Chapter 7 Deadly Temptation

Gloria was awakened by the warm sunshine. She stretched lazily.

Maybe it was because she'd only slept two hours the night before last, but after falling asleep in the second half of last night, she hadn't woken up even once.

The sun warmed her pleasantly. Ever since discovering James's betrayal, her whole body had felt like it was plunged into an ice cellar.

But now, she could feel a bit of warmth again.

Crystalbrook boasted perfect weather year-round, with exceptionally gentle sunshine.

Gloria was scrolling through Instagram and saw a photo of Mittens that James had posted early that morning.

He had changed his profile picture, and Maria no longer appeared in his likes list.

As if she had never existed.

But Gloria knew that thorn had already lodged itself in the softest part of her heart.

The TV was playing the news. "The third son of the Rivers family has secured another ten-billion-dollar deal, contributing to the Rivers Group!"

The sound of water from the bathroom drowned out the TV. Gloria washed her face and did a simple skincare routine.

Gloria shed her previous lifeless appearance and smiled at herself in the mirror. "Gloria, start over."

She took a shower, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and made a phone call asking the butler to have her clothes cleaned.

Soon the room service attendant arrived, pushing several food carts and bringing women's clothing.

Clearly this wasn't regular room service—Caspian had brought every famous specialty dish in Crystalbrook to her table.

Today her appetite was much better. Perhaps because it was all new to her, she carefully tasted each dish.

Caspian arrived earlier than she expected. When he knocked, she thought it was the room service attendant again, and since they were both women, Gloria opened the door directly.

Standing at the door was the tall Caspian, his suit jacket folded over his wrist, wearing a white shirt buttoned all the way up. Compared to last night's weariness, he looked more refined and dignified.

She had just bathed not long ago. Her soft hair draped over her white bathrobe, the belt loosely tied at her waist, her chest slightly exposed.

His gaze lingered on her chest for only a moment before moving away. Gloria had just eaten a cream dessert and hadn't wiped her mouth yet—a bit of cream remained at the corner of her pink lips.

Dangerously tempting.

Caspian's gaze grew deep and intense.

"Sorry, I forgot to remind you."

He turned around like a gentleman, showing her his straight, strong back.

Gloria said, "Give me ten minutes."

When she opened the door again ten minutes later, she had changed into the white dress with purple flowers that the room service attendant had brought, the hem covered with large iris blooms.

"Caspian, I'm ready."

He swept over her perfect figure. As always, vibrant and captivating, breathtakingly beautiful.

Gloria walked while putting up her hair. "Thank you for the food you sent. It was delicious. The restaurant really lives up to its long history. Just too much—I couldn't finish it all."

She casually grabbed a hair tie and put her hair up.

Caspian only saw Gloria's graceful figure in the sunlight, every movement exuding femininity.

Her raised arm was not only slender but also smooth and delicate.

The seemingly delicate Gloria could leap onto a horse, quickly loop the reins in two or three circles, and gallop away—such a striking contrast.

Caspian's Adam's apple bobbed. He shifted his gaze to the food on the table, his voice flat. "I came to take you to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Ms. White."

Carol White was the director of "Behind the Throne." Gloria hadn't known that Carol had fallen ill during these years away from the entertainment industry.

Caspian said nothing and took Gloria to the hospital.

Gloria couldn't help but tear up when she saw the skeletal Carol. How had she become like this in just three years?

Carol looked at the two standing side by side, a trace of relief crossing her aged face.

She pulled out a script. "When 'Behind the Throne' was a huge hit, I wrote a sequel. Who knew you'd make a fuss about leaving the entertainment industry for some man. Regret it now, don't you?"

She sighed. "Gloria, men aren't reliable. Women's youth is fleeting; you need to secure your own future through work. This is the sequel to 'Behind the Throne.' If you two are willing to continue this story, it would fulfill a wish for the fans and for me."

Gloria stayed with Carol in the hospital room all afternoon. When she left, she took the script Carol had custom-made for her.

With the hit "Behind the Throne" as a foundation and Carol's sequel backing it, as long as Caspian agreed, she could immediately regain her top-tier celebrity status!

But Caspian hadn't given her an answer yet, leaving her anxious.

She stepped into the elevator. Caspian pressed the button for the top floor.

She followed him upstairs, confused. A helicopter sat on the helipad.

He stepped toward the aircraft. Gloria looked at him warily. "Where are we going?"

Caspian was already tall, and the lighting on the rooftop wasn't strong. Standing at the entrance, his handsome features were shrouded in darkness—only his sharp jawline visible.

A corner of a black bracelet showed at his dangling wrist.

In this moment, he was like a god looking down on all beings from on high, his eyes lowered as he observed Gloria on the ground.

The night wind blew, making Gloria's skirt sway, revealing her straight, slender legs.

She tilted her neck up, her bright eyes watching him warily, like a stubborn little deer, constantly on guard.

In the darkness, his voice was cool and cold. "To take you to a real peak."

He paused, softening his tone. "To see the night view."

The helicopter crossed Crystalbrook's most prosperous area. Where the two rivers met, the orderly high-rises sparkled with lights, and behind them, thousands of lights resembled stars in the Milky Way.

Ships on the river lined up in a row. A beam of light suddenly illuminated the entire sky.

Then fireworks of various colors spread across the horizon, like a painter using fireworks as paint to create a breathtaking scene in the night.

So beautiful!

For the first time, Gloria realized fireworks weren't just dazzling—they could be magnificent and splendid.

She pressed against the window, exclaiming involuntarily. "Caspian, look!"

He leaned toward her, one hand braced against the glass.

The light sandalwood scent that belonged to Caspian enveloped her like an embrace.

His breath fell on her ear. "Okay."

That deep voice exploded in her ear. Wrapped in an unfamiliar presence, she instinctively stepped back.

But her soft body pressed against Caspian's firm chest.

She turned her head without warning, her red lips nearly brushing his ear.

In that tiny space, his breath fell on her neck—so light, yet so burning hot.