?Chapter 697:

    Besty’s mind cleared instantly, all her racing thoughts vanishing as her survival instinct kicked in. She didn’t care how pathetic she looked as she dropped to her hands and knees, crawling across the floor toward him. She positioned herself at his feet, her heart pounding so hard against her ribs that she was sure he could hear it.

    “Lift your head.” Terrence’s voice cut through the air like a de—sharp andmanding.

    Without hesitation, Besty lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes revealing a mix of confusion and seduction. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth in a subtle, teasing gesture, her eyes smoldering with desire.

    Terrence gazed deeply into those familiar eyes, struck by how much they reminded him of Christina. Suddenly, her bold, defiant attitude zed through his thoughts like fire.

    The resemnce between them was uncanny. Their eyes shared the same captivating intensity, the same dangerous spark that could drive a man to madness.

    This striking simrity was the very reason Terrence had chosen to keep Besty close to him from the beginning.

    As Terrence stared down at Besty, Christina’s face began to rece hers in his mind. The image sent his lust spiraling into overdrive, his body responding with fierce intensity. All he craved was to capture Christina—the woman who could set his blood on fire with just a nce—and make herpletely his, body and soul.

    Terrence’s eyes narrowed into slits of dangerous hunger, his stare darkening with raw, uncontrolled desire.

    Without warning, he lifted his strong arm and grabbed a fistful of Besty’s hair with rough fingers, forcing her head toward his groin withmanding pressure.

    Besty had never experienced such harsh treatment before, the degrading nature of his actions cutting deep into her pride. She felt insulted, her heart aching with pain, yet she couldn’t bring herself to fight back.

    She was terrified that any resistance would make Terrence throw her away like garbage and never look back. And after that, he would disappear from her life.

    Forever, leaving her with nothing but memories. Instead of bing an empty, broken woman after losing him, she chose to endure this degradation because it still allowed her to experience tiny moments of pleasure with him. Even with his pants in the way, Besty could feel his hard arousal pressing against her, the sensation both overwhelming and exciting, awakening her own desperate need. As long as Terrence’s body showed desire for her, she believed there was still a chance for something real between them.

    But Besty had no idea that Terrence never truly saw her at all. He had always viewed her as Christina’s stand-in, and every gentle touch or sweet word was really intended for Christina.

    Besty pressed her cheek against his muscr thigh, her soft hands trailing along his powerful legs with gentle touches, gradually working their way higher up his body.

    The moment her fingers touched the metal buckle of his belt, somethingpletely unexpected interrupted them.

    Terrence’s fingers wrapped around Besty’s wrist like a steel trap before he shoved her away, his face twisted with unmistakable disgust.

    Besty staggered to the side, her palms pping against the cold floor as she fought to keep herself from crashing downpletely.

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