Chapter 11

"Boss, we've pulled the mall footage!" Clarence strode in, holding up a tablet for Edwin. His expression was a bit off as he threw a glance at Isobel. "And we figured out who she is—second daughter of the Sullivan family. Before we even got there, she was giving your mute girl a hard time."

Edwin lowered his gaze to the screen. On the video, Ashley was clearly getting harassed by Isobel inside some fancy jewelry store. Ashley didn't fight back—just kept taking it until she ran out covering her face, disappearing off camera.

"Isobel really takes the cake—dumb and petty. She knew that pendant was stolen and still had the nerve to drop ten million at that store. Seriously? No brains at all. And she even made that girl cry..."

Edwin didn't say anything right away. He glanced at the holding cell where Isobel sat, pale and shaken. A flash of something cold passed through his eyes. "Idiots are the easiest to use."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Clarence frowned, confused.

But Edwin clearly had no intention of explaining. He just turned and walked off.

"Boss, what should we do with her?"

Edwin replied without turning around, his voice calm and flat: "Rough her up. Wherever you grabbed her from, dump her back there."

"Wait... rough her up?" Clarence's brows jumped. His boss was cold-blooded, sure, but he'd never raised a hand to a woman before.

...Could this be him standing up for that mute wife of his?

Clarence rubbed his chin and let out a low whistle. "Well, well... looks like our ice-cold Mr. King's finally melting."

Ashley felt a weight lift off her chest as she stepped back into the estate. She had dinner with Eleanor, took a relaxing walk, then headed to her room.

She pulled out a new pair of pajamas and slipped into the bathroom.

She had to admit—even if Edwin could be terrifying—his taste was pretty spot on. The decor suited her, and the bathroom even had this insane curved bathtub.

Edwin probably wasn't coming back tonight—he was probably too busy venting on Isobel anyway.

Ashley soaked lazily in the warm water, then slid on her sleepwear and got ready to crash for the night.

But as soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, her heart skipped a beat.Edwin sat casually on the dark-colored couch, his tall figure looking like a looming shadow in the low light.

His cold, sharp gaze locked on Ashley, who had just stepped out from the bathroom and froze in place.

She was wearing a light blue spaghetti-strap nightdress, her long wavy hair dripping wet down her back. Her delicate features seemed even more striking in the dim room, and the short dress barely covered mid-thigh, leaving her fair legs fully exposed—like some dangerously alluring temptation.

"You really think you're Mrs. King now?"

His voice had an icy edge that made Ashley's scalp tingle. She unconsciously clenched the hem of her dress.

Edwin tilted his finger, beckoning. "Come here."

Ashley swallowed, suppressing the panic rising inside, and took slow steps toward him.

Before she even reached him, Edwin suddenly yanked her into his arms. She barely had time to react before he sank his teeth into her shoulder, hard.

Caught off guard, Ashley let out a muffled gasp, her brows knitting in pain.

The taste of blood filled Edwin's mouth. He licked away the tiny bead on his tongue, then gripped her jaw tightly, feeling her tremble in silence.

"Hurt?" He turned her face forcefully to him, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Good. Remember this feeling. Don't play games with me."

His voice was low and deliberate, each word icy clear.

"Or next time, I don't need Rusty—I'll rip you apart myself."

There was still a smear of her blood on his lips. It made him look like a devil straight out of a nightmare—beautiful and terrifying.

Total psycho.

Ashley felt a chill run down her spine.

"Did you get that?" Edwin's patience was clearly worn thin.

She nodded quickly.

And yet the look on her face seemed to amuse him. His perfect features curled into a smile, one that held no warmth at all.

"You went to the mall today. What for?"

Ashley grabbed the nearby notepad and scribbled quickly: [Bought some daily stuff and clothes, your grandma knows.]

Edwin neither confirmed nor denied her words. Instead, his cool fingers slid up her shoulder and hooked her thin strap flirtatiously.

"This the clothes you got?"