Chapter 137. The One-Night Lie-2
Chapter 137: The One-Night Lie-2
The man nodded, then swiftly pivoted the camera. The screen revealed Ethan-tied to the wall of a narrow, shadowed cave, arms stretched wide, shirtless, streaks of blood darkening his skin. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, eyes wide with disbelief and raw fear, darting as if searching for an escape that wasn’t there.
The room went silent, the image seared into every gaze. Damien’s jaw tightened, his usual composure flickering under the shock, a dark glint of grudging respect surfacing in his eyes. Maya’s hand flew to her mouth, her pulse hammering in her ears, awe and horror rooting her
to the spot.
Dahlia, sharp eyes unflinching, allowed the tiniest twitch of a smile to break through her otherwise stoic expression, just enough to conceal amusement and maintain authority.
James, Lee, and Kim, standing behind, simply nodded-a quiet, unspoken approval of what they were seeing. Impressed, yet cautious, their eyes lingered on the screen.
Ashcroft, however, felt a different emotion rising. His lips pressed into a thin line, eyes narrowing-not at Ethan, but at Harper-with the faintest trace of jealousy and disbelief. What on earth was she doing with a half-naked man in a cave?
Harper, unfazed, remained unapologetically composed. Her lips curved into a faint, wicked smile, a spark of mischief dancing in her eyes. “Good… exactly where I want him. Keep him comfortable… for now. I’ll be back to check on my little toy later.”
On the other end, the man bowed slightly, his expression respectful. “Understood, Bosu.”
Harper ended the call, slipping the phone back into her pocket with a smooth, almost casual motion. She turned to the room, letting her gaze sweep over them, pride flickering across her features. “Well… there you have it. He’s alive, just… learning a lesson.”
Dahlia arched a brow, a faint, knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her eyes glinted with a mix of mild amusement and quiet admiration. “You certainly have your own… methods, Harper.”
Harper’s lips curved into a sheepish grin, a mischievous glint still lingering in her eyes. “What can I say… I like my lessons to stick.”
Maya’s eyes widened, her breath catching slightly. “You… you actually did that?”
Harper shrugged, a mischievous spark still in her eyes. “Hey… I told you, I’m good with anything sharp.”
1/2
Chapter 137 The One-Night Lie-2
Maya’s lips parted slightly, a faint expression of disbelief tugging at her features. She couldn’t quite reconcile the bubbly, lighthearted Harper she knew with the calculated precision of the scene she’d just seen.
Ashcroft, on the other hand, felt a quiet swell of pride. Despite the shocking circumstances, Harper had handled it flawlessly. His smirk returned, slow and knowing, a subtle
acknowledgment of her skill. Damien’s gaze lingered on Harper too, half incredulous, half intrigued.
The tension in the room shifted-Harper had just reminded everyone exactly who they were dealing with.
Maya, still processing, shook her head slowly. Her emotions had tempered-calmer than when she first saw Beckett’s photo. She understood this world now, accepted its rules, and trusted the people in her inner circle. Here, the rules were simple: cross the line, and face the consequences. And in this circle… cross one, and you cross all.
A small, determined smile tugged at her lips. “Now I’m really interested in learning,” she said, her voice light but edged with steel. “I’m still looking forward to those private self-defense lessons from you, by the way.” She winked, teasing.
Harper, momentarily caught off guard, threw her head back and laughed-bright, unrestrained, and contagious. “Of course! Absolutely! Wait-do you want to use him as a target too? We can head to the cave later and-”
Her words died as Damien cleared his throat sharply, the sound slicing through the excitement like a warning bell.
Maya glanced at him, cheeks warming with a soft blush. “Uh… maybe we start with… cans? Or something that isn’t breathing?”
Harper froze for a beat, then burst into laughter again, pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle it. “Fine, fine! Safety first!”
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.