Addicted To Love

Chapter 4 His Wife

Hans's dominance sent shivers down Renee's spine, especially now with no one around. She nervously swallowed hard.

"Let go of me!"

"Hmm? Weren't you the one taking the lead that night?"

He leaned in closer but she turned her head away, deciding to play dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hey..." He gently gripped Renee's chin. "How could you be so cruel?"

With that, he dipped his head and captured Renee's lips in a kiss.

Just like that night, his kiss was passionate, yet forceful as if he wanted to punish her for something she did wrong.

Renee's heart raced. Could it really be him? But wasn't he just a street thug? How could he be the man standing before her now?

The innate nobility he exuded now was a complete contrast from the bloodied figure she remembered from that night!

Their lips were still pressed together, moving in a heated dance.

The sweetness of her breath brought Hans back to that night of unrestrained passion. His lower abdomen tightened as he instinctively pressed closer.

Alarmed by his movement, Renee mumbled her resistance, "What are you doing?"

"Starting from where we left off..."

"No!" Renee cried out. "I..."

But before she could finish, Hans silenced her with another kiss, making her swallow her words.

Unlike the last encounter when Hans restrained himself, he was more dominant and passionate this time. Renee couldn't resist at all and soon found herself pressed against the nearby counter by him.

He aggressively lifted her skirt and moved against her.

As she trembled, he whispered in her ear, "Remember my name. I'm Hans Morton!"

Hans Morton?

Renee nearly forgot to struggle as she realized the man before her was none other than Hans Morton, the ruthless tycoon of the Chicago business world.

Rumors swirled about his cutthroat and decisive nature, his swift and commanding ways. Companies that dared to oppose him in the market rarely survived beyond a year, and it seemed women fared no better in his presence. In just his two years back in Chicago, two women had met tragic fates by his side. One dead, the other driven mad. How had she ended up entangled with this devil?

Unconcerned with Renee's thoughts, Hans was in a surprisingly good mood and tidied her wet hair occasionally.

Renee swatted away the hand that had just been wandering brazenly beneath her, saying, "Mr. Morton, no need to bother you. I'll handle this myself."

What a feisty woman, just like a cat that disregarded its owner once it got what it wanted.

With a playful smirk, Hans watched her closely as he crossed his arms. "You still haven't told me your name."

Renee's hand trembled a little at his words. "I don't think that's necessary because we're done here!"

Before Hans could react, Renee had bolted out the door.

Watching her swift departure, Hans narrowed his eyes.

As soon as Renee was out of Hans's sight, tears welled up in her eyes. Behind her, Chase's impatient voice sounded. "What took you so long? You spent ages in the restroom!"

Renee quickly sniffled, assuring herself she was fine before heading over.

"I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I think I'll head home first."

"Excuse me?" Chase's expression darkened. "I told you that tonight's event is important to me! You're not leaving until I get acquainted with those CEOs here!"

Renee felt a wave of discomfort wash over her, a desperate desire to escape bubbling within. She responded instinctively, "What does your business have to do with me, anyway?"

"When I say stay, you stay! Cut all this backtalk!" Chase snapped, and his hand tended to strike Renee in the face.

In the nick of time, a commanding grip seized Chase's wrist.

With irritation, Chase retorted, "Who the hell are you to stop me?"

"How dare you! Making a scene in the Morton Villa?" Hans's assistant, Allen Cobb, admonished sharply.

Only then did Chase realize who this man was. It was none other than Hans Morton, the esteemed leader of Chicago's business world.

Chase's demeanor swiftly transformed, his tone now brimming with deference. "Sorry, Mr. Morton. I didn't recognize you."

Hans's brief glance at Renee, standing beside Chase, was accompanied by a cold tone as he remarked, "There's never an excuse to hit a woman! I thought the Hastings family was some kind of a prominent family. Haven't anyone taught you that?"

"Mr. Morton, you're right to call me out. I lost my cool there. The Hastings family has a reputation for a strict upbringing. If you've got a moment, maybe we could grab a coffee and chat sometime?"

Although the Echelon Empire was flourishing, it was still a far cry from the might of Archensheen Corporation, owned by the Morton family. Naturally, Chase wanted to cozy up to Hans.

"That won't be necessary," Hans replied disinterestedly. Instead, his gaze shifted toward Renee, feigning casualness as he inquired, "And who is this lady?"

Just when Chase thought all was lost, he seized Renee's hand and pulled her forward upon hearing Hans's inquiry.

"This is my wife, Renee," Chase declared, praising himself internally for keeping Renee around. It turned out that she was still useful to him, after all.

His wife? Hans frowned as a chill crept into his gaze directed at Renee.

Yet, Renee had no desire to engage with him. Even with her inner strength, she couldn't possibly face a man who had just forced himself on her at that moment.

"Are we done here? Then I'll be leaving," Renee stated impassively.

Chase warned her in a hushed tone, "What the hell are you up to now? Don't forget what I told you before we came."

With a disdainful glance at Chase, she retorted, "Do you know what you look like right now? Like a pimp parading his own wife!"

Chase seethed through gritted teeth, "Renee, don't you dare disrespect me like that!"

Though their voices were low, the tension between them was palpable to any onlooker.

Hans's expression darkened gradually while Allen, standing nearby, wondered if there was some issue brewing. Suddenly, Hans spoke up, "There was a tender last month, and if I'm not mistaken, Echelon Empire was involved as well, am I right?"

Chase's spirits lifted at Hans's words. "Yeah. Didn't expect you to know something this trivial, Mr. Morton."

Allen couldn't fathom Chase's amusement with the matter. Hadn't he heard that Hans was a typical workaholic with an impeccable memory?

"Bring the tender documents to my office tomorrow for discussion!" Hans unexpectedly relented.

Chase was momentarily stunned by this sudden stroke of luck.

However, he was no stranger to sudden changes, and he quickly regained his composure.

"Of course, Mr. Morton. I'll personally deliver them tomorrow morning."

"No!" Hans cast a deep glance at Renee, who stood with her head bowed behind Chase.

"Get her to bring them to me!"

Upon hearing that, Renee shot her head up, only to meet Hans's deep and profound gaze.