《His Forbidden Mistress》全部章節：第 71 章 - 第 80 章

Vanessa’s POVThe afternoon sun felt warm on my skin as I stepped out of the high-end boutique on Fifth Avenue with shopping bags swinging from both of my hands. The new designer dress, matching heels, and that ridiculously expensive handbag had cost a small fortune. The kind money I didn’t technically have, but Daniel’s transfer had come through yesterday, and I intended to enjoy every cent. After all, he owed me for the humiliation he’d caused. I adjusted my dress with a feeling of a rush of satisfaction. Life had been a mess lately down from that con artist boyfriend who had cleaned me out and vanished into the thin air but I was bouncing back with new clothes, fresh makeup, and the promise of crashing at Daniel’s penthouse soon enough. He could pretend to be done with me, but men like him always came around when I turned on the tears.I adjusted my oversized sunglasses and flipped my hair over my shoulder, with a satisfied smile playing on my lips.New clothes and designer shoes a

Vanessa’s POVThe black car came to a stop in front of my apartment building, the engine purring out quietly. Victor Crane didn’t say a word as I clutched my shopping bags with trembling hands and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The moment my heels touched the pavement, the tinted window rolled down just enough for me to see Crane’s cold, calculating eyes one last time.“Remember what I said, Vanessa,” he spoke quietly, his voice carrying the weight of death. “If you refuse to pick up my calls or try to run, I will find you. And when I do, I won’t be this polite. I’ll kill you and make sure your body disappears. Do not test me.”The window rolled back up with a soft mechanical sound as the car pulled away smoothly, disappearing around the corner. I stood frozen on the sidewalk for a while, my heart beating so violently I thought it might burst through my chest. My throat still burned from where his fingers had squeezed earlier.I rushed inside the building, barely acknowledging the door

Daniel’s POVI had been gone since dawn, chasing down a last-minute business deal that required my personal signature. The entire morning had been long with endless meetings, numbers, and cold calculations, but my mind kept drifting back to her. Serena. The woman who had somehow managed to crawl under my skin and stay there.When I finally returned, the penthouse smelled of fresh food and feminine laughter. I stepped into the open kitchen area and froze.Serena was there.She stood near the island, laughing at something Lila had just said, her head thrown back slightly, her eyes sparkling with genuine joy. She wore a simple white top and soft shorts that hugged her curves in the most sexy way. Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulder. She looked radiant. Alive. And I realized with a sharp reminder that I hadn’t seen her since I left early this morning. I just stood there, completely lost for a moment, drinking her in like a man dying of thirst. This was the moment he realized

Vanessa’s POVThe line went dead as Daniel hung up on me.For a moment, I felt the world stop spinning. I stood frozen in the middle of my luxurious apartment, with my phone still pressed to my ear like an opportunity that had just been severed. Then the rage hit me –hot, blinding, and all-consuming.“You bastard!” I screamed, throwing the phone across the room with every ounce of strength I had. It smashed against the marble wall, shattering into pieces like my shattered pride. “How dare you?! After everything I gave you? You fucking treat me like I’m some cheap whore and then cut me off?!”I screamed as tears streamed down my face as I paced the living room. My hands shook uncontrollably. As Fear clawed at my throat, mixing with the anger until I could barely breathe. Victor Crane’s icy threat still echoed in my head with his fingers wrapped around my neck, his cold promise to make me disappear if I didn’t obey him. And now Daniel, the one man I thought I could always fall back on,

Daniel’s POVThe study was my fortress for now with dim lighting, heavy oak desk, and the city glittering far below like a kingdom I had fought to conquer. I sat reviewing encrypted reports on Victor Crane’s movements, but my mind kept drifting back to Serena. The way she had teased me earlier, the fire in her eyes, the way her body had trembled against mine. She was becoming more than a possession. She was becoming necessary to me every time and every day.A soft knock broke the silence.I didn’t look up as I responded. “Come in.”The door opened as heels clicked across the marble floor with a familiar confidence and sound. I glanced up quickly and froze.Elena Hawthorne stood in the doorway.All dressed elegantly in a tailored black coat, her dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, she looked very cool and so beautiful. I tried to hide the surprise, but it still showed across my face before I could stop it. Elena’s lips curved into a knowing, slightly teasing smile as she opened her