Chapter200 -Meet Zachary
The room grew hot, her soft whimpers filling the air as her body melted under his. For a moment, she thought—this was it. Tonight, they would finally cross that line.
But at the last moment, Atticus stilled. His breathing ragged, he straightened her clothes, then pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Sleep,” he murmured.
Clarissa looked up at him, startled.
“You’re exhausted,” he said softly. “Rest. I’ll stay with you.”
Her eyes burned with sudden warmth. Moved beyond words, she lowered her gaze. Fatigue claimed her, and she drifted into sleep in his arms.
Atticus lay awake, staring at her face in the dim light. His emotions churned, dark and conflicted.
She was falling for him—that much was clear. She was falling for the boy she thought he was: bright, ambitious, gentle, dependable. The version of himself he had crafted for her.
But if she knew the real him… would she still look at him with those same tender eyes?
The question gnawed at him. Instead of satisfaction, his desire only sharpened, clawing deeper into him.
He hated the feeling of losing control. But one truth remained—he could never let her go.
So he held her tightly, while she slept peacefully against him. And he stayed awake the entire night, consumed by thoughts he couldn’t quiet.
The next morning, when Clarissa woke, the space beside her was already empty.
With the company shut down, boredom weighed on her. Atticus had told her not to leave the estate, so she wandered the vast grounds of Wraith Manor instead.
The place was massive—after nearly an hour she hadn’t even managed a quarter of it.
Delilah spotted her looking listless, and her eyes lit up. “Right! Let’s go see Kitty!”
Clarissa gave her a helpless look, half-expecting the girl just wanted an excuse to play. Still, she smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
Delilah immediately grabbed her hand, all but bouncing with excitement as she pulled her toward the back hills.
Phoenix had purchased the entire stretch of hills for her two beasts—Abyss and Xiaobai—so they’d have room to roam. Delilah cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted as soon as they reached the clearing.
“Kitty! Abyss!”
Two enormous shapes bolted toward them in response.
Even though she’d seen it many times, Clarissa still froze as the massive predators bounded closer. And this time, it was Abyss heading straight for her.
The female leopard launched herself forward, knocking Clarissa flat onto the grass before attacking her face with rough, frantic licks.
The animal’s tongue was covered with tiny barbs, each swipe leaving Clarissa tingling, itchy, and just a little stung. She shoved at the broad, powerful head through her laughter.
“Yes, yes—I missed you too!”
Her arms circled Abyss’s neck, pulling the leopard into a clumsy embrace.
Abyss had a notoriously bad temper—nothing like Xiaobai’s gentle obedience—but for some reason, she adored Clarissa. Nobody else could get close, not even Atticus. Only Phoenix and Clarissa were tolerated.
At last, under Clarissa’s coaxing, the beast pulled back.
Her face was drenched in slobber, and Abyss’s breath reeked of raw meat. The stench made her wrinkle her nose in disgust. She gave the leopard a pat before heading to the nearby river to wash up.
Abyss padded after her and sat down like an oversized housecat, golden eyes watchful.
Clarissa had always been wary of wild animals, but Abyss was different. At first, the creature’s attempts to get close had terrified her. With Phoenix’s encouragement, though, she had learned to trust her—and now, there was no fear left at all.
Kitty, on the other hand, she hadn’t bonded with yet. The big white beast played happily with Delilah in the distance, while Clarissa sank into the grass and turned her gaze toward the mountains.
“Abyss… do you ever miss your home?” she murmured.
The leopard tilted her head as though puzzled by the question. But animals were sensitive, and Abyss seemed to sense Clarissa’s melancholy. She flicked her long tail forward, hooking it around Clarissa’s ankle and stroking up and down in a strangely comforting gesture.
The soft fur tickled, and Clarissa burst into helpless laughter.
“God, that’s so ticklish…”
She reached down to grab the tail, but Abyss flicked it teasingly out of reach, turning it into a game. Clarissa ended up laughing harder, her mood lifting with every swipe of that ridiculous tail.
Finally, she gave in and sprawled across Abyss’s sleek, warm body. Her fingers sank into the soft fur as she sighed.
“You’re lucky. So carefree, so unbothered by all of this.”
Abyss yawned, then flopped down onto her side, letting Clarissa use her as a living pillow.
Lulled by the steady rhythm of the beast’s breathing, Clarissa closed her eyes for a moment.
Maybe this was enough—just lying here, forgetting the weight of everything, if only for a while.
Sunlight spilled over her, warm and soft, and Clarissa let her eyes drift shut in comfort.
When she opened them again, Delilah’s pretty face and Kitty’s absurdly oversized tiger head were looming over her.
Clarissa sat up, rubbing her eyes. “How long was I out?”
“Ages. At least three or four hours,” Delilah said with a grin. “You were out cold, so I didn’t have the heart to wake you. Come on, Clarissa, let’s go back. I’m starving.”
Clarissa stretched and stood, realizing she must have been more exhausted than she’d thought. The pressure of the past few weeks was catching up with her.
“Alright,” she said. “Let’s eat.”
Delilah’s eyes lit up, and together they headed back. Abyss and Kitty trailed after them like oversized shadows, one on each side, watchful and protective.
