A Passion That Defies Fate

Chapter 4 Would You Marry Me

Pioneer Pharma Labs was like a scene straight out of a sci-fi flick, stuffed with state-of-the-art equipment, bustling researchers, and cameras covering every nook and cranny.

With Alan by her side, Zoey didn't stand a chance to sneak into any of the lab's off-limits areas. Instead, she flitted about like a chicken with its head cut off and constantly dropped exaggerated oohs and aahs while snapping selfies in a lab coat.

Two hours later, after her hidden camera had recorded everything in the non-restricted areas, Zoey, drained and achy, declared she needed a break.

She tried to take off the lab coat to return it, but Alan snatched it from her, claiming he'd bought it.

"Why'd you buy it?" Zoey asked.

"I wanna see you wear it at home," Alan whispered in her ear with a smirk. "Try wearing nothing underneath next time."

''Pervert! All he thinks about are his perverted fantasies! What a creep!'

Zoey suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and instead put on a bashful yet eager facade.

In the afternoon, claiming she needed to prep for the evening's performance, Zoey left the lab alone and took a cab to the strip club.

But instead of entering the club, she crossed the hallway and slid into the passenger seat of a black Mercedes.

Behind the wheel was Francis, the young hotshot lawyer, who was dressed to the nines in a tailor-made suit. His shirt was buttoned to the top, and he was immaculate from his hair down to his manicured fingertips. He tapped on the steering wheel while eyeing Zoey, whose neck and shoulders bore telling love bites.

With a half-smile, he said, "I always thought only animals couldn't control their mating urges anytime, anywhere."

Zoey's fingers trembled slightly as she removed the hidden camera.

Despite realizing that Francis didn't care about her, his cutting mockery still stung Zoey with shame, anger, and sadness...

But she wouldn't stay passive forever. She'd protect herself, stand up for her dignity, and give her vicious ex a taste of his own medicine.

Summoning her sultry and teasing demeanor as she did with Alan, Zoey leaned towards Francis, tapped his lips with her finger, and drawled, "Oh, dear Francis, when you were with me, weren't you just another beast obsessed with mating? Have you forgotten?"

Francis recoiled as if stung by a scorpion, his back slamming against the car door with a thud.

''Turns out even a cold, calculating lawyer who's all about business can show a flustered face when caught off guard, huh?'

Zoey burst into a hearty laugh, her hand pressing down on Francis' thigh as she leaned into him and teased, "What about that time on the beach, huh? What did you do to me then?"

"Enough." Francis frowned, his striking blue eyes glaring at Zoey as he commanded, "Cut the act. Don't use your facade on me."

"Facade? How do you know this flirty side of me isn't the real deal?"

"Zoey, stop it." Francis gave in, unlike his usual demeanor. His voice softened, like a mournful cello. "I know who you really are. I know playing a stripper is hard on you."

''Oh, so he knew that clearly.'

Zoey scoffed at herself. 'Yeah, he knew all right. He knew how hard it was for me to play the part of a frivolous dancer, how much it hurt me to seduce other men, yet he still pushed that deal on me, refusing to let me step back. He doesn't love me, so he doesn't mind using me or hurting me.'

Zoey's interest waned as she withdrew her hand, tossing the hidden camera into Francis' lap and preparing to get out of the car without a word.

"Wait, Zoey." Francis sensed Zoey's distress and grabbed her wrist. "About our conversation last night—there's been some misunderstanding."

"I'm not interested." Zoey tried to pull her hand away.

''Damn! He's so powerful. Why does this guy, who usually does nothing more strenuous than typing and signing documents, have the strength like Alan, that mercenary?'

"Don't be stubborn." Francis used his other hand to gently force Zoey to look at him, and he continued calmly, "I don't want to end the deal not because I don't care about you, but because I'm confident I can keep you safe, understand?"

"And how exactly are you going to ensure that? You got some invisible superheroes stashed somewhere around me?" Zoey challenged.

Francis locked eyes with Zoey, his tone serious and suggestive. "Alan is unlikely to hurt you, Zoey. I chose you for this job not just because you needed it, but because you're special."

His words, crisp and soothing, his gaze confident, always had a way of being persuasive.

But Zoey wasn't the naive girl from two years ago who fell for him and would give everything for him.

She scoffed and kept pressing him. "So my safety is at the mercy of Alan's whims? What happens if the unlikely occurs and Alan decides to kill me?"

Francis' silence was all the answer she needed.

If Alan decided to hurt Zoey, Francis would do nothing.

Francis was a sharp cookie, who could calculate every cost and benefit down to the last penny. From the moment he pushed Zoey to seduce Alan, her life became just another expendable asset to him.

With her hand still caught in Francis' grip, Zoey brought it to her lips. He still held onto it, but she bit down hard, leaving a deep mark that nearly drew blood.

Francis hissed in pain and pulled his hand back. Seizing the moment, Zoey flung open the car door and slammed it shut with a vengeance as she bolted.

Inside the car, Francis held his throbbing hand and watched Zoey disappear into the strip club.

His usually impeccable facade cracked, showing brief glimpses of confusion and pain, which were quickly masked by determination and cold resolve.

"No half-measures, Francis," he muttered to himself. "Don't let history repeat itself."

He wrapped a handkerchief around his bitten hand to cover the mark Zoey left, as if that could cover the turmoil inside.

The following week passed without any major events. Zoey made another trip to the lab with Alan. Although he wasn't glued to her side, the ever-present cameras kept her from venturing into any restricted areas to search for the key.

Saturday night was a booming time at the strip club.

Zoey had just finished her last dance, clad only in a bikini made of some pearls, when the entire club plunged into darkness. Amid the startled cries of patrons, spotlights focused on Zoey on stage and another on Alan, who was standing a few feet away.

Just then, romantic music filled the air as Alan approached Zoey with a large bouquet of fiery roses.

''This moment finally comes,' thought Zoey.

Alan's proposal signaled that he hadn't strayed from his plan to take advantage of her. Zoey could almost hear his icy voice in her ear. He said he wouldn't let her live long enough to the wedding day.

Despite the chill in her heart, Zoey's face showed only delighted surprise. With a broad smile, she accepted the flowers and watched as Alan knelt before her, producing an emerald-set ring.

"Would you marry me, Zoey?" Alan said while looking up at her.