The heat in Susan's body was intensifying, her skin feeling feverish, her thoughts beginning to blur at the edges. Whatever drug he'd given her was fast-acting and powerful."You're disgusting," Susan managed, though her voice was weaker now. "A monster...""No," Peter corrected, beginning to unbutton his shirt. "I'm just someone who takes what he wants. And tonight, I want you."He pulled his shirt off, revealing pale skin and a body that had never seen real physical labor. His hands moved to his belt.Susan's vision was swimming now, the drug pulling her consciousness down into a haze of heat and confusion. She tried to fight it, tried to stay alert, but her body was betraying her—The door to the hotel suite exploded inward.Wood splintered. The lock mechanism shattered. And through Susan's fading awareness, she saw a figure burst into the room—tall, bloodied, with a white bandage wrapped around his head.Ethan."SUSAN!"His voice cut through the fog. Susan tried to respond, tried

The name hit Peter like a physical blow. Spencer. THE Spencer family. The empire that made the Morgans look like corner-store owners. The family that could make governments tremble, that controlled more wealth than some countries' GDP.And he'd kidnapped someone under their protection. Had assaulted their heir. Had threatened, drugged, and attempted to rape—"No," Peter whispered, shaking his head frantically. "No, no, no. If I had known—if I had ANY idea who you were—I would never have—I never would have competed with you! Over a woman or anything else! Please, you have to believe me!"Ethan stood, looking down at Peter with absolute contempt. "And all the women you hurt before Susan? The ones you drugged, raped, and threatened into silence? Did you spare them?"Peter's mouth opened and closed silently. Because there was no good answer to that question. No excuse that would make any difference."I thought so," Ethan said coldly. He turned to Marcus. "Make sure Peter receives special

Lena's eyes swung to him for the first time, looking him up and down with undisguised contempt. Her lip actually curled in disgust."And who are YOU?" she sneered. "Some nobody she picked up? Look at you—you don't even have the decency to wear a proper suit to a hospital. What is that, off-the-rack garbage?"Ethan glanced down at his clothes—casual pants and a simple shirt, both custom-tailored by the Spencer family's private designers, each piece worth more than everything Lena was currently wearing combined. But he said nothing."My daughter doesn't need protection from some pauper who probably can't even afford a decent meal," Lena continued, her voice dripping with venom. "What could YOU possibly offer her? Poverty? Struggle? A lifetime of scraping by while she supports your worthless—""Mom, stop!" Susan's voice was weak but desperate. "Ethan saved my life! He's the one who—""Saved your life?" Lena laughed harshly. "From what? From marrying into one of the wealthiest families in

The shouting had drawn attention. The study door opened, and Susan's father entered—Thomas White, a quiet man in his sixties who worked as a mid-level accountant and generally avoided family conflicts."What's all this noise about?" he asked wearily."Dad, tell Mom I don't have to attend her ridiculous cocktail party," Susan said.Thomas looked between his wife and daughter, then sighed heavily. "Susan... maybe you should go."Susan stared at him in disbelief. "What?""Your mother's right," Thomas continued, avoiding her eyes. "We do have debts. Significant ones. The mortgage is underwater, we have credit card balances from your graduate school tuition, medical bills from when your grandmother was sick..." He trailed off. "A wealthy son-in-law wouldn't be the worst thing."The betrayal hit Susan like a physical blow. "Are you serious right now? You want me to marry for money? To solve YOUR financial problems?""It's not just about money," Thomas said weakly. "It's about security. Stab

The Grand Ballroom of the Meridian Hotel had been transformed into something from a magazine spread—crystal chandeliers casting prismatic light across marble floors, ice sculptures positioned strategically throughout the space, servers in formal attire circulating with champagne that cost more per bottle than most people's monthly rent.This wasn't just an exclusive event. This was a display of wealth so concentrated it bordered on obscene.Helen stood near the entrance with her mother, both of them dressed in what they'd considered their finest—Helen in a designer gown she'd purchased specifically for tonight, Jenny in something expensive but just slightly dated. They'd felt confident leaving the house.Now, surrounded by women wearing jewelry worth more than Helen's car and men in custom suits that probably cost five figures, they felt like imposters."Remember," Jenny hissed under her breath, "smile, be charming, and for God's sake, don't mention how much your company stock has drop