Chapter 3 You Handed Me Over Just Like That?

The room exploded with laughter and tasteless jokes. Some exec even yelled, "Have fun, Louis!"

Sophia felt ice in her veins. Her body moved like a puppet on strings, being pulled along against her will.

"Don't worry, darling. I'm always nice to pretty things like you," Louis whispered, his grip like iron as he steered her toward the private suite.

Hotel staff caught one look and disappeared, closing doors behind them. Perfect privacy.

The second the door clicked, Louis slammed her against the wall, his breath making her stomach turn.

She jerked her face away as he pinned her hands overhead.

"You're absolutely perfect," he growled.

Sophia fought with everything she had, but he was too strong.

"Stop - we're in the lounge-" she gasped.

"No one's coming in here," Louis laughed. "Just us."

Tears burned in her eyes as she tried to dodge him.

'William,' she thought bitterly. 'This is how you treat me? Just hand me over?'

"Just relax and let me take care of you."

Sophia's eyes went wide with panic.

No. Not happening. No way.

Pure adrenaline kicked in. She screamed and chomped down on his shoulder like a pitbull.

Louis jumped back, cursing. "You little-"

His face twisted with rage as he kicked her down.

Sophia hit the floor but looked up, eyes blazing.

"Grace Brown."

Louis stopped cold. He grabbed her throat, yanking her close. "What did you just say?"

Sophia's heart raced as she pushed her tangled hair from her face, forcing a weak smile. "Grace," she repeated, her voice barely steady. "You've got feelings for her, don't you?"

Louis's fingers dug deeper into her throat, his tongue sliding across his teeth in that predatory way that made her skin crawl. "Maybe I do. She needs to learn her place, just like you."

Despite the fear crushing her chest, Sophia pressed on. "Real relationships need love and trust, but that's not what you're after, is it?" Her eyes met his, unflinching. "You just want to break her spirit."

A spark of intrigue flashed across Louis's face. "And you're saying you can help with that?"

Sophia swallowed hard, tasting bile in her throat, but nodded. "Grace will be back soon – she's scheduled to visit the Brown Group." Every word felt like betrayal on her tongue. "I can help you get to her."

Louis narrowed his eyes. "Give me one reason to believe you."

"Grace is Mr. Brown's aunt," Sophia said, clutching her torn blouse closer, desperate to shield herself. "She's the Brown family's golden child – James Brown's precious daughter. Think about what that could mean for you."

A cruel smile played on Louis's lips, but suspicion still darkened his eyes. He leaned in until she could feel his hot breath on her cheek. "So you'd sell out William's family just because I tried to force myself on you?"

The color drained from Sophia's face. "If Mr. Brown hadn't dragged me here tonight, you wouldn't have had the chance to assault me."

Louis's laughter filled the room, sharp and cold.

"Fine, you're free to go – for now," he said, finally releasing her throat.

Relief flooded through Sophia, but before she could stand, Louis yanked her back against him. His whisper in her ear sent ice through her veins.

"Cross me," he breathed, "and I'll make sure every breath you take for the rest of your life is filled with regret."

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