Chapter 1723

Adrian let out a disdainful snort, his eyes gleaming with menace. "What if she's here of her own free will?" Hobart scoffed, keeping his voice steady. "If your idea of 'voluntary' involves surrounding her with bodyguards and locking her inside, then what does consent even mean?" Adrian's patience waned. He turned to Ursula and beckoned her with a gentle wave of his hand. "Come here." Ursula's hands curled slightly at her sides. After a moment's hesitation, she stepped forward to stand beside him. Adrian shifted his position, ensuring she stood just right to block Hobart's view. He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his palm gliding along her cheek. His voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable weight—an invisible pressure that enveloped her. "Kiss me." It was both a command and a warning. Though he said nothing more, Ursula understood all too well the consequences of defying him. Adrian took a step back, his smile seemingly innocent, but only Ursula recognized the