Chapter 83: It Hurts, You Hurt Me

North went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Afterward, she walked out.

In the hallway, she saw a wealthy young man leaning against the wall. He stared at her intently. When North had left home two years prior, at eighteen, she was still developing. But in the intervening time, she had blossomed. Her expressive eyes and full lips held a captivating allure.

He focused on her figure. Her creamy skin was set off beautifully by her retro burgundy court dress, and her brown curly hair cascaded lazily over her shoulders.

“North, you’ve become a big star. We only see you on TV now. Since I’ve run into you, let me buy you a drink,” he said with a leering laugh.

North stopped. She looked at him with her expressive eyes.

“Many men have offered me drinks, which I’ve declined. What makes you so special?”

His face turned cold.

“North, have you no shame? You’re just an actress. You only want to drink with whoever pays the most.”

North pursed her lips.

“Since you know I have a price, then find out what it is. If you want to buy me a drink, first make sure you have enough money.”

The man felt humiliated. North, once so obedient and gentle under Raven’s protection, was now cold, arrogant, and captivating—a woman who easily aroused desire.

“North, you’re just an adopted daughter of the Dominos. Raven protects you. What will happen if he abandons you? With your face and figure, you’ll become a man’s plaything,” he spat angrily.

“How I maintain Raven’s affection is my business. As a man, you should be thinking about how to surpass Raven and become my sponsor. Then, perhaps, I might consider you.”

The man hadn’t expected her sharp retort. Having already mentally undressed her, he couldn’t back down. He lunged forward, reaching for her.

“North, today I want to experience the ecstasy of LA’s number one beauty.”

“You dare touch her? Touch her and see!” A cold voice cut through the air.

His hands froze. He looked up to see Raven approaching, cloaked in a black coat, his handsome face partially obscured by shadow. The man’s scalp tingled; he quickly withdrew his hand.

“Young Master Raven, you misunderstood. I only wanted to shake her hand.”

Raven walked to North’s side. Casually, he said, “Which hand? Let me see.”

The man paled. Compared to the low-key Elvis Augustine, the openly powerful LA lord was the Domino family’s Raven.

“You two sort it out. I’m leaving,” North said, uninterested in the unfolding drama.

Raven watched her go, then turned to the man. “I’m watching you.”

The man nodded, trembling.

As North turned, a large hand seized her wrist.

“North.”

She stopped and looked up. Raven saw the smirk playing on her lips and reprimanded her softly, “You’re not allowed to be in places like this. Come with me.”

“Why? I’m an adult. Why can’t I come to a bar? Pamela’s here too, why don’t you care?”

“You’re not like her. You’re too ostentatious,” Raven interrupted coldly.

North lowered her lashes. “Oh. I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you. Can you let me go now?”

Raven looked at her dress, then at her legs. North caught his gaze, realizing it was no different from the man's in the hallway. She forcefully pulled away her wrist.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

Raven smiled. “Then don’t wear things like this again. It’s not your fault you’re ostentatious, but wearing outfits like this makes it seem deliberate.”

“A prostitute only sees prostitution,” North shot back.

“If I hadn’t arrived, what were you going to do?”

“You were bound to arrive,” she retorted, turning to leave.

But Raven’s fingers clasped her shoulder, pinning her against the wall. Her delicate back hit hard; it hurt. She looked at him with captivating eyes.

He knew her squeamishness, her intolerance of pain. Memories of her eighteenth birthday flooded his mind: her softly nestled in his arms, tears in her eyes, expressing her hurt. He swallowed, admiration filling his gaze.

North frowned.

“North, don’t rely on me to always protect and spoil you. You can’t always do what you want,” he said.

“I will rely on you to care for and protect me,” she replied. The sentence trailed off.