I Was Only His Substitute

Chapter 7

"Mr. Stevens, this..." Andy gaped at the scene, "The Web International deal..."

"Shut it! Clean this mess!" Vincent cut in, storming forward to seize Gloria's arm.

"Move!"

Gloria staggered as he yanked her out. Passing George's corpse, her gaze flickered—his death wasn't part of the plan.

Vincent hauled Gloria back to Lakeview Villa.

"Activate the sprinklers now!" he roared the moment they entered.

Dozens of jets erupted instantly, icy water blasting from every angle.

He shoved Gloria into the garden under the torrent.

"Scrub!" Vincent growled, "Wash off that lowly vibe! Every inch he touched!"

The freezing water penetrated to her bones. Her act shattered, voice venomous. "You sent me to him, Vincent. You delivered me to George!"

"I didn't order you to grovel and undo his belt!" He snatched a hose, water pounding her. "Years of training, pulling you from the gutter, it's not for you to crawl back!"

"Then why?" Gloria's voice spiked, eyes locked on his. "To remake me? Now the real one's back. Shouldn't the fake one return to the dirt?"

Vincent flinched. Tossing the hose aside, he rasped, "Weren't you Willtown's thorniest rose? Didn't you always stab anyone who touched you, even me? Why obey this time?"

"Don't pretend. With Miss Stevens returned, do I even rate?"

"Dora's... just spoiled rotten. She never meant harm. You could've fought back."

Gloria watched him, then let out a low, bitter chuckle.

"Did you hear yourself?"

His body stiffened. Avoiding her eyes, he spat, "Think about what you've done!" before striding off.

His bodyguards stood watch. Gloria remained, drenched in the relentless downpour till dawn.

At daybreak, she lumbered back to her room.

Fever spiked swiftly.

Trapped in nightmares, she thrashed but got no exit in sight.

Gloria didn't know how long had passed, but the door crashed open.

Vincent ripped away the sheets, dragging the fever-dazed Gloria from bed.

Gloria was thrown heavily to the floor, her forehead hitting the bed's corner, blood instantly welling up. She struggled to open her eyes, and through her blurred vision, she saw Vincent's tense jawline.

"Dora has been kidn*pped," he said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. "It's the Burnett family. You'll be the hostage. Get her back."

Gloria's fever-fogged mind processed the words slowly.

After a few seconds, she let out a low laugh.

"Everyone knows George took you away," he said, dragging Gloria toward the door, "and they know he died in your presence."

Gloria lifted her heavy eyelids and stared at him. "But you're the one who killed him!"

"That was because of you!" Vincent avoided her gaze. "If it weren't for you..."

"Fine." Gloria cut him off, her voice barely audible.

Vincent's steps faltered at her calm response. He looked at her, his tone softening involuntarily. "Don't worry. Once Dora is safe, I'll find a way to get you out."

Gloria kept her head bowed, silent. Under her sleeve, her phone emitted a faint glow, displaying two text messages.

[I can keep you safe. Will you come with me?]

[Yes.]