His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 507

Hearing that, Gemma froze before letting out a cold laugh.

She stood by the bed, looking down at Dominic with utter disdain. "Grant Wentworth is Grant Wentworth, and I am me. You took a beating for me, so these shoes are yours by right. I, Gemma Harrington, do not owe anyone favors!"

As the story reached this point, a long, heavy silence fell over the living room once more.

Julian tilted his head, studying the 'Gemma' sitting across from him, seemingly desperate to catch even the slightest trace of the real Gemma's emotional volatility.

But there was none.

This woman's gaze was far too lucid, far too rational. Those clear eyes seemed to harbor only one emotion: utter indifference.

Gemma's expression remained unchanged as she quietly continued to listen.

Julian toyed with his silver lighter, his eyes darkening as he carried on.

In high school, Dominic was enrolled in Gemma's school.

His grades were terrible, but Grant had only put him there to protect his precious daughter, so academics hardly mattered.

By her junior year, Gemma had grown increasingly stunning and radiant. With her natural flair for the dramatic, she easily became the reigning queen bee of the entire school.

A senior delinquent, acting tough because his family had a little money, recklessly set his sights on her.

That punk set up a trap, luring Gemma to a private club under the guise of celebrating a classmate's birthday.

Gemma was arrogant, but she was still just a young girl. Cornered in a private room by a dozen guys forcing her to drink, she couldn't suppress the rising panic and terror.

A torrential downpour was raging outside when they left the building. Without an umbrella, they were forced to take shelter under an awning by the street.

Gemma leaned against the wall, staring at Dominic, who was keeping his head bowed in silence. Suddenly, she asked, "Dominic, do you like me?"

Trying to keep his distance, Dominic stood with half his body in the pouring rain. He was already soaked to the bone, the blood on his hands washing away in red rivulets onto the pavement.

But he didn't even lift his head as he answered, "No. Protecting you is the mission Mr. Wentworth assigned to me."

Gemma blinked, then suddenly burst into laughter. Moisture gathered in her eyes as she pointed at his still-bleeding hands and demanded, "A mission? Does completing a mission require you to fight to the death? You nearly killed that bastard just now, and you're saying it's just a mission?"

Dominic clenched his fists, lifting an emotionless face, and stubbornly doubled down. "Yes!"

Gemma stared at his infuriating mouth, her eyes flashing before she suddenly leaned in and kissed his rain-and-blood-streaked cheek.