Chapter 164: Drowning in Despair

As Zachary reached out, his elbow deliberately brushed against Caroline's chest, applying just enough pressure to make her gasp uncontrollably. Startled by her own reaction, Caroline immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. How could this happen? It was just a fleeting touch—how could it elicit such a response? When she had tried so hard to seduce Frederick in the past, she had never felt anything this intense.

“What’s going on with you, Miss? Could it be that the man I saved you from had already slipped something into your drink?” Zachary asked, his tone laced with feigned concern and surprise.

“What?” Caroline froze, her wide eyes locking onto Zachary’s face. Panic surged through her as she desperately tried to recall what had happened before she lost consciousness. But no matter how hard she thought, everything was a blank after she had been drugged. Whether or not anyone had spiked her drink was something she simply couldn’t remember.

Chapter 164: Drowning in Despair (2/5)

“Your face is so flushed. Are you running a fever?” Zachary murmured as he leaned closer, placing his hand gently on her forehead. The touch seemed innocent at first, but his fingers moved ever so subtly, brushing against her cheek and trailing down to her collarbone with a featherlight touch.

Zachary’s mind raced with anticipation. The stage Caroline was in—confused, flustered, and unknowingly succumbing to the drug—was his favorite. He would become extremely excited whenever he saw a woman twisting her body, moving her waist, pleading for him in desperation.

“…I really can’t remember, but my body feels so uncomfortable right now. I… ah!” Caroline gasped as Zachary’s touch sent waves of heat rippling through her. Her heart pounded wildly, and she could no longer ignore the signals her body was sending—her desire for sex. She gripped her legs tightly, willing herself to stay lucid. Rising shakily to her feet, she resolved to leave and get to a hospital. Caroline understood clearly now—she had been drugged, and the best course of action was medical attention. But the moment she stood, her legs gave way, and she collapsed back onto the bed, utterly powerless.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong? Where is it uncomfortable? Here? Or here? Or maybe here?” Zachary asked, feigning concern, his expression one of exaggerated sincerity. Internally, though, he was laughing with satisfaction.

Chapter 164: Drowning in Despair (3/5)

This was precisely the result he expected. The drug he used was potent and expensive. If she still had the strength to walk away, it would mean he’d been duped, and his investment wasted. As he voiced his faux worry, his hands began to wander under the guise of checking on her.

“Hmm!” Caroline couldn’t suppress her reaction. Her body responded eagerly to his touch, a wave of heat coursing through her, leaving her in further disarray. Physically, her body seemed to revel in the sensation, but emotionally, she was drowning in despair. She had worked so hard and stayed by Frederick’s side for so long, all for the chance to be with him. No matter what, she couldn’t lose her first time like this.

Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, Caroline struggled to sit up, desperately trying to resist the overwhelming sensations. Seeing her efforts, Zachary stepped forward, pretending to assist her.

“Are you feeling weak? Let me help you. Here, I’ll take you to the hospital,” he said, extending a hand to lift her from the bed. He knew well that Caroline had no strength left. It wouldn’t take much for her to fall back into his trap.

“Thank you,” she murmured weakly, clutching onto the last shred of hope. Her phone was long gone, leaving her no way to contact anyone, and she felt her sanity teetering on the edge. She needed to get to a hospital immediately. Although she had no prior experience with intimacy, the sensation when Zachary touched her earlier mirrored exactly how she had felt the night she tried to seduce Frederick. There was no doubt—she had been drugged.

Chapter 164: Drowning in Despair (4/5)

Zachary, noticing her slight relaxation, feigned a stumble and pushed her back onto the bed.

“Ah!” The musky scent of masculine hormones filled the air as his weight pressed down on her. The friction between their bodies sent a wave of heat through her, and she let out an involuntary moan of pleasure.

“Miss, your scent is intoxicating,” Zachary murmured. “I’ve never smelled anything so alluring. It’s irresistible. Why don’t you stay with me? I promise to cherish you, to adore you. I would never let you feel heartache.”

Hearing her moan, Zachary knew the timing was perfect. He leaned in and kissed her.

“No! Don’t… please, I– ah!”