Chapter 4

The screen suddenly cut away from our live feed and switched to a close-up shot.

It showed a platinum ring, one I had personally designed for my husband Edward. Our initials were engraved inside the band.

My heart sank as I realized that was Edward's wedding ring.

The electronic voice let out a cruel laugh. [If you don't want your husband to get hurt, let Charles kiss you. Don't pretend you don't want that right now.]

The comments below the screen erupted at once.

[They are really pulling out the big guns, using her husband to blackmail her into cheating. This is sick.]

[Just kiss already.]

[Is your husband's life more important than your dignity?]

[Hurry up, I already placed my bets on how this goes.]

I stared at the familiar ring, and my blood ran cold.

After my parents passed away, Edward was the only family I had left.

We had been together since college and we loved each other deeply.

I felt like I was going crazy, my last bit of reason fading away little by little.

"Who is behind this? Who paid you to do this?" Charles snarled through gritted teeth.

The electronic voice stayed light and mocking. "That is none of your concern, Mr. Bennett. We are doing a job for someone who paid us.

"I will start a ten-second countdown. Ms. Lane, if you don't do as I say by then, I will cut off your husband's hand."

I flinched and snapped back to my senses for a moment. "Wait. I designed that ring, but fakes exist. How do I know you really have Edward?"

The electronic voice laughed darkly.

The screen flickered and changed to another scene. A familiar figure was tied to a chair, his eyes bloodshot.

Edward saw the camera and shook his head desperately, struggling violently. "Isabelle, do not do this for me," he shouted. "You bastards, face me instead of picking on a woman."

The next second, a cry of pain burst from him.

One of the men in black beside him struck him with a stun baton in anger.

Edward's body convulsed violently and foam started to form at his mouth.

"Edward!" I tried to rush over to Edward, but Charles held me back tightly.

"It's no use, Isabelle," he said. "The more you move, the faster the drug will take effect."

The scene cut straight back to the live broadcast, and the electronic voice began the countdown. "Ten... Nine..."

"Charles," I cried out, my voice breaking. "Please..."

I hadn't spoken to him in such a pleading tone in all these years, not since I lost to him in that college debate competition.

I was completely falling apart.

Edward was the man I had loved for seven years. I couldn't watch him get maimed.

Compared to his life, my fragile pride and dignity no longer meant anything.

Under the torment of both the drug and the threat, I gave up my last struggle.

Charles lifted his head sharply to look at me, his eyes filled with shock and a tangled emotion I couldn't name.

It felt like humiliation, yet also like heartache.

The comments on the screen were going wild.

[She finally came to her senses. Saving her husband by giving in to his rival? I'm obsessed with this plot!]

[Charles, don't just stand there. Kiss her!]

[Don't hold back after that kiss.]

[Do it!]

"Eight..." the electronic voice continued.

But Charles didn't move. He turned his head away, gritted his teeth, and held on, his body trembling faintly.

We both knew deep down what would happen if we kissed.

But for Edward's sake, I slowly walked toward Charles.

When I was several steps away, I had almost used up all my strength and stumbled forward.

Charles reacted quickly and steadied me, his burning palm pressing firmly against my waist. The heat seeped through my thin clothes and scorched my skin like fire.

"Careful," he said. His voice was hoarse, and his hold on me trembled even as he tried to stay restrained.

By then, the countdown had reached four.

The comments on the screen turned mocking.

[Is that all you've got? Can't even hold her properly?]

[What's wrong with you, Charles? Even the drugs aren't helping?]

[Isabelle, hurry up and move closer to him.]

"Kiss me," I said through gritted teeth, leaning my face closer to his.

Cold sweat dripped into my eyes and stung sharply, but I didn't dare close them. I held his gaze tightly.