C16 You Want to Go with Him

Juno was far from naive enough to believe that Zorin was actually interested in her. He simply saw her as a toy to play with, driven by his twisted and excessive need to possess.

On the way to the restaurant, Thayer received an unexpected academic call that pulled him away. He offered Juno an apologetic glance, promising to make it up to her with another meal some other time.

Feeling a sense of dread, Juno didn't even have the chance to ask to leave the car before Zorin ruthlessly yanked her into the passenger seat. "You want to go with him?"

Zorin locked the doors with a press of the car keys, his smile still present but devoid of any previous warmth.

It wasn't until they arrived at a secluded parking lot that he finally stopped the car and coldly repeated his question, "You want to go with him?"

"I just haven't finished my speech," Juno steadied herself.

But Zorin ripped away any pretense. He leaned back the driver's seat and effortlessly pulled Juno's hair toward him.

"Don't look so terrified, as if you've seen a ghost. You seemed to enjoy yourself in my bed. Why so demure in front of him?" Zorin's eyes were icy. "Understand your place. Don't fool yourself into thinking you can climb any social ladder. Keep your distance from the Slater family."

Juno winced from the pain in her scalp. "I didn't! Let go!"

"Didn't you? Your eyes tell a different story when you look at him," Zorin said with a sneer, anger swirling with the coldness in his gaze. "Stick to what you're here for and don't dream of changing your stripes. Once lowly, always lowly!"

"Director Slater, rest assured, I have no intention of clinging to the Slater family, nor do I harbor any delusions of turning the tables before you," Juno retorted, her gaze defiant despite the pain. "Don't assume everyone is as sordid as you believe. Our relationship is nothing more than that of a client and a call girl."

"Are you suggesting I'm overstepping?" Zorin leaned in close, his whisper intimate as if between lovers. "Shouldn't a call girl greet her client with a smile after being paid? How do you expect to welcome customers with such a lifeless expression?"

"Don't you think you're worrying too much, Director Slater?"

Zorin's laugh was a hoarse and deep rumble. "Too much? People like Miss Fowler are inscrutable to me. Who's to say she won't stab me in the back one day? After all, a whore has no heart, and a playboy has no honor."

His words lingered with an intriguing tone. Juno averted her gaze, concealing her emotions.

If she had a choice, she would indeed relish the opportunity to do just that—to escape this lunatic.

But she was well aware of Zorin's background and status; it was merely a fleeting thought.

"Director Slater, you're giving me too much credit. How could someone of my standing ever have the chance to betray you? I know my place. I can only hope you'll spare me."

"Spare you?" Zorin drew her into his embrace. "I've never been one to let go of anything I desire, especially not a person. Miss Fowler, do you truly lack confidence in your allure?"

"As I've said, I'm someone who understands the situation." Juno tried to create some distance between them, but to her surprise, he held her even closer.

Pressed against him, she could distinctly smell his scent, and looking up, she was met with his strikingly handsome features.

Juno's heartbeat faltered, and she instinctively looked away.