It had been over a month since Perry Jerome joined forces with Nina Oakley to work together in separating Lilian Asienwegher from Derek Russell. Nina knew the origin of the twins but dared not mention it, because she was the same as them. She understood that their kind—wolf shifters—were largely unaccepted by humans, and only a rare few would tolerate their race. So she advised Perry to return to his country, making others lower their guard, while she watched the situation closely, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Perry, on the other hand, still hadn't found any woman who could satisfy his desires. His frustration grew daily, and impatience consumed him.
---
He stepped out of the bathroom, his tall, slender frame wrapped in a white bathrobe. His hard chest was exposed, pubic hairs visible, while he dried his wet hair with a towel. Soon, his phone rang. Casually glancing at the caller ID, his eyes lit up. He quickly pressed the receive button, sat lazily on the bed with one foot on the floor, his back resting against the headboard.
"Hello, Miss Oakley," he said.
Perry's eyes sparkled as he listened to the update from the other end of the call. He nodded seriously. "Sure! I'm in full support of that. Yes, send the video now and leave it to me. Okay, I'll leave Lilian to your watch. Alarm me as soon as she is alone. Alright, I'll wait for your good news."
The call ended. Perry sprang up from the bed, screaming in excitement, "Yea…h!" His voice echoed like someone who had just won a jackpot lottery.
He quickly opened his phone gallery, scrolling to one of his favorite photos of Lilian. He kissed it crazily, whispering, "Lee, you will finally be mine forever! I will protect you, cherish you, and love you. I will never let you feel sad, okay? Just be obedient and stay with me. Believe me, Lee, I will pamper you."
He gloated, chattering to himself, giddy with expectation.
---
A knock came at the door. Perry shouted, excitement obvious in his tone, "Come in!"
Fred Colton walked into the bedroom, watching as Perry happily moved to the small dining table. Perry poured wine into a goblet, sat elegantly on the edge of the table, and sipped expectantly, waiting for Fred's report.
Fred took a breath, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "Mr. Perry, we found out the real identity of the imposter."
Perry raised his eyes at Fred, showing little interest, and slowly took another sip.
Fred continued, "It's Miss Asienwegher's cousin. But she said she would rather die than fall into your hands. She jumped into the sea, and her body was found—but some parts were missing."
Perry looked surprised for a moment, then dismissively waved his hand, hissing, "Then she is lucky."
Fred remained standing, instead of leaving.
---
Perry looked at him curiously. "What else do you have to say?"
Fred, feeling the pressure of expectation, ruffled his head nervously. Perry frowned impatiently. "If you don't know what to say, then leave!"
Fred cleared his throat. "Miss Asienwegher is the Kimberly family's young miss."
Perry jolted in fright, his eyes wide. "How did it happen?" He stood stupefied, staring at Fred, whispering loud enough for him to hear.
Fred sighed, shaking his head in dismay, and briefed Perry on the information he had gathered about Lilian's origin.
Perry angrily slammed the goblet down on the shining glass floor, shattering it into pieces. Fred shivered but didn't move, watching as shards flew toward him, one even stinging into his trouser. He took a deep breath, calming himself, waiting for instructions.
Perry threw tantrums, ranting crazily. "No! No way! Not now, when I'll have Lilian Asienwegher willingly walk into my arms!" He paused, breathing heavily, then turned to Fred.
"Fred!"
"Yes, boss," Fred answered immediately.
Perry warned, "Do whatever it takes to make the Kimberly family believe their Lilian was the one who drowned."
Fred stood stupefied for a moment, about to speak, when Perry's phone rang.
Ignoring Fred, Perry quickly picked up the call. Fred wisely and quietly walked out of the room.
---
Perry saw a message from Nina Oakley's assistant. It read:
Mr. Jerome, Miss Asienwegher just parted ways with Mr. Derek and is heading to her office. My lady said I should relay her words to you: "Hope this is the last time we communicate, and our deal ends here."
Perry smiled, nodding as he burst out laughing, shaking his head happily. "Oh my, my, my! Lilian, my love, let's start counting down to when you will come to me."
He quickly sent her a video call request.
---
Meanwhile, Lilian was depressed and worked up, pacing in her office. She had just arrived, but Elsie Clinton was nowhere to be seen—neither in the office nor around the company. Lilian frowned slightly. It was strange. Elsie was never late, not even by a minute. Yet the secretary said she hadn't come or called.
Lilian's mind raced, thinking of possible reasons why Elsie's phone was unreachable and why she hadn't arrived. Each scenario she imagined, she shook her head. Finally, she thought of the most terrible possibility. Trembling, she nearly stumbled, collapsing heavily into her seat, lost in thought.
Ever since Avery Macdonald deceived her and delivered her to Perry Jerome to pay off her debt, Lilian had grown suspicious of everything.
She shook her head in denial, refusing to think of it. But what she dreaded was already coming true.
---
Just as she tried to distract herself with work, her phone rang. Thinking it must be Elsie, she didn't bother checking the number. She quickly pressed the receive button.
Her hands trembled violently, nearly dropping the phone, when Perry Jerome's face appeared on the screen.
The phone suddenly felt heavier than tons.
Perry watched her expression, feeling a pang in his chest. But he pretended not to care, reminding himself that the only way to get Lilian back now was the hard way. Once he had her, he would pamper her.
He took a deep breath, smiled coldly, and said, "We meet again, my love."
Lilian shook her head, her lips quivering. "You've abducted Elsie!"
Perry sniffed a chuckle, his eyes filled with emotion. "This is one of the reasons I can't stop loving you, my love. You're too smart."
He played a video of Elsie, bound tightly, unable to move.
---
Lilian's heart broke. She had dragged Elsie into her troubles, careless in focusing only on protecting herself. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Perry.
"Perry, why are you doing this?" she sobbed bitterly.
Perry shrugged nonchalantly. "You know exactly what I want, love. And if I don't get it in seven hours, I'll auction her in the market."
Lilian already knew this was what Perry would do. But hearing it aloud made her shiver uncontrollably.