"Ella!"

At the doorway, Austin had been calling for quite some tíme. Ella. her head aching from the incessant noise,reluctantly rose from bed and went to open the door.

Groggily,she reached for the doorknob, but the moment the door opened,Austin thrust her back onto the bed. Step by step, she retreated until she collapsed onto the mattress, only to find herself ensnared by his arms encircling her waist like an inescapable prison.

Bound and immobile, Ella sought to break free, yet Austin unabashedly ravaged her body. Those very hands, which ought to be commanding commercial empires and managing stock equity, were now utterly dominated by the contours of her form.

His touch was alternately tender and enticing, as if both caressing and pleasuring her simultaneously. Austin possessed an acute awareness of her triggers of desire. With but the slightest touch, her legs trembled uncontrollably.

Ella could not discern the cause, her narrowed eyes lingering on the dimming light, as shivers coursed through her body, and a tingling sensation crept across her scalp.

She tilted her face upward to the flickering ceiling light, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, as resistance seemed impossibly lodged upon her tongue.

So much time had passed; it was difficult for Ella not to succumb to desire.for Austin sought to bring her to climax again and again, each time

deepening her longing.

Her passion was summoned mostly by, Austin's touch; with closed eyes,her lower abdomen contracted and trembled.

"Enjoying it, aren't you?" His voice, ghostlike and murmurous, whispered into her ear.

He pressed his body closer, the warmth radiating from him intoxicating her senses. Helpless, she yielded, the sharp line of her jaw rising as her slender swan-like neck curved gracefully.

His Adam's apple shifted subtly. Austin remained insistent in his fervent kiss.

"Wasn't it you who said my technique was lacking?" His intoxicating voice next to her ear teased and provoked.

Ella involuntarily clutched the bedsheet, her chest rising and falling as she drew a deep, trembling breath; her voice husky, she murmured, "Stop,"

"That's all it takes?"

Austin's gaze fell upon the silver sheen between her legs, where dampness had suffused the sheets.

Her long legs drew slightly together, only to be forcibly parted as Austin seized her waist and began to penetrate her gradually.

Reflected on the glass window were entwined shadows, bare and intimate.

The following day, Ella awoke to find Austin absent by the window,as though the previous night had been naught but a fleeting dream, a mere figment of her imagination.

He indulged himself and discarded her like refuse.

Ella found the irony unbearable. She, a mere jester, toyed with at whim.summoned and dismissed at pleasure.

Soon she arrived at work, taking the elevator to the R&D department,she promptly clocked in, having spent extra time beforehand concealing the kiss marks on her neck beneath a thick layer of foundation.

Upon entering the department. Marshall immediately confronted her."

What exactly are you playing at? What charming lies did you spin to coerce Judith into altering the project? Why are you so eager to steal credit?"

But when had she ever coveted Judith's achievements?

"Marshall, you must speak with proof. You instructed me to finalize that project proposal and hand it to Mr. Castillo. After revisions, Mr. Castillo was satisfied, yet you accuse me of stealing credit. So, whether I do the work or not. I'm to blame,correct?"

Ella,fed up,glared at him.

Marshall was rendered speechless, utterly silenced.

Not out to trap Marshall, Ella turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

She offered no reply, striding onward steadfastly.

"Ella, what exactly is it that you want?"

Intent on clarifying matters with Royce. Ella, burdened with resentment.reached the office only to find a crowd blocking the entrance.Judith wept

amidst their comforting embrace, their gazes transformed into fierce hostility upon seeing her.

Drawing a deep breath, Ella felt asthough she were some heinous villain.Yet she had done nothing wrong.

Entering the office, Royce regarded her gravely and said, "Ella,this is not your fault."

"Mr. Castillo, the project Judith painstakingly developed was handed to Ella. What ability does Ella possess? Does she even comprehend the project? Anyone would weep to see their labor transformned like this.Yet you dismiss it lightly. Isn't that excessive?" Furious, Peter reassured Judith while glaring at Royce with accusation.

Royce's expression darkened instantly. He slammed his palm on the desk,his voice cold and commanding, "What are you insinuating?"

Peter found himself tongue-tied.

"Peter, don't presume that your tenure here grants you carte blanche.I warn you, this company heeds no one but me; you and Judith are merely employees, treated equally as Ella. If you have issues, pack up and go home."

Royce had no patience for Judith's tearful protests. The design department was oblivious to the myriad problems inherent in Judith's project. Should any misfortune befall that venture,to whom would he answer?

He had wagered tens of millions on that single undertaking. These rabble clustered protectively around a crying woman, their sympathies misplaced.

"Mr. Castillo. I simply believe Ella is utterly unworthy of staying in this

company."

"Yes, aside from leveraging her body to advance, she has no merits whatsoever. What purpose does such a person serve here?”

The crowd voiced unanimous support for Judith.

Struggling to speak. Judith rubbed her reddened eyes,sniffling,"Mr.Castillo, I mean no offense. I just think this is unfair. If you think the project is flawed. I am willing to revise it myself. Why hand over my hard work to Ella?"

Royce rubbed his temple, an exasperated smile creeping over his lips.

Suddenly,the phone rang.

Royce promptly answered it.