?<strong>Chapter 302:</strong>


    “Sir, even if you intend to take my life, surely I deserve to know why.” Joelle managed a faint smile, effectively capturing Jonathan’s attention. Their eyes locked. Without hesitation, Joelle seized the dagger and created some space between them, aiming the de at his neck.


    Her nerves were frayed, but she knew this bold move was her only shot at survival. Even if it meant risking everything, she had to seize the opportunity. Jonathan looked down at the dagger in her hand but remained eerily calm and collected. “Do you really have the nerve to kill me?”


    Joelle’s grip on the dagger tightened, her heart racing. “Why wouldn’t I? Today, it’s either you or me!”


    Jonathan let out a softugh and took a step closer. Caught off guard by his advance, Joelle found herself retreating, the dagger barely grazing his Adam’s apple. It seemed a slight pressure from her would cause blood to flow. Joelle wrestled with her moral dilemma, convincing herself this was self-defense. If he died, she wouldn’t be to me.


    Before she could settle her internal struggle, the man overpowered her, seizing her hand with formidable strength. The ring on his thumb seemed familiar to Joelle, though she couldn’t ce it.


    The man smirked. “You don’t have the guts, do you?” Joelle met his gaze defiantly. “I just want to survive. Don’t push me.”


    “But you won’t make it,” Jonathan said bluntly. “I’ll ensure your death looks idental.”


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    “I have no grudge against you, right?” Joelle inhaled sharply, her anxiety evident. “Who are you working for?”


    “You don’t need to know.”


    Joelle fell quiet, her eyes flickering back to his ring. “You’re acquainted with Gina, aren’t you?” Her quick wit caught Jonathan off guard.


    At that moment, Leo appeared. “Jonathan, Lara’s on her way.” Jonathan scowled, annoyed. “Get rid of her.”


    Leo paused. “It’s not that simple.”


    It wasn’t because Leocked the ability. The two families had been close for generations, and Jonathan and Lara were engaged. By now, they should have already been married, but Jonathan kept stalling. The reason was simple—he felt nothing for his childhood friend, though there wasn’t anyone more fitting for him than Lara. Their rtionship had always been shaped by their parents’ influence and Lara’s one-sided love.


    Lara acted as though she was already his wife. This time, when she learned that he hadn’t been home in a while, she rushed over, furious. Jonathan didn’t feel like facing her, but he had no choice.


    Without warning, his attention shifted to Joelle. With a single motion, he knocked the dagger from her hand, seized her wrist, and pulled her away in silence. “What do you think you’re doing? Let go!”


    As Jonathan dragged her up the stairs, Joelle suddenly realized she was inside a fancy mansion. She had only seen this mansion in online photos, knowing that its residents were rarely around and held very prestigious positions. But none of that mattered now, and she didn’t have a second to marvel at it.


    “What are you doing?” she protested. Jonathan threw her onto the bed. The mattress’s sharp bounce left her dizzy. As Joelle tried to sit up, Jonathan pushed her back down, trapping her beneath him. With a tearing sound, her clothes ripped, exposing her shoulder to the cool air. “Hey!” Joelle couldn’t focus on anything else. If he nned to disgrace her, she would rather die.


    As she lifted her hand, Jonathan pinned it down. “If you want to stay alive, then do as I say.”


    His words eased Joelle’s anxiety. From what she’d overheard between the two men, she realized that a troublesome woman was on her way. Perhaps this woman would be her chance to escape. Nodding, she said, “I’ll cooperate with you. But will you let me live after?”


    “Yes.”


    Jonathan pulled the nket over them, and they slid beneath it together.


    Downstairs, Lara barreled in, with Leo failing to stop her. “Miss Reed, Jonathan is preupied!”


    “Preupied with what? He’s not responding to my calls or texts. Why hasn’t he left the country yet? Who’s here?” Leo looked uneasy.


    Paying him no mind, Lara went from room to room, her heels echoing loudly for a full ten minutes. Joelle nervously locked eyes with Jonathan.


    Jonathan, kneeling in front of her, undid his belt and removed his shirt, his bare chesting close to her face. Despite the situation, Joelle’s eyes couldn’t help but drift to the old scar on his chest.


    Jonathan smirked, his thin fingers tilting her chin upward, space between them growing more intimate. A shadow fell over Joelle’s face. “Caught you peeking. Want to make this real?”


    “NO!”


    This was Joelle’s first time in such a situation, and she was utterly embarrassed, her cheeks turning crimson as if they’d actually done something. Outside, Lara’s footsteps grew louder. Joelle whispered, “Aren’t you worried she’ll get upset?”


    “Hmm?”


    Joelle wrapped her arm around his neck. “If I y my part well, you better let me go!”


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