Aldrich kept his arm firmly around Hailey's waist until they turned the corner, out of sight from the lobby. The moment the tension left her body, her legs gave way.

He caught her effortlessly.

His impossibly handsome face loomed before her—a face she couldn’t forget, not when he’d plan Aldrichd his part in this nightmare.

“Get away! Don’t touch me!”

Those were her last words before darkness swallowed her.

No one had ever dared tell him to get away.

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he swept her into his arms.

“Not touching you?” His lips brushed her ear. “That’s not an option.”

When Hailey awoke, she found herself back in a hotel room—similar decor, but unmistakably different. The previous one must’ve been… uninhabitable after last night.

Memory flooded back. She jerked upright, frantically checking her body. The torn dress was gone, replaced by a modest beige gown.

“Relax. A maid changed you.”

Her head snapped toward the voice.

There, lounging on the sofa, was him.

Even slouched with hands behind his head, the man exuded predatory grace. His obsidian ,sharp disturbingly captivating—locked onto her.

Hailey fched under that gaze, turning instead to the elderly man standing behind him.

The butler—back straight, bearing impeccable—bowed slightly. “Miss Hailey.”

Her stomach twisted. They knew her name. Knew everything, while she knew nothing.

Fists clenched under the sheets, she forced steel into her voice.

“Who are you? What do you want?”

“Is this how you treat your savior?” Aldrich’s tone was glacial.

“Savior?!” Fury overrode fear. “You raped me last night, paraded me before paparazzi today, then kidnapped me here! I could sue you!”

A brow arched. “Saving your career doesn’t count?”

“What?”

“Not a single photo will publish. No scandalous heades. Does that qualify as salvation?”

Her lips parted. Against all logic, she believed him. That aura of absolute authority wasn’t feigned.

“You’re serious?”

He glanced away, as if the question bored him.

The dismissal reignited her anger. “That’s the least you owe me! You think covering your crime makes you some hero?!”

The butler cleared his throat. “Miss Hailey, our investigation shows you were meant for Producer Li’s room last night. A… delivery error brought you to Young Master Aldrich instead.”

Her blood froze. “Producer Li?”

The name alone summoned nausea. That lecher had harassed her for months. Had she been sent to him…

Her gaze flicked to Aldrich’s sculpted features.

At least this one’s easy on the Aldrichs.

“Indeed. As for Young Master… he was drugged. His actions, while regrettable, were beyond control. He wishes to make amends.” The butler produced a folder. “Your documents, please. We’ll proceed to the civil registry at once.”

“Registry?! Are you insane?!” Her laugh bordered on hysterical.

“Quite serious, Miss Hailey.”

“I don’t even know him!”

“Aldrich. CEO of L.N. Group.” The man’s voice cut like winter wind.

She bked. Was this… an introduction? As if naming himself made marriage reasonable?

“Look, we’re adults! One night doesn’t mean—”

“A transaction, then.” His interruption was smooth. “My family insists I marry someone… unsuitable. Pretend to be my wife for six months. Afterwards, you walk away—with generous compensation.”

“Why me?”

For the first time, he smiled.

Hailey had thought his cold elegance striking. But this—this was sunlight fracturing ice. Her breath hitched.

“Because,” he said, “you’re the only woman who’d never cg to me afterward.”