Chapter 359

"You struck me. I'm Glynnis Abernathy!"

Glynnis writhed on the ground, her body slick with sweat, moaning and curling into herself like a wounded insect.

But the more she screamed, the weaker her voice became, fading into pathetic whimpers.

How could a woman's kick be this devastating? It was inhuman!

"You're Glynnis Abernathy, so what? You're not Mari Abernathy. What's stopping me from hitting you?"

Lily smirked, rolling her neck, her gaze so icy it sent shivers down Glynnis' spine. "Your life only matters to you. To me, you're no different from that rat in the corner."

Humiliation burned through Glynnis.

Clenching her teeth, she forced herself up, summoning a surge of defiance, ready to fight this demon in human skin.

But before she could even steady herself, Lily's boot slammed into her ribs again—harder this time.

Glynnis collapsed like a broken doll, sprawled in an undignified heap. Pain twisted her insides, her face streaked with tears, snot, and dirt, making her look even more pitiful than the rodent she'd been compared to.

Lily wasn't a man. She had no reservations about beating a woman senseless. Just as she raised her foot for another strike, Jareth's cool voice crackled through her earpiece.

"Enough, Lily. You're overdoing it. One more hit and she might not make it."

Lily lowered her foot. "Understood."

Glynnis whimpered, barely conscious, catching fragments of the brutal woman's conversation but unable to decipher the words.

"You're letting her off?"

"Just slap her around a little. Wake her up." Jareth's tone was lazy, dripping with amusement.

Meanwhile, inside the sleek Rolls Royce, the warehouse scene played out on the car's screen.

Jareth watched Glynnis' suffering with cold satisfaction.

No, satisfaction wasn't enough.

Every cruelty she'd inflicted on Mari flashed through his mind. He wanted to break her bones, cut out her tongue, crush her hands—make her pay tenfold for every tear Mari had shed.

But Mari was still the Abernathy heiress. He didn't yet control Fairhaven Group. Starting a war now would only hurt Mari.

He wasn't afraid of chaos—he was afraid of dragging her into it.

The thought of their uncertain future weighed on him, a heavy pressure in his chest.

His breath ghosted over the delicate ear of the woman curled against him.

"Mmm..."

Mari stirred, blinking sleepily up at him.

"Did I wake you?" Jareth's voice was rough. He pressed a kiss to her flushed earlobe, savoring the warmth of her skin.

He could never get enough of her. Holding her, kissing her—it was never enough.

"No, I was already awake."

Though still innocent in many ways, Mari had grown bolder since their first night together. Now, as Jareth's lips trailed down her neck, she recognized the hunger in his touch.

Her cheeks burned, and she buried her face in his chest, knowing exactly what he wanted.

"Don't move. Let me kiss you."

Jareth tilted her chin up, his tongue claiming her mouth with possessive heat.

Mari melted into him, dizzy, pliant, letting him take whatever he desired.

The air in the car grew thick, charged with need. Then—

CRACK.

A sharp slap echoed through Jareth's earpiece, loud enough to make him wince. He pulled back, removing the earpiece with a frown.

"Jareth, is that my sister?" Mari's grip tightened around his waist as she stared at the screen, where Lily was mercilessly striking Glynnis.

"Yes. Who else could be that repulsive?" Jareth watched Glynnis' swollen, bloody face with disgust.

Mari flinched as Lily yanked Glynnis up by her hair and delivered another brutal slap.

Glynnis' once-beautiful features were now a grotesque mess—her lips split, nose broken, eyes swollen shut.

Lily was a trained fighter. Every strike was precise, brutal.

"I was wrong! Stop! Please!" Glynnis sobbed, her words slurred by her swollen tongue.

The more she begged, the darker Jareth's satisfaction grew.

"Why are you hitting her?" Mari trembled, shaking his arm. "Make Lily stop!"

"My love, why should I?" Jareth stroked her cheek.

My love.

The endearment sent a flush creeping down Mari's neck.

"I told you—I won't just protect you. I'll make sure anyone who hurts you regrets it for the rest of their miserable lives."

His voice was soft, but his eyes were glacial. "Glynnis has gotten away with tormenting you for too long. She'll repay every ounce of pain she's caused you—ten times over. And this is just the beginning."

Mari's chest tightened.

The man before her was still tender, still hers—but his gaze had shifted into something terrifying.

She knew this side of him existed. To the world, he was a predator. Only with her did he show gentleness.

Sometimes, she didn't agree with his methods. But that never stopped her from loving him.

"Just relax and enjoy the show," Jareth murmured, pulling her closer. "Staying cooped up at home is dull. Fresh air and a little entertainment will do you good."

Mari watched Glynnis' battered form, fear clawing at her throat. "Jareth! Please, spare her! She's my sister! Mom's favorite!"

Her pleas grew frantic, her nails digging into his arm.

Something in Jareth's expression shifted. He wrapped his arms around her and ordered Lily to stop.

Lily obeyed instantly, releasing Glynnis' hair.

Glynnis crumpled to the floor, her sobs the only sound left in the warehouse.

"Stop! Just stop!" Mari was crying now, her tears soaking Jareth's shoulder.

"Alright. It's over." Jareth cradled her, stroking her back. "Don't cry, sweetheart. I'll always listen to you."

Zoey, Jareth's longtime driver, watched in awe.

This girl was a miracle.

Since Mr. Fairhaven's death, Jareth had lived in darkness—violent, cynical, devoid of love.

But Mari changed him. She made him human again.

Mari's sobs slowly quieted, her body limp against Jareth's.

Each shuddering breath she took twisted his heart.

Her innocence often made him forget—she wasn't like other women. She had autism.

He'd searched tirelessly for a cure, consulting specialists worldwide. All they offered was patience, time, and unwavering support. A long, grueling road few could endure.

But he would.

Mari was his. He'd chosen her. He would never let her go.

"Jareth, thank you," Mari whispered. "Thank you for sparing her."

"She hurt you. Humiliated you. Why protect her?" Jareth's voice was gentle, but his brows furrowed in frustration.

Mari sniffled. "Because she's my sister. Mom and Dad love her. Seeing her hurt would break their hearts."

The logic was baffling.

To earn her parents' affection, she'd forgive the one who tormented her.

Jareth's chest ached, sharp needles of pain spreading through him.

"Mari, you're too kind."

So kind it hurt.

She was the light that had shattered his darkness—so pure, so incompatible with his world, yet he'd cling to her forever.

Just as the thought settled, Mari suddenly lifted her head. Her soft lips brushed against his Adam's apple.

Jareth's control snapped.

Heat coiled low in his stomach, his body tightening with need.

"Jareth... do you want to do it here?" Mari murmured, pulling back slightly.

She didn't know how else to phrase it.

The innocent question nearly undid him.

Zoey, sensing the shift, discreetly raised the privacy partition.

The car became their own secluded world.

"Mari, you're playing with fire," Jareth growled, sweat beading on his brow. His hands slid possessively over her curves.

"No, I'm not. I just wanted to thank you." She blinked up at him, pouting. "But forget it. Pretend I didn't say—"

Jareth crushed his lips to hers, swallowing her words.

His tongue plunged into her mouth, claiming her with desperate hunger.

His hands roamed, leaving faint red marks on her delicate skin.

"What's said is said, darling."

Jareth loosened his tie, his voice a dark promise. "You started this. Now you'll put out the fire."