Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Be Good, and You Can Suffer Less

At the banquet’s head table.

Victor Warren raised his glass, his smile cordial. "Ms. Kendall, my apologies. I was rude just now. I’ll penalize myself with a drink."

He downed the small glass of liquor in one go.

"Now that this magnificent Flowing Light Brocade has made its appearance, no other birthday gift will be worthy of my father’s attention."

Claire Kendall responded politely, "You flatter me. I just happen to know a thing or two about the kind of crafts Mr. Warren appreciates."

She held her glass, took a symbolic sip, and the pungent aroma of the aged liquor shot up her nose.

"My own daughter, Yvonne, pales in comparison to you."

"She was spoiled growing up and doesn’t have your artistic prowess. If the opportunity arises, I hope you wouldn’t mind giving her a little guidance, Ms. Kendall."

The praise was extravagant, but also laced with venom.

To accept would be to seem arrogant, presuming to lecture the young lady of the Warren family.

To refuse would make her seem petty and ungracious.

An instant silence fell over the table, and even people at the neighboring tables turned to look.

Claire Kendall was trying to figure out how to handle this hot potato.

Beside her, Miles Warren suddenly put down his chopsticks.

His eyes lifted slightly as he unhurriedly picked up a moist towel to wipe his hands. There was a cold edge to his voice.

"Brother, we’re at Dad’s birthday banquet. This is a time for eating. Save the shop talk for the office."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Louis Warren immediately laughed and smoothed things over.

"Miles is right. It’s not often we’re all together. The whole point is to enjoy ourselves."

With a few simple words, Miles Warren had effortlessly gotten Claire Kendall out of a tight spot.

Anyone with eyes could see that Louis Warren favored his younger son to an extreme degree.

Although Victor Warren was currently in charge of the Warren family’s businesses, it was an open secret who would ultimately inherit them.

At a nearby table, Yvonne Warren gripped her chopsticks so tightly her fingertips turned white.

Jacob Sinclair’s gaze seemed to be glued to Claire Kendall.

She was the eldest daughter of the main branch of the Warren family, yet whenever Claire Kendall was around, she was reduced to being a mere foil!

Halfway through the banquet, Claire Kendall excused herself from the table.

The kick from that small sip of liquor had gone to her head, making her cheeks flush and her head feel dizzy.

She leaned over. "I’m going to the back garden for some fresh air."

As one of the hosts, it was inconvenient for Miles Warren to leave the table. He nodded, then reached over and plucked Bobby—who was sitting beside him, happily gnawing on a chicken leg—right out of his chair.

Bobby’s mouth was slick with grease, and he let out a confused murmur, his big eyes wide with bewilderment.

Miles Warren pulled out a moist towel and helped the little guy wipe the grease from his hands.

"Bobby, the Fairy Princess is going to the garden alone now. Can you protect her?"

’Protect the Fairy Princess?’

Bobby instantly puffed out his little chest and nodded vigorously.

"Good boy." Miles Warren ruffled his hair, though a flicker of coldness passed through the depths of his eyes.

The two of them, one big and one small, left the main banquet hall. Miles Warren only looked away once their figures had vanished from sight.

Smiling, Victor Warren picked up a morsel of food, his gaze full of unspoken meaning.

-

「The Back Garden.」

Bobby stuck close to Claire Kendall, swinging his little legs and earnestly counting the stars. "One, two, three hundred..."

Claire Kendall laughed. "Three hundred already?"

"Young Master, I’ve finally found you!"

A woman in a business suit appeared, her gaze sweeping over Claire Kendall.

"The Second Miss said it’s chilly at night and sent me to take you to put on a jacket."

Claire Kendall instinctively pulled the little boy closer. "Bobby, do you know this lady?"

Bobby blinked and nodded. "Yes, I do. This is Mommy’s secretary, Ms. Lowe."

"Then go ahead. Get your jacket on."

Bobby hesitated, looking at the secretary, then back at Claire Kendall, his small hand tugging at the hem of her dress.

"But Uncle told me to protect you..."

"I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere," Claire Kendall promised.

The secretary led the little boy away, then brought Claire Kendall a bowl of sour plum drink.

"Ms. Kendall, this sour plum drink can help sober you up. Please, have some."

Claire Kendall didn’t think much of it and drank most of it. The sweet and sour taste spread across her tongue, along with a hint of astringency.

The night wind grew colder, but the feverish heat inside Claire Kendall’s body didn’t lessen one bit. Instead, it intensified.

Her heartbeat began to speed up, and her vision started to blur.

"Ms. Kendall, you don’t look well. Shall I help you to a guest room to rest?"

Claire Kendall shuddered and took half a step back, holding onto a corridor pillar for support.

"No, thank you. I’ll just wait for Bobby here..."

She dug her nails fiercely into her palms, trying to use the pain to stay conscious.

She wanted to run, but her legs felt as if they were filled with lead—heavy and unresponsive, refusing to obey her.

From the darkness, two burly, fierce-looking men emerged, lecherous smiles on their faces.

"So this is the chick they got for us?"

"She’s a real firecracker! Stop wasting time. Let’s get this done."

The two men grabbed Claire Kendall’s arms.

"Get away..." she cried, but a hand clamped over her mouth.

A moment later, Bobby came scampering back on his short legs, panting as he hugged an adult-sized jacket.

"Fairy Princess! I’m back! Look, I brought you a jacket too..."

His excited, childlike voice died abruptly.

The spot under the garden light was empty.

The Fairy Princess he had promised to protect was gone.

"WAAAH—"

Bobby burst into loud sobs, turned, and ran toward the banquet hall, his face a mess of tears and snot.

The banquet hall was bustling with noise and activity.

When Miles Warren saw Bobby rush in crying, without Claire Kendall, his brow furrowed.

"Uncle! Waaah..."

Bobby threw himself into his arms, crying so hard he couldn’t catch his breath.

"The Fairy Princess is gone! She’s not under the light... I can’t find her... *sob*... I didn’t protect her..."

Miles Warren swept Bobby up into his arms, his expression instantly turning frighteningly cold.

"Where did you last see her? Tell me slowly."

"By the swings in the back garden! Ms. Lowe took me to put on my coat, and when I came back, she was gone!"

Bobby sobbed, utterly heartbroken.

’Ms. Lowe? Maya’s secretary.’

’Looks like she’s one of Victor’s people.’

In the west wing of the old Warren family residence, Claire Kendall was roughly dragged into a guest room.

Her body was slammed onto the hard floor, and she let out a muffled groan of pain.

The man locked the door behind him, his eyes glued to Claire Kendall, and began to unbutton his clothes.

"Get away... Don’t touch me." Claire Kendall scrambled backward.

A man’s sneer echoed in the dark room.

"As if you have a choice?"

A hand shot out, grabbing the collar of her dress and ripping it violently.

The sound of tearing fabric was sharp and clear.

"Someone paid good money for your virginity. You’re not getting away."

"So you might as well play along, suffer a little less, and have some real fun with the two of us!"

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