Chapter 72: The Wall Between Them
The Baroness lay in the warm bathtub, drifting off to sleep. In her half-conscious state, she seemed transported back four years.
Her brother Rex was still alive then, and she was deeply in love with Duke. She vaguely remembered the melody and lights of that charity gala, and the engagement ring Duke had held in his hand.
The water rippled, and Ana felt a pair of hands slowly caressing her body, making her want to surrender to the sensation. Suddenly, she was jolted awake by the incredibly real touch on her skin.
Her eyes snapped open!
A familiar face greeted her, a hint of mockery playing on his lips. Ana struggled to sit up, but the man gripped her throat, pressing his index finger to her lips.
"Shh... keep your voice down. If someone finds us like this, it'll be hard to explain, won't it?" he said, his gaze sweeping over Ana's body beneath the water.
Ana felt a surge of intense shame. She pulled her legs together and turned slightly, trying to conceal herself from him. Then she asked in a low, hoarse voice, "Mason, what are you doing here?!"
"I'm Daniel's wife. How can you do this to him?" Ana's mind raced as she spoke. "Didn't Storm Shadow deal with him?" In her mind, Storm Shadow was the most lethal assassin in the world—once he struck, he never failed.
She resolved to stall for time until Storm Shadow returned, and demanded sharply, "Let me go! Daniel is downstairs. If I scream, he'll come up immediately."
Mason removed his finger from Ana's lips, then traced it down her cheek and neck, passing through the warm water.
Ana tensed and shivered involuntarily. She was naked and trapped in the bathtub, practically at her most vulnerable.
Mason tightened his grip on Ana's throat, leaning close to her ear. "If you want, you can scream louder in a bit, and I guarantee I'll make it worth your while!"
Understanding the implication in Mason's words, a blush flashed across Ana's face, followed by a murderous glint in her eyes. Before she could respond, Mason's next words sent chills down her spine!
"Daniel is in a video conference downstairs and won't be available for a while. If you're waiting for that assassin in white, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
Mason clearly felt Ana's body trembling violently underwater. It was as if she wasn't soaking in a warm bath, but rather thrown naked into freezing water!
"You... what did you say? I don't understand," Ana stammered, her tongue tied.
"He encountered Storm Shadow, but why isn't he dead? Did Storm Shadow not attack, or did he fail?" Though it seemed impossible, it was the only explanation.
Ana steadied herself slightly, forcing herself to calm down. Her eyes flickered, and she shifted her position underwater.
A hazy, watery glow shimmered around Ana's body, giving her an ethereal radiance. She was a clever woman—she knew that if even Storm Shadow couldn't defeat this man, she wouldn't stand a chance, even with a weapon.
But as a woman, her most powerful weapon wasn't a gun—it was her beauty.
She placed her hand on Mason's wrist. "You're being too rough. At the wedding, the way you looked at me told me exactly what kind of man you are."
"Now that Daniel's here, you've revealed your true nature." As she spoke, she gently caressed Mason's hand with her fingertips, displaying her full powers of seduction.
Mason feigned being captivated and leaned in to kiss Ana's cheek. Ana carefully concealed the murderous intent in her eyes. "Don't rush—wait until I finish my bath."
"I know you resent Daniel, and so do I. I never wanted to share a bed with him anyway."
"Mason, from the first moment I saw you, I was drawn to you. I want to be with you!" Ana said passionately, believing no man could resist her charms.
Indeed, she felt his grip on her throat gradually loosen, and his eyes became unfocused.
Just as she was about to press her advantage and completely win him over, she suddenly noticed his expression hardening.
"I like you too—how about we start now?" Ana panicked. Before she could react, she felt a strong force pull her out of the bathtub, leaving her exposed in mid-air.
"What are you doing?" Ana couldn't help but cry out.
"I need to collect some interest first!"
She was casually tossed onto the large bed by Mason. Ana grabbed the blanket, but immediately felt his weight as Mason pinned her down.
"If I hadn't moved fast enough, that assassin would've put a blade through my skull. Tell me, how should I be compensated for such a warm welcome?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ana continued to deny.
"McCullen told me that if I help him obtain the nanotech warheads, you'd be mine." Mason wore an enigmatic smile, looking at Ana as if appraising a prize.
"What did you say?" Ana could no longer maintain her composure.
"That's impossible! He wouldn't do that to me!" Her face showed defiance, but her tone betrayed uncertainty.
She understood that man—he had been preparing for this day for over a decade, and nothing and no one was more important than his plan.
A satisfied smile flashed across Mason's face as he continued, "I once hoped to have you permanently, but McCullen didn't agree. He told me I could only have you for a month, and after that, you'd belong to him again."
Ana's face drained of color. Her eyes went vacant. Being traded like a commodity, having her dignity trampled upon—the humiliation gnawed at her heart. Though filled with sorrow, she seemed unable to muster any resistance.
"What do you think Storm Shadow is here for?" Mason chuckled. "To help me obtain the nanotech warheads." He reached for a towel, his hand sliding across her skin.
"You're absolutely stunning. Don't worry—I'll take good care of you."
His goal achieved, Mason had successfully driven a wedge between Ana and McCullen.
Ana would never question this. Even if she did, McCullen's response would only confirm her worst fears.
Some things, once they've happened, the truth no longer matters.
Feeling the unwanted touch, a deep-seated hatred flashed in Ana's eyes!
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