Reclaiming Her Heart

Selena had already made her way outside, her figure silhouetted against the evening light. Lucas Den's car was parked nearby, summoned by a message she had dispatched earlier. After all, she was still an employee under Lucas Den's payroll, and even though he was yet to arrive in Ridgefield, it was time to utilize his services.

As Selena rounded the corner, her eyes set on Lucas Den's car, Raymond abruptly seized her uninjured wrist. They were still within the garden's confines, and a handful of scattered bystanders turned their attention to Raymond upon witnessing his action.

Selena's gaze fell to his slender fingertips encircling her wrist, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Mr. Montague, is there an issue?" she inquired.

Raymond relinquished his hold on her wrist, his voice laced with frustration. "I've been sending you messages these past days; you haven't responded."

"If it's not concerning Manhattan, I fail to see why I need to respond to you," she retorted.

"Why didn't you appreciate my intervention with the drink?" he asked, his tone accusatory.

"Mr. Montague, you are a client. It's inappropriate for a client to intervene on my behalf," she replied, her voice firm. With the single word 'client,' she delineated a clear boundary between them.

Raymond felt a sharp pang in his heart, but he managed to suppress his anger, given their public setting. His expression darkened as he looked at her. "How did your hand get injured?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Is there anything else?" she asked, her tone clearly indicating her impatience and lack of interest in discussing such matters.

For the first time, Raymond felt the sting of his unwelcome presence. He looked down at her, her face still cool and impassive. Leaning in, he locked his gaze with hers. The distance between them closed suddenly, and he accused, "Selena, you're being rather ungrateful."

Selena laughed, accepting a drink from a passing server. Her lips curved into a smile as she responded, "Mr. Montague, have you never been rejected by a woman before? If simply not wanting to accept your favor equates to being ungrateful, then you, as a man, are being rather petty."

Her gaze fell to the drink in her hand, her eyelashes casting a shadow over her eyes. "I'm married now. Naturally, I have to maintain a distance from you to avoid unnecessary gossip. We can't let everyone here assume there might be something between us, can we?"

Raymond straightened up, his voice icy. "So now you admit there's something going on, and you're ashamed?"

He had hoped Selena would say something to lighten the mood. The tension between them was palpable - they hadn't exchanged harsh words, but the air was thick with unspoken sentiments.

"Indeed, so for the remaining three times, I'd like to settle in cash," she declared, looking up at him, her eyes dark and resolute. "I don't want to play this game with Mr. Montague anymore. It's lost its appeal."

Her gaze was steady, as if their previous encounters were nothing more than a fleeting breeze brushing against her fingertips.

Raymond's eyes narrowed, cold as an Oliver winter frost. His formidable presence unfurled, his eyes reflecting a savagery fiercer than a wolf's. But Selena wasn't intimidated; she stood her ground, said her piece, and turned to leave. His threat echoed behind her, "Are you aware of the consequences if you walk out now?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Selena spun around and splashed the drink in his face. She had done the same to Catherine before, and now it was Raymond's turn. The act brought her a sense of relief.

The scent of alcohol filled Raymond's nostrils, and all eyes turned towards them, the crowd stepping back in shock. This designer was playing with fire by daring to disrespect Raymond!

Selena set the glass down, her tone indifferent. "What consequences? My life? I'm not someone who fears death."

Raymond seized her wrist and pulled her outside. He had attended numerous such events, but tonight marked the first time he had been so publicly humiliated.

When they reached a secluded corner where the flowers bloomed more vibrantly and there were no guests in sight, Raymond pushed her against the floral wall, his eyes ablaze with anger.

Selena simply closed her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze. Her stubbornness could indeed be infuriating at times.

Raymond bent down and bit her lip, prying her mouth open. Selena frowned and without hesitation bit his tongue, causing him to recoil in pain.

He pulled back, panting, and looked at her. Selena's eyes were red, and right in front of him, she fiercely wiped her lips, a look of disdain crossing her face.

That disdain was like a sharp needle, piercing straight into his heart, igniting a rage that spread rapidly throughout his body.

"Disgusted? After doing this so many times, isn't it a bit late to feel disgusted now?" he spat out.

"It's precisely because we've done this a few times that the experience isn't even on par with hiring a high-end escort. Mr. Montague, three more times, right? How about this, I'll pay you thirty million, and we'll call it even." No one had ever dared insult Raymond quite like this. He even felt that the woman standing before him no longer cared for her own life.