Stella, already in immense pain, found the sounds around her—almost like people arguing—only made her suffering worse. “Mr. Hall…” she murmured weakly, her voice strained. “Could you take me to the hospital?”
Justin stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Weston’s. “Mr. Ford, do you hear that? She’s calling for me.”
Weston said nothing, only glaring at the woman in his arms. Despite the urgency in her voice, he showed no intention of handing her over to Justin. He had been serious when he delivered that punch earlier. Justin, still feeling the pain in his face, touched the roof of his mouth with his tongue, wincing at the throbbing pain. Stella wasn’t the only one in need of a doctor; he likely needed one himself.
As Justin thought about Weston’s relationship with Stella, a question gnawed at him. What kind of connection did they really have? Weston’s agitation was unexpected. From what Justin knew, Weston was a man who rarely lost control, the cold and composed “prince” everyone knew. His ability to remain unshaken was almost legendary, so what was driving him to act this way?
“I don’t want to repeat myself. Scram,” Weston growled, his voice colder than ever. He began walking away with Stella still in his arms, ignoring Justin’s presence.
Suddenly, Stella’s eyes fluttered open, as though she had sensed something wrong. When she saw Weston’s face clearly, her confusion shifted to intense resistance. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice hoarse. She struggled violently against his hold. “Let me go! I said, let me go! Do you hear me?”
Her body was already in turmoil from the drug’s effects, and she was drifting in and out of consciousness. Seeing Weston’s face, however, sent a rush of disgust through her. “What else do you intend to do to me? I’m already in such a terrible state, and you still refuse to let me go?”
Her anger surged with every word. “Why can’t you just let me go? I beg you, please, let me go…”
Even Justin was taken aback by Stella’s reaction. He had never imagined she would be so repulsed by Weston.
But Weston didn’t release her. Instead, he tightened his grip, as though her struggles were only making him more determined. Her eyes reddened, and tears began to form, though she tried to fight them back. The scent of the aphrodisiac might have clouded her judgment, but the emotional pain was undeniable.
Weston knew what was happening. He could feel the weight of her rejection—both physical and emotional—and it struck him deeply. He had pushed her too far, and he understood that the next time they met, she would reject him outright. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to face the reality of what that meant.
Her tears cut through him like a blade, as they always did. But instead of softening his resolve, they made his anger flare. He sneered and wiped them away roughly, his cold demeanor slipping for a moment.
He turned to face Justin, his voice dripping with disdain. “Are you sure you want to offend me over a woman?”
Justin, still shaken by the violence in Weston’s actions, answered cautiously, “Pardon me, Mr. Ford. No one in this world would want to offend you. I merely want to bring Ella away from here.”
Weston’s gaze darkened. “Very well. As long as you’re prepared to bear the consequences of your actions.”
With that, he released his grip on Stella, letting her go just like that.
The moment she felt the freedom, Stella wasted no time pulling away from Weston’s arms. Justin stepped forward quickly to support her. “Be careful. I’ll send you to the hospital,” he said gently.
Stella nodded weakly, not sparing a glance at Weston as she walked away with Justin.
It was only once they had gotten into the car and the door was securely shut that Weston finally let his gaze fall. He turned on his heel and walked away, his shoulders heavy with the weight of his internal turmoil. He had already lost control far too many times tonight.
He rubbed his forehead, as though trying to rid himself of the tension building inside him. Darkness seemed to cling to his every step as he tried to quell the storm within. It was just a woman, he reminded himself. That’s all she was.
The others in the private room, having watched the entire exchange, couldn’t help but think that Weston wouldn’t return.
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