At the dining table, Delilah busied herself feeding chunks of meat to the two beasts. When she turned back, she caught Clarissa idly pushing rice around her bowl, barely eating.
“Clarissa,” she scolded, frowning, “eat properly. Don’t waste food.”
Snapped out of her thoughts, Clarissa gave her an apologetic smile. “You’re right. I’ll eat.” She picked up her chopsticks and forced herself to finish the entire bowl.
Only when it was empty did Delilah beam, immediately heaping more food onto her plate. “Here—eat more! Atticus said if you’re upset you barely touch your food, so he’s going to make sure you clear your plate every time.”
Clarissa’s smile stiffened. Atticus really was brilliant at meddling.
Seeing her bowl piling higher and higher, she quickly raised her hand. “Okay, that’s enough.”
“You really don’t eat much,” Delilah teased. “Fine—more for me!”
With that, she dragged the roast suckling pig closer, digging in like she hadn’t eaten in days. Watching Delilah devour her food with such enthusiasm, Clarissa couldn’t help but feel her own appetite return. She even finished another bowl of rice.
With Delilah’s chatter and the comforting presence of the two animals at her side, Clarissa’s mood finally began to ease.
The next three days flew by.
.....
Outside the Opal Room, Clarissa adjusted the strap of her bag, nerves tightening in her stomach. Delilah patted her shoulder firmly. “Don’t worry, Clarissa. I’m here. Nobody’s going to bully you.”
Leaning close, Clarissa whispered quickly in her ear, “Remember what I told you. Do exactly that, alright?”
Delilah’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she made a gesture of assurance. “Got it. No problem.”
Just as Clarissa reached for the door, her phone buzzed inside her bag. She fished it out and answered—only to hear Zachary’s voice.
“Miss Clarissa, I told you to come alone.”
Her heart gave a sharp jolt. Lifting her gaze, she spotted the black camera above the entrance. A smile tugged at her lips.
“She just walked me here. She’s leaving now. She’s only a kid—you wouldn’t bother with her, would you?”
On the other end came a low, lewd laugh. “Pretty kid. But I prefer women with a bit more… bite. Like you, Miss Clarissa.”
Revulsion twisted in her gut. Just hearing his voice made her want to vomit. She hung up on him with a snap, her face hardening.
Disgusting bastard. You’ll see soon enough.
Still, she hesitated at the door. Delilah couldn’t go in with her—not with cameras and guards likely watching both the entrance and the elevators.
Delilah tugged at her skirt. “Clarissa, why are you just standing here? Go on.”
Clarissa leaned down and explained the situation quickly. Delilah blinked, then shrugged, undaunted. “That’s easy. Leave it to me. I’ll take care of it.”
Clarissa studied her doubtfully. “Really? Don’t do anything reckless.”
Delilah grinned. “Trust me. I’ve got this.”
After a moment’s pause, Clarissa nodded. “Alright then. I’m going in.”
She turned toward the elevator, her steps steady despite the tension clawing at her.
The elevator carried her swiftly to the sixth floor, the top of the hotel. It was marketed as luxury—fountains out front, a golf course behind, even a helipad on the roof.
Clarissa walked to the presidential suite and pushed the door open.
Zachary was waiting inside on the sofa. The moment his gaze landed on her, his eyes lit up.
She had dressed simply today—cream-colored chiffon blouse, trousers, sneakers, her long hair loose down her back. Nothing flashy. Yet even in modest clothes, she radiated elegance and beauty.
Zachary stared like he couldn’t help himself, his hunger obvious.
God, she was even more breathtaking in person.
The first time he’d stumbled across her photo in Westhaven, he’d been hooked. Now, finally, she was here.
One way or another, she’d fall into his hands.
“Miss Clarissa, please—sit.”
Clarissa sat down as far away from Zachary as she could manage, her expression cold. “Fine. Tell me—what do you know? Who’s behind all this?”
Zachary swirled the wine in his glass, sipping lazily. “Miss Clarissa… don’t you already know?”
Her voice was steady, edged with steel. “I’ve always minded my own business. I’ve never gone looking for trouble, never crossed anyone. So why the hell are you making things so difficult for me?”
Zachary’s mouth curled into a smile. “Difficult? I’m almost sorry for you. If it weren’t for me, you’d be in even worse shape. Sit closer.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Your company’s finished. And as for your people…” His gaze slid over her body, lewd and deliberate. “You’re so damn beautiful. I’d rather not hand you over for others to use and abuse. Come with me instead. At least I can protect your people.”
“Protect?” Clarissa’s eyes glinted dangerously. “Who sent you?”
“That’s all I can say.” He smirked. “I know what you’re doing—trying to bait me—but I’m not that stupid.”
He set his glass down with a hard click and stepped forward.
Clarissa’s pulse spiked. She moved to bolt, but Zachary shoved her back into the sofa.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she snapped, glaring.
His grin twisted, ugly and smug. He wasn’t handsome to begin with, and when he smiled like that, the sleaze in his face was unbearable. Clarissa’s lip curled in disgust.
“What do you think I’m doing?” He hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Come now, Miss Clarissa. Have a drink with me.”