CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84- NEVER FORGET ME

"Boss, Miss Louis called earlier. She said she knows where Madam is. If you keep ignoring her calls, you’ll regret it!" Novia’s voice carried urgency as she relayed Elvira’s message.

Charles, who had been flipping through a stack of documents, immediately froze. His pen dropped onto the desk with a sharp clink. His eyes, cold and piercing, narrowed into sharp lines.

Elvira?

How would she know where Janet is? Shouldn’t Janet be with Peggy right now?

A bad feeling surged through him.

He called Janet—no answer.

His heart sank.

Without another word, Charles grabbed his car keys and stormed into the elevator. As the doors closed, he redialed the number that had persistently blown up his phone all morning—Elvira’s.

The moment she picked up, she had just stepped out of the hotel.

"Hah... Charles," she said with a cruel chuckle, savoring the moment. "Your beautiful fiancée? She’s currently wrapped up in another man’s arms. I wonder... will you get there in time to stop what’s already begun?"

"You’d better start talking." Charles’s voice was pure frost, the tendons in his hands bulging as he clutched the steering wheel. His eyes darkened with murderous intent.

The moment Elvira gave him the name of the hotel, Charles stepped on the accelerator like a demon unleashed.

Manfred... if you’ve touched her, I swear I’ll bury you alive.

—

In the hotel suite, soft, humid kisses traced a path from Janet’s collarbone down to her chest. Manfred hovered over her like a predator savoring a rare delicacy. Every breath, every whimper that escaped Janet’s lips fanned the flames inside him.

"Stop... please..."

She knew it was Manfred—she was fully conscious of that now. And still, her body refused to fight back. The shame, the helplessness, the humiliation... it suffocated her.

"Manfred... you’re a monster. I hate you!"

Her tears rolled down her cheeks, into the hollow of her neck—where they were gently kissed away by the very man she despised. He stroked her hair tenderly, his voice a low whisper against her ear.

"Does accepting me... really hurt you this much, Janet?"

She kept calling Charles’s name.

To Manfred, it felt like his pride was being flayed open. For one agonizing moment, he truly wanted to have her—right here, right now—just to leave a mark Charles could never erase.

But he couldn’t do it.

Because this was the second time he’d fallen for someone.

And this time... it was deeper.

As he pulled the straps of her dress off her shoulders, revealing skin as pale as ivory, Janet trembled under him. The last thread of dignity within her screamed in horror. But just as she thought the nightmare would finally cross the line—

Flash!

The door burst open.

Blinding lights flooded the room as a swarm of reporters stormed in, cameras snapping, microphones shoved forward.

Janet froze, her mind going blank.

"Mr. Manfred, is it true you’re in a private suite with the future wife of Black Rock Co.’s CEO?"

"Miss Louis! Is it true you’re cheating on your fiancé before the wedding?"

"Did you come here willingly or were you—"

"Is this an affair or a scandal arranged by the ZT Group?"

Janet’s entire world spun. Her ears rang with each humiliating question. Manfred still held her under the sheets, not completely exposed but just enough to make it look exactly like something unspeakable had happened.

And that’s when she realized—this had all been a setup.

The trap had been laid from the beginning.

Then—

"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU, GET OUT!"

A thunderous roar shook the walls.

The reporters shrieked and stumbled back as Charles stormed into the room, his face ashen with fury, his aura like a blade drawn from hell itself.

Janet’s eyes turned red as she saw him.

Charles’s gaze landed on the scene in front of him: Janet lying under the sheets in another man’s arms, her skin stained with kiss marks. His heart was torn apart.

In a flash, he stepped forward and threw a vicious punch into Manfred’s jaw, sending the man crashing against the headboard.

Then, without a word, Charles wrapped Janet in the blanket, lifted her in his arms, and turned to leave—rage, betrayal, and heartbreak burning in his eyes.

Manfred coughed, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He gave a half-smile, bitter and wild.

"She won’t forgive me... but at least she’ll never forget me."

Charles drove the car like a man possessed, speeding back to their villa. Not a word escaped his lips the entire way. His eyes were fixed ahead, sharp and unyielding.

Janet wanted to speak, to explain, but every excuse felt weak and hollow. She had just realized Manfred’s true plan — to use the media as a weapon against Charles. And Charles’s cold silence made her feel even smaller, more ashamed.

The car screeched to a halt.

Without hesitation, Charles scooped Janet out of the car and carried her inside. He stormed up the stairs, kicked open the bathroom door, and plunged her into the bathtub filled with icy water.

The shock of the cold against her burning skin felt like a cruel paradox — ice and fire battling inside her.

Janet shivered violently but knew Charles was hurting more than she was.

"Charles, it’s not what you think. Manfred didn’t do anything to me — he drugged me. I feel awful..." Janet’s soaked lingerie clung to her trembling frame as she looked up at the silent man, her big eyes brimming with fear. The chill emanating from the room spoke volumes — he was more furious than she had ever seen before.

"I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Charles," she sobbed, raising her tear-streaked face. But she was terrified of meeting his icy gaze — that coldness would cut deeper than any insult.

"If nothing happened, then why are you apologizing?" Charles’s voice was calm but heavy, watching her flushed cheeks and restless movements. He knew about the drug inside her. From the moment he saw the scene back there, he understood Manfred’s plan had worked.

He knew Janet was the victim. He knew it wasn’t her fault.

But seeing her half-naked, lying beside another man... his blood boiled.

Every inch of her belonged to him — no one else had the right to look, let alone touch.

"Charles, please believe me. Nothing happened, I swear!" Janet pleaded, desperation in her voice. She was grateful Manfred hadn’t gone all the way, but she’d never forgive him for what he’d done today — to her, and to Charles.

Charles listened quietly. Then, with a steady gaze, he began removing his own clothes.

Step by step, he moved closer to her...