Adrian left, leaving me in shock. I touched my neck, my finger rubbing over the swollen skin.

I rushed to the nearby door, opened it, and saw it led to a private room. I dashed into the attached bathroom.

The moment I saw my neck in the mirror, I gasped and covered my mouth. There was a hickey!

“Adrian Miller, you scoundrel!” I muttered, staring at the mark. “How will I conceal this? My bag isn't with me. I can't go outside like this!”

I pulled my hair in anger, furious enough to break the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down, but found no solution. I was wearing a sleeveless, backless dress.

I leaned on the sink, cursing Adrian Miller. “Who knows what got into him? Why the strange behavior since yesterday? How dare he touch me?”

After a while, I heard a knock.

“Boss, are you in there?”

“Damia!”

I opened the door to find her. “Thank God you're here. Eric sent you, right?”

“Boss, I wa—”

“It’s okay. Give me my purse,” I said, snatching my bag. I did it quickly, hoping she wouldn't see the mark, but it was too late.

“Boss, your neck!”

“I—I got hurt.”

“Boss, that looks like…” She paused, her gaze lingering on my neck.

Embarrassed, I closed the door. ‘Adrian Miller, I hate you,’ I thought.

I opened my purse and took out my concealer, which I always carry to hide a scar on my hand. With it, I concealed the hickey.

Leaving the bathroom, I found Damia sitting on the bed.

“Boss, are you okay?”

“Fine. Let’s go.”

Damia didn't ask questions and followed me. I silently prayed no one had seen Adrian and me together; it would create false rumors, damaging my brother's reputation.

Everyone in the hall seemed calm; no one mentioned me or Adrian. Relieved, I approached Eric.

“Where were you?” he asked.

I frowned. He'd sent Damia for me. Turning to Damia, who shook her head, I replied to Eric, “I used the washroom.”

“Drinks?”

“No, thanks. Let’s leave now.”

“Why?”

“I’m not feeling well.”

Eric took my hand. “What happened?”

I glanced at my hand, remembering Adrian pinning me. Looking away, I saw a man at the bar raising his glass in a triumphant gesture. I glared at him; Eric and others noticed.

“I’m leaving,” I said, turning to go.

“I’m coming with you.” Eric followed.

Damia walked us to the car, opening the door for me. She sat beside me, glancing at Eric in the passenger seat.

“Should we see a doctor?” Eric asked, turning to me.

Fuming, I shook my head. I had no idea why Adrian had done this. I touched my neck, clenching my fist. He might have wanted to ruin my reputation, but luckily Damia arrived.

I was the first out of the car at the hotel.

“Goodnight,” I said to Eric.

“Let me walk you to your room.”

“It’s okay. I can go myself.”

Seeing my mood, Eric didn't insist.

As I headed to my room, Damia called, “Boss.”

I stopped. She approached me, pausing before saying, “It wasn't Beta Eric, but Alpha Adrian who sent me to you.”

Stunned, I asked, “Adrian? Why?”

“He said you needed help.”

This confused me. Didn't he want to humiliate me? Why send Damia?

I nodded to Damia; she hurried to her room. Bewildered, I entered my room. After changing, I touched my neck, thinking of Adrian's shamelessness. Did he want to…

I tried to ignore everything and went to bed. I needed to calm down.

I woke to my phone vibrating. My eyes widened at the breaking news: “There seems to be a developing relationship between Alpha Adrian and Sophia Hansely. They were spotted together at the party for the Storm Forest…”