Chapter 24: Locked in the Dark Room

"Henry, my brother, what's the matter? Got your eye on our Red Spider?" Abner asked, noticing Henry's fixation on Red Spider without responding to him.

Reminded by this, Henry recalled his purpose for being there. Narrowing his phoenix eyes, he approached "Red Spider" and touched her chin, "Red Spider, as the name suggests, alluring yet venomous. But I wonder, can you live up to this title?"

"Red Spider," who had been eyeing Henry from the beginning, immediately responded with a seductive smile upon his flirtation. However, "Scar Three" discreetly held her back, knowing Henry's reputation for being a philanderer; he couldn't just watch them flirt blatantly.

"Red Spider" became anxious internally. Why was "Scar Three" acting this way? Wasn't Red Spider known for her flirtatious nature, and Scar Three not supposed to care much? Wasn't he risking blowing their cover?

"Red Spider" pinched "Scar Three" sharply, signaling him not to overstep lest they both give themselves away. "Scar Three" reluctantly let go.

Her delicate, pale arm reached for Henry's chest, "Henry, your fame is widespread, and I've long admired you."

"Oh? What fame might that be?"

"Of course, the fame of passing through a field of flowers without a leaf sticking. That's the fame," "Red Spider" laughed, her soft hand reaching behind Henry's sensitive ear.

Their breaths mingled, bringing "Red Spider's" scent directly to Henry, who found it odd for a moment that she bore no trace of the common air of frivolity, her eyes clean and free of dust.

That moment passed quickly as "Red Spider" began to weave her "poisonous net" around him. "How is Henry not reacting? Is my charm not enough? Quite demoralizing."

There was no doubting the allure and enchantment in her expression. Henry was taken aback, wondering if that instant of cleanliness was an illusion.

"How could I not? Let me show you around properly." He then turned to Abner, "Big brother Jin, I've prepared a welcome banquet for you at the top floor. Would you honor us with your presence?"

Abner chuckled and stood up, responding, "Then I thank you!"

"Scar Three" clenched his fists in frustration but respectfully stepped aside. The mission had failed, and any further action would only alarm Abner, potentially endangering "Red Spider" and their other brothers.

"Red Spider" continued to smile seductively as they were escorted by Henry to the elevator and ascended to the top floor.

In the VIP elevator with only Henry, "Red Spider," and Abner, the atmosphere was eerily quiet until Abner spoke, "Brother He, how did you know I'd be here today and even prepared a banquet on the top floor for me? Today, of all days, we might have police intrusion. Knowing my whereabouts necessitates suspicion..."

"Red Spider" internally panicked, suspecting the cunning and suspicious nature of Abner had been aroused towards Henry and them.

However, Henry simply smiled, "To not hide, this Zui Sheng Meng Si Bar is my property. I may not pay much attention to others, but for Big Brother Jin, of course, I'd be informed."

"Ah, so that's it!" Abner laughed.

"Red Spider" seized the opportunity to flatter, "No wonder this bar has such an elegant atmosphere, different from the usual noisy ones. It turns out to be Henry's property."

Henry chuckled, offering no response.

Exiting the elevator, Sophia realized this was her chance to leave and quickly made an excuse, "Henry and the big boss should have a few drinks first; I'll join you soon."

Henry smiled and released her waist, but Abner watched her with a dangerous look.

"Red Spider" quickly disappeared into the restroom corridor, relieved for a temporary escape from her guise.

Abner's reputation as a cunning fox wasn't baseless. His surveillance and bodyguards outnumbered their police team significantly. And they had not anticipated that the Zui Sheng Meng Si Bar belonged to Henry. The mission had failed, but hopefully, her senior brother and the rest wouldn't act rashly, or they might not escape unscathed.

Sophia was startled to find Leo waiting outside the restroom, obviously there for her.

"If I hadn't come here, what would you have done next? Go in and dine with those two men, then share a delightful night? Or perhaps, the man with three scars on his face is your true love. I never imagined your talent for flirting would be so astonishing, yet why do you act like a stubborn log only in front of me?" Leo said, pinching her chin, his deep eyes filled with anger.

