Chapter 267 - There is No Rest For the Wicked

At a certain penthouse.

A man stood by his lonesome, holding a phone in one hand and a wineglass in the other.

The night view presented before him through the floor-to-ceiling glass window was impressive, but the man's attention was drawn to the tiny screen of his smartphone.

"—We just came out of the concert and it was awesome! And Yeo Ri—Yeo Ri, it's your first time, right? How was it? Did you enjoy it?"

The screen panned to the girl, whose face was glowing with a bright blush and a wide smile.

"Yeah! It was amazing!" Her eyes sparkled as she remembered the concert. Her gaze was dreamy as she hummed a tune she had heard during the concert. It was apparent that she had thoroughly enjoyed her time there.

"Okay guys, that's the end of today's vlog! We're all gonna go home now. It was fun, guys! Get home safe, Won! Yeo Ri too!"

"You too, Jung Ho," Won energetically replied, and Yeo Ri parroted behind him.

The man walked towards a nearby chair, setting down his drink on the side table. He unknowingly smirked as he replayed Yeo Ri's part.

"—Yeah! It was amazing!"

"—Yeah! It was amazing!"

"—Yeah! It was amazing!"

The more he replayed her reaction, the deeper his smile became. It looked as if he was completely entranced by her beauty.

He licked his lips as the d.e.s.i.r.e to possess her grew strongly within him.

With a few taps, he exited the social media app and opened up his contacts list. He scrolled for some time before finally finding the number he needed.

Riiing. Riiiiing.

Within two rings, the other person picked up the call.

"Mr. Woo! Is there something the matter? For you to give me a call at this hour..."

"It's about your project from the other day."

"Yeah—cough—Yes? What about it, sir?"

"I'll add my investment, but there's something you need to do for me."

"Of course, of course! Just say it, sir, and it will be done!"

"You know that girl, Lee Yeo Ri? Put her in the cast. Let's see... The female lead's younger counterpart would be suitable, no?"

"Lee Yeo Ri? Lee Yeo Ri... Uh... Oh! That girl, the one from the commercial, right? Alright, Mr. Woo! Don't worry, I'll make it happen for sure!"

"That's all. I'm looking forward to your project."

"Yes, yes! I—no, the team—will certainly not disappoint you. Thank you for your consideration, sir!"

An ominous, victorious smile hung on the man's face as he ended the call.

Assured that he would certainly be able to get what he wanted, the man rose from his seat and nonchalantly dropped his phone onto the chair, replacing it with his wineglass. He downed the amber liquid in one breath, then turned to the figure huddled at the corner of the bed.

The man approached the figure with a grin, "I'm feeling great tonight!"

The figure flinched. "P-please have mercy!" The figure let out a strangled sob as she tried to make herself smaller.

The man grabbed a fistful of her hair, drawing her face close to him, and kissed her savagely until blood was drawn.

The girl sobbed, afraid and exhausted to the point where she couldn't move her body.

The man let her go, marvelling at his masterpiece.

The girl's skin was covered with a multitude of colourful bruises and barely healed scars, looking like exploding fireworks. The girl had begged and screamed until her voice was hoarse, and in her eyes he could see the apparent pain and fear that she was feeling.

The man smiled.

His hand shot out to grab her throat, and p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e filled him to the brim as the girl's eyes widened. She gasped for breath as she panicked, her nails scratching his arm in hopes of release.

He tightened his grip, and soon the light in the girl's eyes faded.

He relaxed his grip, and upon feeling a slow pulse, he clicked his tongue. "This thing isn't fun anymore," he mumbled.

His mind brought him back to the girl he had seen in the video earlier.

"Lee Yeo Ri..." He tested her name on his tongue, excitement brewing once more.

He could not wait to get his hands on her, and watch her look up at him with those pretty eyes of hers. He imagined how good it would feel to hold her and leave his marks all over her.

"Soon..." he whispered, taking a deep breath as he stretched. He flexed his fingers, itching to run them through the girl's long, silky locks.

The man reached for his phone, dialing a number familiarly.

"Hey, get rid of this thing. I'm done with it. Make sure to shut it up when it wakes up."

As soon as the call was over, a knock came from the door.

An elderly man entered the room, greeting the younger man respectfully before beckoning the people behind him to pick up the girl and bring her out.

"Is there anything else you'd like me to do, sir?"

The man glanced at the older man, then frowned slightly at the messy bed. Traces of blood, both fresh and dried, was evident all over the sheets.

"Get another room ready. I don't want to sleep in those dirty sheets."

"Yes, sir. Right away, sir."

The older man left the room, leaving the man alone once more.

He turned his sight back to the window, staring at the sparkling cityscape which reminded him of the girl's beautiful, glittering eyes.