CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: I WANT YOU NOW

Keegan Lindsey supported Aiden Fordham as they walked into the cabin, then whispered:

"President Fordham, do you need me to call a doctor for you?"

"Where is she?"

"Young Madam is in the V8 lounge, Old Master just went to talk to her."

Aiden Fordham’s brows eased slightly; apparently, she hadn’t sneaked off with Andy Lockwood.

Inside the V8 lounge, Stella Grant was on the phone.

On the other end was Vivi Sterling’s triumphant laughter:

"How about it, pretty good plan, right? Three birds with one stone—so damn satisfying! Too bad you weren’t on the scene, but I had it all recorded. I’ll make sure she’s infamous across the whole country!"

Indeed, this plan really did kill three birds with one stone. For one, the Fordham Family’s party wasn’t disrupted; for another, it gave Young Master Grant a stern warning; and, most importantly, Corinne Kensington was left utterly humiliated.

Stella Grant’s tone carried a hint of reproach: "You really are too bold, you little brat. When you get back, godmother’s definitely locking you up in the little black room!"

"Ha! I always settle scores immediately, never drag things out overnight. So what if I get locked up? Just remember to bring me food."

Stella Grant laughed: "Alright, alright, I promise you won’t go hungry."

"Feeling fantastic—come up here for a drink to celebrate, hurry, hurry, hurry!"

"Okay!" Stella hung up, preparing to leave the room.

The door opened. A tall man stood outside; his handsome face was dark enough to wring water from it.

Seeing Keegan Lindsey supporting him, she guessed he must have drunk too much at some social gathering tonight.

"Madam, the Young Master is feeling unwell. Could I trouble you to look after him?"

Keegan Lindsey helped Aiden Fordham into the suite, then slipped away as fast as he could.

Stella Grant said indifferently, "I’ll have someone bring you sobering tea. Just get some rest for now."

She turned to leave, but Aiden took a quick step forward and yanked her into his arms, holding her tight.

The familiar scent of her body hit him, sending his thoughts whirling in chaos and desire.

Inside the cabin, the air was so tight and tense it was suffocating.

Stella Grant jumped in fright, struggling to get free, only to find his hold become even tighter, locking her in.

His arms were like steel bands, squeezing her so hard it hurt, showing no intention of letting go.

Aiden Fordham was like a heavy mountain, pressing Stella Grant against his chest so firmly it felt like he could crush her, knead her into his bones and flesh.

She could even smell the pungent scent of alcohol mixed with something unfamiliar, an unnerving heat that made her heart pound with dread.

Suddenly, his burning breath grazed her neck, and then, an aggressive kiss crashed down on her lips.

Stella Grant’s pupils contracted sharply. Shock and humiliation overwhelmed her in an instant, breaking through all reason.

Almost by instinct, she bit down hard!

"Smack!"

The taste of blood spread through her mouth, along with the crisp, sharp sound of a slap echoing in the confined space.

Stella Grant broke free from his grip, stepping back, chest heaving, her voice shaking with uncontrollable anger:

"Aiden Fordham, are you insane? Look at me—do you even know who I am?"

Aiden’s head whipped to the side from her slap, his face burning in pain, and his lip bleeding from her bite.

He slowly turned back, his eyes blood-red and terrifying, roiling with crazed possessiveness and insulted fury, locked intensely on her.

His voice was hoarse, edged with a menacing coldness.

"Stella Grant, how dare you reject me? You just started cozying up to Andy Lockwood, and now I’m not allowed to touch you? You sure built your chastity shrine fast!"

His humiliating words stabbed into Stella Grant’s heart like knives.

Shaking with rage, she fought back without backing down:

"We’re getting a divorce! Get your facts straight!"

"Heh." Aiden let out a low laugh, but it was cold, full of icy malice and crazed obsession.

"I haven’t signed the divorce papers yet. As long as I haven’t signed, you’re still Mrs. Fordham, my wife!"

He took a step forward, towering over her with frightening force.

"Right now, I want you."

He said those words slowly, clearly, as if making a statement that allowed for no argument.

Before she could react, he stooped again and crushed her lips with another kiss, this time even more possessive and forceful.

Stella Grant struggled helplessly, only to feel his searing breath and husky whispers at her ear:

"Help me... baby..."

The way he called her "baby" was laden with a jarring mix of need and pain, making Stella’s heart lurch violently.

Only now did she clearly sense that something was off. His body was burning hot, his eyes wild with unfocused need—nothing like the usual Aiden Fordham.

Could it be... he’d been drugged with something?

The thought made her skin crawl with revulsion.

There was no doubt—this had Corinne Kensington written all over it.

She shoved at his chest, mind racing back to Corinne’s disgusting words from before:

"When you miscarried, Aiden was in my bed..."

A wave of disgust surged inside her. Gritting her teeth, she spat out: "Let Corinne Kensington help you! I think you’re disgusting!"

Aiden’s movements halted abruptly.

He looked up, hurt flickering red in his eyes, only to have it quickly smothered by deeper desire.

He stared at her with raw seriousness, enunciating every word:

"I never slept with her. From start to finish, you’ve been the only woman. Stella, don’t refuse me..."

Stella Grant was completely stunned.

What did he just say?

He and Corinne Kensington never... how was that possible?

In the instant she froze, Aiden spun her around and slammed her hard into the icy wall of the cabin.

From behind, he pressed in tight, his scorching body heat burning her even through the thin fabric, sending a chill up her spine.

One powerful hand reached forward, pinning her wrists high above her head against the wall.

With his other hand, he began yanking open the buttons of his shirt, the sound of fabric tearing harsh and sharp.

The contrast between the freezing wall and the burning heat at her back left her nowhere to escape.

He bent his head, pressing his scorching lips to her pale and delicate back.

He’d been thinking about this beautiful back of hers all night, unable to get it out of his mind.

The moist, hot sensation made her scalp tingle. She screamed in terror:

"Aiden Fordham! Let me go! I don’t want this!"

But he ignored her cries and her struggle, moving like a beast utterly ruled by instinct.

Her screams only fueled the fever in his body, making him even more uncontrollable.

Because Stella Grant struggled so fiercely, she tore open the wound on the back of Aiden Fordham’s hand, blood welling up once again.

But he didn’t care; all he cared about was her, desperate to devour her whole.

The thought of her flirting with Andy Lockwood tonight was enough to drive him crazy.

"Aiden Fordham!" Stella Grant sobbed in despair, "It’s not even the right day—get a grip!"

Those words seemed to strike a chord.

Aiden Fordham’s movements paused for a moment.