Chapter Six Was Forcefully Kissed
988 Words
"Mr. Harrington, you called for me?" Elena stepped into the CEO’s office, forcing herself to stay calm.
Adrian set down his coffee cup and pulled open a drawer, retrieving a delicate, velvet-lined box. He gestured for Elena to come over and handed it to her.
"Take it."
Elena eyed the box warily, every nerve in her body on high alert.
"What is it?"
"A necklace," Adrian said, a small, unreadable smile curving his lips. "Want me to put it on for you?"
Immediately, Elena took a step back.
"I don’t need it. I’m sure one of your women would be more eager to wear it."
Adrian raised an amused brow.
"Nervous?" he teased. "Most women would be thrilled."
Was this her playing hard to get? Or was she genuinely resisting him? Interesting.
"I’m not nervous," she replied, frowning. "But why would you give me a necklace?"
I’m your secretary, not your lover.
Adrian chuckled, leaning lazily against the desk.
"Pretty women should wear pretty things. A beautiful woman without a dress and jewelry isn’t a beautiful woman."
Elena blinked in confusion.
"Forgive me, Mr. Harrington, but I don’t quite follow."
Without warning, Adrian grabbed her wrist and placed the box firmly in her palm.
"It means I’m giving this to you. Go buy yourself a decent dress. You’re coming with me to a business event tonight. Don’t embarrass me. I’ll send a car to pick you up."
Elena was stunned.
So… the necklace was just for tonight’s event?
Who the hell gives their secretary a necklace for a social dinner?
Was he insane? Even if he was ridiculously rich, throwing money around like this, how was Harrington Corporation not bankrupt yet?
As for those so-called business galas, they were nothing more than showy events where men sized each other up and women competed for attention.
The only thing remotely appealing about tonight’s party would probably be the dessert table.
Wearing the necklace Adrian had given her, along with a simple black, form-fitting knee-length dress, Elena looked effortlessly elegant. It wasn’t show-stopping enough to overshadow the host’s women, but it highlighted her natural grace.
When Adrian first saw her, a flash of genuine admiration passed through his eyes.
Offering his arm like a gentleman, he led her into the grand ballroom, and instantly, they became the center of attention.
After making the rounds and greeting a few business moguls, Adrian was quickly surrounded by a crowd of flirtatious socialites.
The notorious playboy was in his element, drinking and laughing as he danced with Victor’s only daughter, Vivienne Lancaster — the heiress of Sovereign Electronics.
Left on her own, Elena felt relieved to be free from the suffocating crowd, if only those pesky, unwanted admirers would leave her alone too.
Turning down dance after dance, she finally made her way to the refreshment table, picking up a glass of juice.
"Would you honor me with a dance, Miss Grace?"
Another one. Elena sighed and looked up, ready to decline when the man interrupted her.
"My daughter’s occupied with your boss," Victor grinned, his tone half-mocking. "I assume his secretary wouldn’t mind keeping me company for a dance?"
Before Elena could protest, Victor took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.
"You…" Elena started, wanting to refuse.
"Think carefully, Miss Grace," Victor’s eyes narrowed. "Do you know what it would mean to turn me down?"
His tone left no room for argument.
Elena clenched her jaw. She couldn’t cause a scene here and ruin the event for everyone, especially not Adrian.
As they danced, Victor’s grip on her waist tightened, pulling her closer.
Caught off guard, Elena stumbled against him, and in that moment, under the dim, shifting lights, Victor’s lips brushed against hers.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
How dare he?!
Fury and humiliation surged through her.
Elena immediately shoved him away, her body trembling in rage.
The sick bastard actually tried to kiss her!
She raised her hand, ready to slap him, but Victor caught her wrist.
"Think very carefully," he hissed. "You lay a hand on me, and you’ll regret it."
His lewd, predatory gaze made Elena’s stomach turn.
Still holding her wrist, he dragged her to the side of the ballroom.
"Let’s not beat around the bush," Victor sneered. "I want you as my mistress. I can guarantee you a life of luxury. Name your price."
"You disgusting bastard!" Elena spat.
"I’m not the kind of woman you think I am. Go buy yourself a toy somewhere else."
Victor scowled, tightening his hold.
"You think I don’t know your type? Just tell me how much."
When he tried to pull her into his arms again, Elena struggled furiously.
"Let go of me, or I swear I’ll scream!"
"Scream?" Victor sneered, his tone mocking.
"Go ahead. Let’s see who’s reputation gets destroyed first — yours, or mine."
Elena bit her lip hard, so hard it drew blood.
He was right.
In a place like this, filled with the upper echelons of society, no one would believe a mere secretary over a powerful tycoon.
The sheer injustice of it made her chest ache.
Just as Victor reached for her again, Elena snapped.
Enough.
With a sharp swing, she slapped him hard across the face.
The ballroom seemed to pause for a breath.
Victor’s expression twisted in disbelief. No woman had ever dared lay a hand on him.
He opened his mouth to retaliate, but just then, Adrian appeared by his side, his expression as cold as ice.
"Victor," Adrian said smoothly, a razor-sharp edge beneath the polite tone.
"Enjoying the evening? I was hoping to have a word with you."
Victor froze, then forced a stiff smile.
Adrian’s appearance had rescued Elena, and she wasted no time slipping away into the crowd, her heart still racing.
She didn’t need to look back to know Adrian had done it deliberately — shielding her, without a word.
- Writer
