STARK OBSESSION

CHAPTER NINE

“Calm down, Nicole, I was just getting to know my sister-in-law,” Tammy said, stepping in front of me like she could protect me from the storm I felt coming.

“You don’t know what she’s capable of, Tammy. She’s the girl who faked her accident to get my attention,” Nicole snapped, forging forward.

“What?!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Yeah. Do you really think someone would harm herself that way just to get your attention?” Tammy asked, equally incredulous.

“The person is right behind you,” Nicole added, his face hardening.

My stomach dropped. Tammy’s eyes widened, but she didn’t argue; she just knew it was time to step back.

“Go home, Tammy. Give me and my wife some space. We need to catch up after my long travels,” Nicole said, his voice low and serious.

Tammy shot him a warning glance before leaving, shutting the door behind her.

I swallowed hard. Just Nicole and me. The room suddenly felt smaller, heavier, like the walls were closing in.

“I never forced or tricked anyone. I was forced as well,” I blurted, snatching my hand back and stepping away from him.

“Forced?” he smirked. “Were you forced when you planned to extort money from me with your boyfriend?”

My mind froze. My foot hit the bed, and I stumbled back, my heart hammering. “I planned nothing with anyone, Nicole. If you’re angry because I talked to your sister, I apologize. I’ll steer clear of her from now on.”

He didn’t seem satisfied. “Oh, kitten, don’t act naive with me. Everyone knew I was in town, so you and your boyfriend decided to appear in front of my car to claim damages. Unfortunately, I had the press handle it.”

My vision blurred as memories from that night with Jude flashed before me. The accident… it was him. It had been Nicole all along.

“It… it was you?!” I gasped, recognition hitting me like a punch to the gut.

“I’ll give it to you—you’re a good actress. Still pretending to be innocent?” His voice was low, dangerous, as he stepped closer.

I tried to back away but lost my footing and fell against the floor. Desperation made me reach out and grab his shirt, pulling him down with me.

Instinctively, he guided me to the bed, placing his hands beside my head. I froze. His face was just inches from mine, his intense gaze pinning me.

“Uh, I—I’m sorry…” I stammered, heart racing.

“This is what you want?” Nicole whispered. His eyes searched mine, trying to see through me.

I shook my head violently, placing my hands on my chest to push him away, but he caught one and pinned it above my head.

“Shying away from your wifely duties, kitten?” His voice husky, teasing.

“No, Nicole! You’re misunderstanding me!” I whispered, barely audible.

He scoffed. “You’re quite corny, Rory. Saying you don’t want me, yet your hands are all over me.”

Goosebumps prickled my skin. I slowly removed my hand from his chest, curling it over my own.

“Look at me, Rory,” he commanded, hypnotic.

I didn’t want to, but I obeyed. My green eyes met his pale blue ones. For a heartbeat, we just stared, thoughts colliding silently.

His gaze softened, almost imperceptibly, as he noticed my fear, my innocence. But the hardness returned instantly. He lowered his face toward mine.

I tried to look away, but he grabbed my face, holding it in place. My heart pounded as I blinked rapidly. His lips were a breath away when he suddenly paused.

“You’re cheap. Acting innocent, but deep down… you’re just a girl chasing a quick thrill and easy cash,” he spat, pushing me away and rising to his full height.

“Stay away from me and my family. Less than a year until this contract ends. Abide by the rules till then,” Nicole said, eyes narrowed, before storming out.

I stayed on the bed, trembling. Tears pricked my eyes. I bit my lips, holding back sobs. His words cut deeper than anyone else’s ever had. They weren’t just insults—they were judgments, final and merciless.

He was the man from that night. He paid my medical bills. He saved me. I should’ve been grateful, but now… he believed I’d plotted it all.

I wiped my tears and stood, facing myself in the mirror. Hair disheveled, cheeks flushed, but my body… it was in shape. I took a deep breath. Less than a year. I wouldn’t waste it.

I wasn’t innocent in every way. I had planned to seduce him—not for love, but to secure Noona’s favor and reclaim my mother’s property.

The tension between us was high, but I had to find a subtle way to get what I wanted. A night with him would solve all my problems.

I was still staring at myself in the mirror when my phone buzzed. Thinking it was another contract, I picked it up.

But the screen made me gasp. An invitation to an interview at Stark Designs Limited.