In his furious state, even Leo's facial lines seemed sharper. Sophia had no doubt that if her answer displeased him, his grip on her chin might move to her neck.

"It's all business partners; I was just playing the role," Sophia could only offer such a feeble excuse. Any more words might betray their cover.

Sophia recalled the time when she boldly entered his room, and though he pressed her for answers, he eventually didn't persist, seemingly indifferent to her identity.

And his recent interrogation indicated he was still unaware of her true self, prompting her to risk a flimsy excuse.

He could've approached her anytime, yet he chose the moment when she was trying to slip away, evidently watching her closely and seemingly uninterested in confronting Abner and Henry.

Leo scoffed, dismissing her lies, "Your lies are deteriorating."

Feeling guilty and scared, Sophia was about to search for another excuse when she sensed that watched feeling again, possibly from Abner's or Henry's men.

"Can we go back and settle this? Now..."

Before she could finish, Leo firmly shut her up, "Do you think you're in any position to negotiate?"

Sophia's eyes began to sting. She indeed had no leverage.

"Please, can we go back first?" she implored, grabbing his arm.

It was the second time she humbly begged him, feeling her already scant self-respect crumble further.

Yet, what else could she do? He was like her bane, increasingly terrifying.

Leo, disgusted, shook off her hand, threw his coat to the ground with disdain, and then glared fiercely at her.

Sophia watched, her self-esteem trampled again, interpreting his reaction as revulsion. It was natural for a man to feel anger when his woman flirted with others, but Sophia felt not just humiliation but also heartache.

"Aren't you leaving?" Leo had walked far but, not hearing footsteps behind, stopped to rush the woman he wished he could strangle.

Engulfed in humiliation and heartache, Sophia hadn't realized Leo had moved. Hearing his urging, she quickly followed.

Hadn't he been pressing her aggressively just moments ago? How could he let her off so swiftly?

Sophia soon found out she had been naive.

Upon returning home, Leo dragged her into the bathroom for a thorough wash, as though wishing to scrub her skin off.

"Don't dawdle, strip!" Leo commanded impatiently.

Under his persistently angry gaze, Sophia shamefully removed her clothes. Only then did he order, "Wash!"

Sophia wanted to ask him to leave, but remembered she had no right to make demands.

After over an hour of relentless scrubbing, Leo finally turned off the shower.

Getting dressed in the dressing room, Sophia felt a sliver of relief that Leo hadn't driven her away, sparing her brother's life; thankfully, his disgust meant he wouldn't force himself on her.

Little did Sophia expect Leo to lock her in a dark room.

"Master, this is not advisable. If the old master finds out, he would be devastated," Kyle urged frantically.

Leo glared at Kyle, his look sending a chill down Kyle's spine, silencing any further objections.

Without a glance at the person inside, Leo coldly closed the door to the dark room.

Sophia was suddenly enveloped in darkness, the silence broken only by her heartbeat. She walked forward, feeling for the wall, then crouched down, burying her head in her knees.

That night, city B celebrated the return of the third young master of the He family, turning into a sea of joy. The reason being, Henry, a superstar who disappeared for two years, announced his return to the entertainment industry, sending his hardcore fans into frenzy.

A grand concert held in city B's largest stadium had many fans in tears at the sight of Henry on stage.

Sunny cried with excitement, unable to believe she could see him again. Both she and many fans around her, who had seen the news of his return and got tickets for the concert, were in disbelief, even at the venue, doubting Henry would truly appear.

But he did.

Dressed in boots, tight black pants, and a red leather jacket adorned with black and gold embroidery, he danced and sang. Sunny, having spent two months securing a ticket, was right at the front, capturing every move of the person on stage.

He had grown more handsome, shedding his former youthful innocence for mature allure and dominance. His phoenix eyes electrified the crowd, causing a frenzy of screams.

Sunny didn't scream; she just kept her eyes fixed on the stage, not wanting to miss a second.