Chapter 398: The Unanswered Question

Maggie struggled to adapt to Nathael's strength and volatile nature. The stark difference in their physical—and perhaps other—strengths left her speechless.

Tonight, Nathael seemed unusually rough. Faint marks of varying depths marred her fair skin in the dim light. There was little foreplay, and the intensity was unlike anything they had experienced before.

Tears welled in Maggie's eyes. Pain made her clench her teeth, her nails digging involuntarily into his back. She squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lip to stifle the sounds she desperately wanted to suppress. After a prolonged struggle, sweat beaded on Nathael's forehead. Leaning close to her ear, his voice hoarse with allure, he whispered, "Nana, who is he?"

Nathael assumed no man named Balslev was in her life, believing she had little opportunity to be with another man while with him. However, her previously mentioned dreams made him uncertain. Was he the man in her dreams? If so, what had they done? These possibilities, and the accompanying unknowns, left Nathael feeling frustrated and agitated.

His eyes burned with dark desire, yet he remained remarkably controlled, suppressing a volatile emotion. Maggie's eyelashes trembled, veiled in a misty film. She said nothing, staring at his handsome face in the dim light. His sharp features were precise and angular: strong eyebrows, a straight nose, piercing eyes, and pale lips now tinged red from their kisses. In the dimness, she saw the veins pulsing in his neck, his strong muscles, and the fine beads of sweat.

Nathael's Adam's apple bobbed. He felt weaker than he ever had. He was capable of so much, yet he couldn't force her love. He lowered his gaze, deciding not to ask again, and thrust into her forcefully, as if this was the only way to prove her belonging to him.

Maggie's breath hitched. She squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her teeth. But she was no match for him. In the dead of night, her muffled cries echoed in the room.

Chapter 398: The Unanswered Question

As night fell, Maggie fell into a deep sleep, tear tracks still visible on her face. After cleaning her up, Nathael went to his study. He lit a cigarette, called Alex, and Alex, though asleep, answered swiftly.

"Mr. Harris."

Nathael took a long drag, asking in a low voice, "How's the investigation going?"

Alex responded promptly, "Nothing unusual about Ms. Adam's recent activities. Since her kidnapping, she's met Timothy twice and Joyce, Mia, and Leo several times. There were other classmates and colleagues, but no abnormal behavior. Timothy's leg has healed, and he's been quiet. Master Harris released Mr. Hudson recently, but he's caused no trouble. Ms. Adam's trail is difficult to trace, as if someone's covering it up."

Truthfully, Alex had little to report. Maggie's recent movements were unremarkable. He couldn't explain her breakup proposal, but he'd noticed traces of her activity had been erased. He'd intended to report these discrepancies sooner, but the situation proved far more complex than he'd anticipated. Her trail had been erased repeatedly, and despite considerable effort, he'd found no leads. Maggie's visits to the medical clinic, meetings with Timothy and Master Harris, had all been wiped. Leo and Lucas had also erased online data.

After two days of searching, Alex had nothing.

Nathael instructed, "Continue the investigation. Check again for a man with the surname Balslev."

"Understood."

After hanging up, Nathael stood at the window for a long time. He knew he couldn't stop her from leaving unless he was willing to face her lifelong hatred. He dreaded her indifferent, hateful gaze more than anything. He didn't know what he was clinging to anymore. Each day felt like a loss of happiness and joy. Chapter 398: The Unanswered Question

Nathael gazed into the night, wishing he could turn back time, freezing those few months forever.

After standing in the cold for a while, he returned to bed. Maggie instinctively moved away, likely from the chill, but Nathael frowned and pulled her back. She struggled briefly, then yielded.

Later that night, nestled in his warmth, Maggie snuggled close. Nathael slept little, his chin resting on her hair as he held her tightly.

Maggie woke at noon, her eyes puffy, looking like a battered doll. Before she could think, Mia rushed in.

"Is Nathael even human? Why does he keep torturing you?"

Mia exploded at Maggie's pale face, but even her father respected Nathael. He was not someone she could confront, no matter how angry she was.

Rubbing her head, Maggie’s voice was hoarse. "You don't understand. He can't live without me."

Mia was exasperated. "Maggie, look at yourself! You're so stubborn!"

Maggie refused to continue the discussion. "Is everything arranged with Lucas?"

"Don't worry, your 'Mr. Balslev' is across the ocean," Mia whispered.

Maggie responded softly, her mood sour. The so-called "Mr. Balslev" was a persona they'd created. To make Nathael feel hopeless and disappointed, they needed a plausible excuse. She'd been wrong. She expressed her love when they were together but tried to deceive him with the fake persona when apart. A dramatic move from the start would have been better; he would either kill her or let her go.

Mia looked at Maggie and caressed her hair. "Maggie, why are you doing this?" she asked gently. She could see Maggie still liked, perhaps loved, him.

Maggie blinked and smiled. "I'll tell you once we're out of this."

Mia didn't press further. Maggie asked, "Did you bring what I asked for?"

Chapter 398: The Unanswered Question

"Yes, it's here." Mia produced a box of emergency contraception pills and handed them to Maggie.

Maggie took some water and swallowed a pill. Nathael had been out of control these past two days, and he hadn't used protection. Though she considered having a child with him, the poison in her body would attack immediately, and she didn't want a child under these circumstances.