Ten minutester, Derick showed up with a couple of outfits and a box of contraceptives. He didn''t step inside, just hung back at the door with a respectful nod.


    When Everett took the items, Derick noted his boss lounging in a loose bathrobe. His belt was casually tied, and he gave off a vibe of sheerziness. Fresh scratch marks on his neck hinted at some recent, intense action. Everett was usually the picture of dignity and control, a guy with irond restraint. Having worked with him for years, Derick had never seen him thisid-back and disheveled during business hours. Today was definitely a revtion.


    Sticking to the gentleman''s rule of "see no evil," Derick squashed his curiosity, lowered his gaze, and kept his thoughts to himself. "Mr. Bet, I''ve pushed your afternoon meeting to ater time," he said. "Alright," Everett replied nonchntly, confident in Derick''s ability to handle things.


    Just as Derick was about to slip away discreetly, Everett''s voice stopped him with a few cold, precise instructions.


    ...


    Selena opened the box of birth control, took out a strip, and popped two pills, ready to gulp them down.


    Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed firmly.


    Everett stood by the bed, looking down at her with dark, intense eyes. He hesitated before asking, "Do you really want to take those?"N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Too weary to engage, Selena shrugged off his hand, popped the pills into her mouth, and chased them down with a swig of bottled water. Then, shey back down, closing her eyes.


    Everett felt a nagging irritation, unsure if it was Selena''s attitude or the stark realization that his once-docile Mrs. Bet was slipping from his grip.


    He had to admit, he was old-school


    at heart, with a hefty dose of male pride. Even if he didn''t love Selena, she was his wife, his possession, and he naturally felt the urge to contraher. So, the idea of his "possession" wanting to break free was uneptable, especially when he wasn''t nning on changing the status quo.


    Everett grabbed his cigarette pack and lighter, headed to the window, and lit it up.


    He gazed outside; this was Newport''s most bustling business hub, mostly owned by the Bet Corporation.


    In the business world, he was a


    powerhouse, never fazed by any project no matter how daunting. Yet, it was surprising that someone like Selena could mess with his mood.


    Everett leaned back, blowing out a smoke ring. He nced at the small figure curled up on the bed, a faint, cruel smile teasing his lips. He always got what he wanted.


    He wanted Selena to continue being the sweet,pliant Mrs. Bet. She''d eventually slip back into her role.


    After finishing his cigarette, he lingered to let the smoke dissipate, then strolled over to the bed.


    Hey beside Selena, wrapping his e arms around her, his cheek brushing her neck, his voice husky, "Taking those pills isn''t good for you. Next time, I''ll use protection."


    Selena, almost drifting off, couldn''t help but open her eyes at his words. She nced at the contraceptives on the nightstand, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.


    So, he knew all along that constantly taking those pills was harmful, yet he made her do it anyway. Now that divorce wasn''t on the table, he suddenly cared.


    She pieced it together-Everett''s renewed interest in her wasn''t just about Josh or the Bet Corporation''s reputation.