Celeste Linden was caught off guard, her brows slightly furrowed.

At this moment, Ethan Barnes approached a bit closer, their faces almost touching, with a malicious smile he whispered, "In what capacity are you ordering me around, huh?"

This proximity was enough for her to catch his scent, that intoxicating masculine aroma, quite rugged, just like his wild and untamed nature, now mixed with the strong scent of tobacco, directly assaulting her senses.

Celeste curled her fingers, suppressing the urge to step back, she wanted to leave here, she wanted to be far away from this man.

However, she didn’t move, her slender back straightened as she quietly gazed at him, "So what do you want?"

Ethan squinted slightly, "We’re playing a game, the rules can only be set by me. If you want to negotiate terms with me in this game, you must present your bargaining chip."

"What bargaining chip?"

Ethan’s gaze lingered on her increasingly gentle and beautiful face, then slowly moved down, "Five years and your figure has only gotten better."

Ethan raised his hand, his long fingers falling onto her shirt button, wanting to undo it.

Celeste pressed his fingers firmly, "Try another way."

"Celeste Linden, look at yourself, apart from your body that I’m lusting after, what else do I find appealing?" Saying this, Ethan smirked mockingly, "You’ve changed your name now, calling yourself... angel, an English name, quite trendy indeed. Celeste Linden, you wouldn’t naively think you’re really some painter or fashion designer now, would you?"

Celeste’s expression remained unmoved as she coldly looked at Ethan, replying calmly, "Celeste Linden or angel, just different names, but all are me."

Ethan’s eyes gradually deepened, he admitted that five years was enough to change a person, the Celeste Linden before him was no longer the struggling, humiliated, weak female college student she once was, her heart had grown invincible.

No, she seemed unchanged, she was proud and resilient even before.

"Oh, so let me see if you’re still as delightful, back then under me... you cried pitifully, like a pear blossom in the rain. If I went rough, you would scream, truly addicting like poppy..." Ethan intentionally slowed his tone, speaking as he watched with a half-smiling gaze the changes on Celeste’s face.

Celeste looked directly at Ethan without avoiding, her lips slightly curled with red, "I never knew King Hayden so enjoys the feeling of rape and necrophilia, I guess... it’s probably because you’ve never experienced the beauty of mutual pleasure."

Ethan was stunned.

"You’re right, under King Hayden I’m like a corpse, but with others it’s different, for example... your father..."

"Your father treated me very well, though I seduced him intentionally, he said as long as I’m happy, even killing you, his son, would be fine."

"Ethan Barnes, sometimes I think you’re quite pitiful, pitifully unloved!"

Ethan’s face immediately changed, dark clouds gathering, Celeste’s words undoubtedly stabbed his weaknesses and pains like a knife.

Smack.

Ethan raised his hand and slapped Celeste across the face.

Celeste staggered two steps back, then fell to the ground, her right cheek burning with pain, her mouth tasting blood, she had been struck bleeding.

At this moment Ethan walked over, crouched on one knee, and gripped Celeste’s jaw, forcing her to look up.

Her right cheek was already swollen, the palm print glaring red and shocking, but it did nothing to lessen his inner anger, this woman slept with both father and son, this account he hadn’t settled with her yet, and she dared to bring it up voluntarily.

Though Celeste appeared pitiful, she was undaunted, "Ethan, if you have the guts just kill me."

Ethan snorted coldly, "Killing you like this would be too easy, letting you roam freely outside for five years, you don’t even know your own status anymore, it’s okay, I’ll remind you well."

Ethan said as he reached again for her shirt buttons.

"Ethan Barnes, don’t you find me dirty? I was once your father’s woman, how can you bear to touch me, unless... you’ve fallen for me?"

What did she say?

This sentence completely enraged Ethan, he reached out and fiercely strangled Celeste’s neck.

Celeste suddenly felt deprived of oxygen, breathing became a struggle, her fragile neck in his strong grip was futile, if he twisted slightly, it would break.

Ethan’s eyes were bloodshot, staring mercilessly at Celeste’s flushed face, sarcastically saying, "Did I treat you as human? You’re nothing but a substitute, being able to resemble her is the blessing of your lifetime!"

"She isn’t as cunning or lascivious as you, she is the world’s purest, most beautiful girl, you are unworthy to even carry her shoes!"

"How could I fall for you, better wake up soon, stop dreaming!"

Celeste only intended to provoke him, angering him, she didn’t want further humiliation and abuse.

She never thought he would fall for her, now hearing his words, she found him surprisingly to be a devoted type, she nearly applauded him.

However, why should she have to pay for his love story with that girl?

Just because she looks alike, she has to be a double?

Ethan, this man is ruthless, to get her, he devised a plan to sell her into the bar, even had her legs broken and then imprisoned her, has he ever thought behind their wonderful love story, she was the most innocent, suffering person?

This romance is so beautiful, she really can’t feel it.

Celeste’s oxygen intake was increasingly dwindling, yet she didn’t beg for mercy, she wouldn’t beg.

She kept her eyes wide open, staring at him, continuously staring.

When Celeste felt she was about to suffocate, a strand of melodious cellphone ringtone suddenly pierced the air, she had a call coming.

Ethan, having lost his senses, was jarred awake hearing the ringtone, his gaze fell on Celeste’s cellphone.

Celeste’s phone had fallen to the ground, now the incoming call display was lit up, showing the word husband.

Her husband Dominic Reynolds was calling.

Ethan slowly released his hand.

Fresh air rushed over, Celeste collapsed on the ground, tears coughed out, coughing repeatedly, extremely desolate.

Just then Ethan extended his large hand to grab her phone.

Celeste’s pupils contracted, immediately snatching her phone and hiding it behind her, leaning against the wall, watching the man before her warily, "Don’t touch my phone, what do you want?"

Husband...

In Ethan’s mind, the words "husband" from earlier repeatedly floated around, "You’re married?"