CHAPTER 200: CHAPTER 200: STAY AWAY FROM HER FROM NOW ON

Caleb Grant’s hand reached for the zipper at the back of Sheila Yardley’s dress, pulling it down, and the white dress floated on the pool.

Sheila Yardley struggled violently, coughing so hard she couldn’t even speak.

She wanted to push him away, but had to cling to his shoulders to stay above the water.

Sheila turned around, clutching the edge of the pool, trying to climb out with leverage, but Caleb held tightly onto her waist.

"You brought this on yourself."

Sheila’s eyes were filled with shock, fear, and despair...

Faint traces of blood quickly disappeared without a trace in the pool, yet the night remained tranquil.

The ink-blue night sky, a gently blowing breeze, the insects chirping in the grass, and slightly swaying branches.

No one knew what happened that night.

At around three in the morning, Caleb saw the doctor out and returned to Sheila’s room.

An IV drip hung by the bedside, with a transparent tube connected to Sheila’s arm.

She lay quietly in bed, as she still hadn’t woken up.

She had fainted in the pool and developed a high fever during the night.

Caleb took a deep breath, turned off the main light in the room, leaving only the dim bedside lamp on.

He went to the dining room and saw the cold dishes on the table, the untouched cake, and the still vibrant roses.

What should have been a wonderful evening, how did it turn out like this?

He stared at everything for a long while, then picked up the dishes one by one and dumped them into the kitchen trash bin, along with the cake and roses.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, one cigarette after another.

He thought maybe he was too panicked. He knew she had been with Ryder Griffin for a long time. He didn’t know what happened in between, but seeing her and Ryder together again, he feared she might return to Ryder.

But could he really hold onto her this way?

The night was long, and he couldn’t sleep.

He was afraid to think about how Sheila would react when she woke up. He hadn’t expected that it was her first time.

The alarm shouted in the morning—it was the time Sheila usually woke up.

Upon hearing the alarm, Caleb quickly turned it off, but it still woke Sheila.

Sheila slowly opened her eyes, turned her head, and saw Caleb standing by the bed.

She was groggy for a while before recalling what happened last night. How she wished it was just a nightmare.

She just glanced at Caleb, said nothing, and closed her eyes again, turning her back to him.

Caleb walked closer, reached out to feel her forehead, and as soon as he touched it, she flinched, turning her head away. But he could feel her temperature wasn’t as scorching as last night.

"Get up and have breakfast," Caleb said softly.

Sheila remained silent. After a moment of quiet in the room, hearing his footsteps heading towards the door, she suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse, "Can you let me go now?"

Caleb paused, looking at her. Sheila propped herself up to sit, her gaze towards him changed, no longer as timid and cautious as before.

He didn’t answer, listening to her continue, "From the beginning, this is what you wanted, right? You said, once I sleep with you, the debt would be written off. I’ve been working for you for so long now, have repaid some part, we’re even."

Listening to her speaking so calmly and rationally, Caleb looked down, after half a second he looked at her, speaking slowly and indifferently, "Do you think one night is worth that price?"

Sheila frowned, but Caleb didn’t linger, and walked straight out of the room.

She thought he was genuinely kind and would keep his promise to let her go when the time came.

Turns out he was just a wolf in sheep’s clothing, finally showing his beastly side.

Sheila got out of bed, dressed up, and like usual, but she didn’t bother with house chores or breakfast anymore. After leaving the room, she headed straight to the hallway.

"Eat breakfast," Caleb commanded from a distance.

The old her might have obediently listened, but he had never made her breakfast before.

Now, Sheila ignored him, put on her shoes, and slammed the door shut as she left.

Caleb stood in place, frowning, expecting her to be angry when she woke up, but not this attitude.

He immediately followed her out, driving behind her.

She seemed unaffected, as usual, and headed straight to her workplace, smiling and greeting her colleagues.

Caleb thought maybe after a day or two, once her anger subsided, everything would be fine.

That night, he texted her, saying he had a meeting and would be home late, but got no reply.

She would usually at least reply "Okay" to such messages.

When Caleb returned, it was already after nine. He opened the door, and there was no one there to leave the lights on for him. The room was pitch dark.

He turned on the light in the hallway, glanced at the shoes on the floor. Her slippers were still placed by the cabinet as if she hadn’t come back yet.

He didn’t bother to change shoes, casually tossing his coat on the sofa, and walked straight to her room.

She wasn’t there.

It was then Caleb realized something was wrong, hurriedly took out his phone and called her. The call connected but was hung up; when he tried again, it went to voicemail.

Where could she have gone? Did she go to Ryder again?

Caleb, brows furrowed tightly, grabbed his car keys and went out again.

First, he drove to her workplace. The company doors were locked, clearly after hours.

Then he went to Ryder’s studio, which was still open. He walked straight in.

"Sir, do you need any help?" The receptionist asked warmly.

Caleb didn’t look pleased, directly asking, "Where’s Ryder Griffin?"

The receptionist was stunned, "You’re looking for Mr. Griffin? Did you have an appointment? May I have your number to check?"

"Call him out."

The receptionist was confused, Caleb didn’t look like he was here for business, the receptionist was in a dilemma when Ryder came down from upstairs.

"What are you doing here?" Ryder’s expression wasn’t friendly either upon seeing Caleb.

"Where’s Sheila?" Caleb asked bluntly.

"Elaine? You’re asking me? What did you do to her? Is she missing?!"

Caleb saw Ryder’s reaction, clearly showing Sheila hadn’t come to him, turned around wanting to leave.

Ryder grabbed Caleb’s arm, "Explain yourself! What happened to Elaine?!"

Caleb turned back to Ryder, fiercely saying, "Stay away from her from now on."