Chapter 356 Smoke and Strings

Paul stubbed out the last cigarette. The pack was empty.

Elsie woke up coughing from the heavy stench of smoke filling the room. Her head pounded and spun from the lingering effects of the drug. She sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her forehead, and mumbled softly, “Morgan…”

Paul heard her loud and clear. He turned his head, his voice eerily calm. “Awake now?”

The sound of Paul’s voice snapped Elsie out of her daze like a bolt of lightning. She remembered now—Paul had taken her from Morgan, brought her to this hotel. And she’d just called out Morgan’s name…

Her face went pale. She scrambled to get out of bed and beg for forgiveness, but the moment she moved, she realized she was naked. Then her gaze shifted, and her panic disappeared.

Her body was covered in bruises, some red, some purple. Even with a foggy memory, it was obvious what had happened last night. The marks said enough. Paul had been so eager to have her, so rough—he had to have missed her like crazy. It could only mean he still had feelings for her. He wanted her back.

It felt like victory. Elsie decided not to get out of bed. Her waist ached, her limbs were sore, but she lay there with smug satisfaction, convinced she had Paul in the palm of her hand. She’d made the right choice last night. She’d been worried about getting nothing from either side, but now at least Paul was back under control.

Leaning seductively against the pillows, Elsie asked, “Paul, how many times did you take me last night? I’m so sore… Don’t tell me you haven’t touched Taylor at all since you married her?”

She figured Paul must’ve been saving himself for her. Otherwise, why would he have so much pent-up energy? She was so sore, it was swollen down there.

Paul’s voice dripped with sarcasm, though there wasn’t a trace of a smile in his eyes. “What can I say? I just can’t get enough of you.”

Elsie giggled at his reply, but then noticed something—his voice was hoarse. Really hoarse. She climbed out of bed and threw on a robe. As she walked toward him, the smoke hit her straight in the face, making her cough. Covering her nose, she frowned slightly. “You smoked this much? Are you in a bad mood?”

Paul hadn’t slept all night and had chain-smoked until his eyes were bloodshot. He looked like a wreck. If she hadn’t known he was the heir to the Lu family, someone like this wouldn’t even be worth her time.

But guilt gnawed at her. She couldn’t help wondering if his state meant he’d figured something out. She knelt at his feet, her voice soft and sweet. “I swear, nothing happened with Morgan. Don’t let your imagination run wild.”

After a long pause, Paul finally asked, “What if I went broke? Would you still stay with me?”

Elsie smiled. “You’re the heir to your family. You? Broke? That’s never gonna happen.”

His eyes narrowed with cold determination. “Exactly. Anyone could lose everything—but not me. I’ll make damn sure the whole world knows this: I, Paul, never let anyone get away with disrespecting or betraying me.”

His words were venomous. Elsie had never seen this side of him before. It unnerved her a little. But Paul hadn’t hurt her, so she told herself she was just being paranoid. She’d known Paul for years. She could play him like a fiddle. Easy to control.

Meanwhile, in Yunice’s hospital room, Wyatt was feeding her dumplings.

Jordan walked in, paused at the door when he saw Yunice lying there quietly, and hesitated like he had something to say. Wyatt didn’t even glance at him. “Out with it.” Clearly, he wasn’t trying to keep anything from Yunice.

Jordan said, “News came in last night—Paul’s set to take over Jensen’s position. He’s joining the Northvale project.”

Wyatt’s eyes went to Yunice first. She met his gaze, then lifted her chin slightly and prompted, “Dumplings.” She hadn’t finished eating.

Wyatt kept feeding her.

Jordan stood awkwardly at the side, silently observing the two of them. Last night they were practically at each other’s throats, ready to kill each other. Now they looked like the picture of harmony—like some perfect couple. And that wasn’t all. Yunice was wearing Wyatt’s prized agarwood bracelet, the one he almost never took off.