied her carefully. “I’ve arranged everything perfectly. All you need to do is walk through that door, and William will be yours for the taking. You know what to do, right?”


    Alisha swallowed hard, her fingers closing around the key card. “I understand.”


    Satisfaction gleamed in Hurst’s eyes as he patted her shoulder. “Alisha, I’m counting on you. Don’t disappoint me!”


    Alisha drew in a deep, steadying breath and forced herself toward the door. Hurst remained in the shadows, his gaze flickering as he watched her receding figure. If this scheme worked, Dixon Group’s ascension to the top tier would be all but guaranteed. No man would turn down a beautiful woman delivered to him in such a state — Hurst felt absolutely confident that William and Alisha would spend a very productive night together.


    As William’s consciousness continued to fragment, the door opened with a soft click. A slender silhouette slipped inside and locked it quietly behind her.


    “Mr. Briggs…” Alisha’s voice emerged soft and tentative.


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