"As long as you obey me," Ye Chen's voice was calm, yet every word dripped with an oppressive dominance,
"I will naturally let you go."
The masculine heat radiating from him pressed against Xiao Xun'er like an invisible cage.
Her delicate body tensed, her breath quickening as her heart pounded in turmoil. She shook her head instinctively, her long hair brushing over her cheeks like silk in the wind.
"No… no, I can't…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Brother Ye Chen," she pleaded, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears, "please… change the conditions. I'll agree to anything....anything except this."
Her flushed cheeks glistened faintly under the dim light.
Even as his fingers pinched her slender neck, she forced herself to speak, her tone fragile yet desperate. Her gaze....usually clear and prideful.....was now tinged with helplessness.
But beneath that helpless facade, hatred boiled.
She wanted nothing more than to claw him apart, to shred him until no trace of him remained. She would rather die than yield to Ye Chen.
"This is my only condition," he said coldly. "Satisfy me, and I will let you walk away."
His hand moved, fingers sliding under her chin, tilting her head upward with slow, deliberate force.
A wicked smile curved his lips, his eyes locking with hers.
"I can never agree to this," Xiao Xun'er replied in a low, anxious tone, her voice tightening like a bowstring. "Brother Ye Chen… anything but this."
Snap!
The sound of the slap was sharp in the still air. Ye Chen released her neck only to strike her across the face, his expression sinking into a cold shadow.
"Xiao Xun'er, don't be ungrateful. I've already told you....once you're here, don't even think about leaving."
Her small frame collapsed onto the cold floor, a ribbon of blood slowly tracing the corner of her lips.
Her palm rose to her stinging cheek as her breath came in shallow bursts.
Even now, her eyes glared up at him with a stubborn light, refusing to submit.
But the truth was undeniable....he had no intention of letting her go. The realization crushed her spirit, and a wave of despair washed over her.
Was she truly going to be trapped here… a prisoner to this man's will?
She regretted provoking him tonight..regretted it to the depths of her bones.
"Xiao Xun'er, I'm giving you a chance," Ye Chen said, stepping forward. His voice lowered, dangerous and edged.
"I'm being polite only because you're beautiful. Don't mistake my patience for weakness."
His fingers clamped around her smooth chin once more, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"Kill me if you dare!" she spat back, every word vibrating with contempt. "I'd rather die than obey you, Ye Chen!"
The defiance in her voice made his brow twitch. Suicide...was that truly in her mind?
A thought flashed through him: If she kills herself, there's no point in all this. If she were to conceive later, her life....and the child's...would be at risk.
His eyes narrowed, then a glint of cunning flickered in them.
He reached into his robe, pulling out a small porcelain bottle. From it, he tipped a single, ominous pill into his palm.
"If you won't listen," he said, his smile twisting into something dangerous, "then don't blame me for being ruthless."
Her gaze fixed on the pill, dread tightening in her chest. "What… is that?"
"This," he replied slowly, savoring her reaction, "is called the Puppet Pill. Once you take it, you will obey me as if I were your master...without question, without will...just like Ling Ying."
Her pupils constricted as she turned toward Ling Ying, standing silently in the shadows. The memory of that once-proud man's fall from strength to obedient servant froze her blood.
Before she could react, Ye Chen lunged forward, yanking her into his arms. His voice was low and cruel: "After that, whatever I tell you to do...you will do."
"No! I don't want it!" Her voice cracked as she thrashed in his grip. "Ye Chen, please, don't make me take that! I'm begging you!"
He pushed her down, his weight pinning her, the chill of the floor seeping through her clothes. "You want to leave? Fine. Take this pill, and I'll let you go immediately."
Her head shook frantically, tears spilling freely. "No… no… please… I can't… I'll do anything else!"
The terror in her eyes was raw—because she knew. If she took that pill, she would no longer be herself. Her body would be a puppet, her soul chained. Even death would be denied to her.
The thought of Ye Chen ordering her into his bed and her being unable to resist sent shivers of horror down her spine.
But Ye Chen knew the truth....the pill in his hand was no Puppet Pill at all. Still, the fear it inspired was a weapon sharper than any blade.
Her resistance faltered. Her pride was screaming, but her survival instincts were louder.
"Brother Ye Chen… I…" she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. "I promise to obey you. I'll do whatever you ask. Just… don't make me take it."
Inwardly, she was already planning her death. If she pretended to submit now, perhaps she could find a moment to end her life before he bound her will completely.
Ye Chen studied her closely, sensing the faint scent of defiance still clinging to her. For the future....his future....he needed to keep that spark from turning into suicide.
"Good," he said at last, his expression softening into something almost playful. "Since you're being obedient, I won't waste this pill."
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