Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Does the Photo Look Good?

Claire Kendall’s fingers tightened, but her expression remained perfectly calm.

"Billions... even if you beat me to death, I can’t cover a hole that big."

"What project did you get scammed on? First, let’s see if we can get the money back."

Howard Kendall’s expression was grim. "A medical R&D project. The person who connected me was the daughter of the director of Aethel General Hospital! With connections that powerful, how could this happen...?"

Claire Kendall cut him off. "Was it Rosalind Linden?"

"Yes, exactly! How did you know?"

Claire’s eyes glinted with sarcasm. "You were scammed. This whole investment was a trap she set just for you, from start to finish."

Howard Kendall’s pupils contracted.

She explained, "Rosalind Linden is in love with Miles Warren and sees me as a thorn in her side. She wanted to ruin me, so she targeted your company."

"You... It was because of you? You’re a curse!"

Howard Kendall raised his hand to slap her.

Claire stood her ground. Not only did she not flinch, she took two subtle steps forward.

She tilted her head slightly. A vicious, heavy-handed slap scraped past her jaw and across her neck, leaving a startling red mark.

The flesh on Howard Kendall’s face quivered with rage.

She slowly turned her head back. "This is exactly what Rosalind Linden wants to see."

"She’s already slept with Miles Warren. My situation is difficult enough as it is. If you go spouting nonsense to him, we’ll truly lose everything."

Howard Kendall was breathing heavily. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"I’ll go to Miles and see what I can do." Claire sighed. "I just never thought Rosalind Linden would be so cunning. We walked right into her trap."

"Cunning? Heh. That little wench!" Howard Kendall clenched his fists, his eyes turning cold and sinister.

"If she really pushes me over the edge, I’ll destroy her reputation!"

Claire stared at him, her gaze darkening.

-

「Regency Gardens.」

Claire finished her shower and slipped into a loose silk nightgown.

She picked up her phone, switched to the front-facing camera, and took a selfie.

A slip-style nightgown, and she was wearing nothing underneath.

Her delicate collarbones were exposed, a hint of cleavage visible. On her long, pale neck, the warm light made the red mark stand out even more starkly.

She studied the photo, then posted it to her social feed.

Caption: "The calm after the storm."

Then she set the post’s visibility: Miles Warren only.

Less than five minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

Claire raised a knowing eyebrow, walked to the door, and glanced through the peephole.

She opened the door.

Miles Warren stood outside, his hair slightly disheveled. He wore a set of dark gray loungewear and held a first-aid kit in his right hand.

She leaned against the doorframe, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Dr. Warren, so late. Do you need something?"

Miles’s gaze swept over her. The hem of the nightgown barely reached the tops of her thighs, and its two straps were so thin they were almost invisible.

His eyes locked onto her neck. "You’re hurt. I’m here to treat it." He started to step inside.

Claire blocked him with a slender arm, her voice languid.

"Dr. Warren, you just turned down my offer to give myself to you. Now, in the dead of night, you want to come into my apartment? An unmarried man and woman, all alone... That’s not very appropriate, is it?"

Miles didn’t say a word. His gaze was so intense it made her feel a little insecure.

She dropped her arm and huffed. "Fine. Come in."

She sank onto the sofa, lounging casually with her legs slightly bent. One strap slid off her shoulder, and the already skimpy nightgown now concealed even less.

She tilted her chin up at Miles, her voice thick with suggestion.

"Come on. I won’t fight back. You can do whatever you want with me, Dr. Warren..."

Miles ignored her. He straightened her head, unwrapped an iodine swab, and began gently dabbing at her wound.

His touch was gentle, but his voice was deep and serious.

"How did this happen?"

Claire’s long lashes fluttered. She told him a half-truth.

"It was Howard Kendall. He got scammed on an investment, his company went bankrupt, and he demanded I give him money."

Miles’s fingers, holding the swab, tightened. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

He said decisively, "I’ll have my people handle it."

"There’s no need. He has nothing on me. I can’t be threatened by him, and I’m certainly not giving him any money."

Claire’s tone was light, but her eyes darkened involuntarily.

"Howard Kendall is just a cornered dog. He’ll spout nonsense and try to smear my name, but that’s all he can do. I’m not afraid."

"Let him say what he wants. As long as you don’t believe him, Dr. Warren, everything will be fine."

She watched him intently, scrutinizing his reaction, her breath catching in her throat.

Miles nodded, letting out a soft "Mm."

"I understand. I won’t believe him."

"Good~"

Claire finally relaxed, breathing a silent sigh of relief.

Her voice softened as she scooted closer, pressing against him.

"But, Dr. Warren... are you keeping a close eye on my social feed?"

"Just a coincidence." Miles applied a bandage, then paused, speaking with some difficulty.

"Don’t post things like that again."

’So white... so soft... it’s dizzying.’

She chuckled. "So, was it a nice photo?"

Miles didn’t answer.

She sat up, kneeling on the sofa, and leaned in closer to him.

"Actually, that post... was only visible to you."

The move was cliché, but it was enough to make the tips of Miles’s ears flush red and his body temperature climb.

He shot to his feet. "All done."

Her fingers trailed down his arm. "Thank you, Dr. Warren. In that case, would you like to stay tonight and... do..."

Before she could utter the last word, Miles grabbed the first-aid kit and walked out.

For once, the man had lost his usual composure.

Watching his flustered retreat, the sting of his earlier rejection completely vanished.

She pulled her strap back onto her shoulder and padded back to her bedroom, barefoot and completely satisfied.

Throughout the night, Miles took three cold showers and barely slept a wink.

’Whenever he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with the image of her in that red slip dress.’

’Was she beautiful?’

’Drop-dead gorgeous. So beautiful he wanted to ravage her, to possess every inch of her... ’

Early the next morning, Howard Kendall called Claire again to ask for an update.

She had already given Miles a heads-up, so she wasn’t afraid, even if her father decided to burn everything to the ground.

She put on a pitiful act. "Just give me a little more time. Rosalind Linden is being incredibly difficult."

This was her standard line every time he called.

After dealing with Howard Kendall, Claire got busy finding a location for Moonstone Studio. She had to start over from scratch after leaving Sinclair Group.

「A week later.」

Claire went to the hospital to visit her mother. Shirley Kendall had been moved from the ICU to a general ward.

Shirley was sitting up in bed, still looking frail.

"Claire, darling, don’t you worry. Mom’s fine now. Dr. Warren says I’m recovering wonderfully."

"That’s right. It would be a terrible shame if you didn’t recover well, considering your daughter got that kidney by seducing a man, wouldn’t it?"

Rosalind Linden walked in, slapping a stack of reports down on the bedside table.

"What... what is the meaning of this?" Shirley Kendall asked, growing agitated.

"Oh, you didn’t know, ma’am? That kidney of yours... your daughter got it by hooking up with Dr. Warren. Ms. Kendall is so filial. She’d even sell herself cheap to save her mother’s life."

Rosalind stepped forward, shooting a disdainful glance at Claire. Her tone dripped with contempt.

"But then again, Miles and I are childhood sweethearts. Why would he ever be interested in trash like you? He’s only paying attention to you because you’re a temporary novelty."

"I’m the one who charitably let you have your mother’s life. You should be on your knees begging me, not shamelessly clinging to my man!"

Still recovering from her major illness, Shirley began to tremble uncontrollably.

"Claire... is what she’s saying... is it true?"

Rosalind placed a hand on her stomach, looking insufferably smug.

"Claire Kendall, I’d advise you to know your place. This time, you can’t compete with me anymore."

"After all, my belly—has really come through for me."

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