Chương 490: Chapter 489: Assault

Carla Salt"My lord," I greeted, bowing my head. A long moment passed with no reply, but I could feel his eyes on me—heavy, invasive. More intense than before, as if he wanted to see through my clothes. It made me feel naked. I had endured such gazes in the past. I had never liked them—never—but I had borne them. Now, I no longer wanted to bear even that. There was only one man who had the right to look at me that way. And this man was not him.

"Sit," he said at last, nearly a minute later.

"Thank you, my lord," I replied, taking the chair across from him. His gaze only grew more blatant—raw, hungry. That was when I noticed it. The faint scent of alcohol. He was drunk. I should deliver the message and leave, I decided. I removed the invitation from my bag and placed it before him.

"This is an invitation for the Founding Day celebration. Lord Silver hopes that Lord Count and you will grace his city with your presence." He did not even glance at it. His eyes never left me. A chill ran down my spine. I opened my mouth to request leave, but he spoke first.

"Does Silver satisfy you?" The question struck like a slap. I froze. Many had looked at me that way in recent weeks. But none had spoken like this.

"He is young," the man continued with a sneer.

"He cannot satisfy a whore like you—one used to dozens of men each day." Shock turned into clarity. I met his gaze directly.

"Lord Silver satisfies me more than any man ever has," I said evenly.

"And more than any man ever could." For a heartbeat, surprise flickered across his face. Then he grinned and stood.

"It seems you've never been taken by a real man," he said, licking his lips.

"If you had, you wouldn't say that." Fear pierced me—sharp and immediate. I rose and moved for the door without hesitation. I knew that look. I had seen it countless times. And I knew what came next. It struck me then, with bitter certainty—No matter how far I ran, my past would always be there, waiting. Sometimes I forgot who I had been. Men like him made sure I remembered. He didn't want to remind me. He wanted me to relive it. I had met thousands of men since becoming head of Remus's business.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. None had been this brazen. They had insulted me, suggested things, whispered. But none had crossed the line so openly. I reached the door. Relief surged— And then— Hands seized me. Cold terror shot through my body.

"Today," he breathed into my ear, his voice thick with drink, "I'll show you what it means to be taken by a real man." I struggled, but his grip was iron.

"Let me go!" I shouted, panic flooding me.

"Damn, you're strong," he muttered. I fought harder. Cloth tore under his hands. Horror crashed over me as fabric ripped away.

"You're a beautiful whore," he said, laughing.

"I'm going to enjoy this." My breath came in ragged bursts.

"Let me go," I demanded.

"Remus will kill you." He chuckled.

"You think too highly of yourself—and of Silver. No matter what I do, he won't say a word." My heart pounded wildly. I was stronger than him. Higher level. But his class—his strength—pinned me down. My abilities were not built for this kind of fight.

"Please… don't," I begged, dread clawing up my throat. Memories surged. Every buried horror of my childhood. Every night I had tried to forget. They flooded back, vivid as living images. Slap!

"Stay still," he snarled, forcing me down against the table.

"Help!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face. I fought with everything I had. It wasn't enough. Seconds passed. Then— Something inside me cracked. Not bone. Something deeper. Crack. Crack. Crack. Power surged through me. A force I had never felt before—vast, cold, unyielding. Boom. It exploded outward. The man froze—stunned. I wrenched free. For a moment, I wanted to kill him. My hand even brushed the knife in my bag. But I stopped. For myself, I would have done it. But not for Remus.

I would not drag him into my consequences. I grabbed my coat, pulled it around me, and tied my sash. The power receded, settling back into my body. I opened the door. Hugo stood outside, facing my guards. His gaze snapped to me—then past me. Shock filled his face.

"Red," I said. He turned instantly to the mage. I walked past them, not stopping. Not slowing. I needed to leave. Now. People stared as I moved through the halls. Frozen. Shocked. Some part of me understood why—but I pushed it away.

"Lord Silver wishes to speak with you, Miss Carla," Mage Cliff said, extending his hand. I didn't want to touch any man. But I took it. The connection formed instantly.

"Carla, what happened?" Remus's voice came through, tight with concern. Relief flooded me. No matter what happened—he would stand with me. I told him everything. I felt Hugo's rage nearby. But Remus's was greater. Colder. Fiercer. It did not frighten me. It steadied me. Then— the connection cut.

"They've activated anti-communication measures," Mage Cliff said. I nodded and continued walking. Toward the city hall exit. And the line of guards waiting outside. Across the city, a man in his late fifties paused mid-conversation as a pressure swept through the air. All three men froze.

"Aura," said the younger, platinum-haired man.

"From the city hall," the older replied, his own aura flaring instinctively. For a moment, hope sparked in his eyes—thinking of his son. Then he frowned. This aura was different. Gentle… but unbreakable. Then it vanished. A few seconds later, his expression hardened.

"Seal the city hall," he ordered, rising sharply.

"Take them into custody." Before the others could respond, he blurred from sight. The remaining two exchanged a glance—and followed immediately.