She must succeed. Otherwise, there wouldn't be another chance.
Savannah thanked the waiter and went up the classical spiral stairs to the second floor.
The banquet was held on the first floor, where people drank and enjoyed themselves; the second floor had many rooms for guests to have short breaks.
She found the room where Lionel was in and knocked on the door.
"Come in," from the room came a familiar gentle voice.
Savannah walked in and closed the door.
Lionel was relaxing on a single sofa with a glass of half-finished red wine on the table by his side.
He was wearing a white shirt with the cuffs slightly rolled up, looking casual. His business suit was hanging on a hanger not far away behind him.
He stood up in surprise when he saw Savannah coming in.
Joanne had mentioned to him that Savannah would come to dinner today, but he didn't expect that she would find him alone.
"Don't be so surprised to see me." Savannah smiled faintly.
At ordinary times, she always dressed in leisure clothes in a plain color, loose and comfortable. Today she was wearing a vivid rosy dress, which enhanced the whiteness of her skin. The dress was shot and clung to her body, making her look leggy, busty, and skinny.
But different from three years ago, she was much plumper now.
Lionel's heart missed a beat.
As her stepbrother, he knew that he should only take her as his sister only.
However, as a man, he had to admit he was tempted.
She was very beautiful tonight, like a rose in full bloom, tempting passers-by to pick.
To be honest, his feelings about Savannah had always been somewhat complicated.
He was sympathetic for her as her brother, but if she hadn't been his stepsister, he might have made advances to her three years ago.
Perhaps, he had been partial to Savannah, unwilling to see her suffer injustice, and even quarreled with Charlotte several times because of her, because he had some affection for her...
He came to his senses and said gently, "It's good to have you here. Well, I didn't finish what I wanted to ask you last time. Can you make yourself clear today?"
Savannah noticed the complicated light in his eyes when he looked at her. She slowly walked to the sofa and sat down opposite him, picked up the glass of wine he left on the table, and played with it between her fingers.
"You think your grandma went mad because of me, and you think I'll still do harm to your family, right?" She asked lazily.
"I hope not, so I'd like to hear your explanation," Lionel looked at her.
"Don't be so serious," Savannah put down the wine glass, smiling. "We're not enemies. Sit down and have a drink. We can talk slowly."
Lionel didn't say anything and sat down on the sofa.
Savannah handed him his wine and then got an empty glass, poured herself a glass of wine, and raised it toward Lionel.
Lionel didn't know what she wanted to do, but he felt she was a little different tonight.
She looked like an alluring charm woman, making men willing to fly into her fire.
"Why? You've decided I'm the enemy of the Rowe family and even refuse to have a drink with me?" Savannah slightly raised her red lips up.
After a brief clink, Lionel finished the rest of the wine and placed the empty glass on the table.
"Now, can you tell me? Why did you suddenly change your mind to stay at home? Did you make up with Dylan to annoy Charlotte deliberately? Was it because of you that my grandpa suddenly fell into a faint and became ill? I don't think we've done anything to offend you." Lionel said calmly.
"Did you ever think that your family had done some immoral things, and now you finally got your punishment?" Savannah replied with a dazzling smile, her dark eyes looking very cold.
"What do you want to say?" Lionel's face changed. He suddenly felt strangely hot and dry, and he tried to press the feeling down.
Savannah got up and walked slowly towards him. She leaned over and looked at Lionel with hate.
"Feel pain for your grandmother and your sister? It's not over yet. I just started. It's not the end of your family," she said those indifferent words softly.
Her breath in his face was sweet and seductive, making the strange fire in his belly thicker and hotter! His heart began to pound. His blood was pumping around his body.
He took Savannah by the hand and wanted to question her, but he did not know what was going on himself that he pulled her into his arms subconsciously!
Savannah gave a little exclamation.
The pill she had just dropped in Lionel's glass began to work.
And it seemed to work pretty fast.
"What're you doing?" She pretended to be frightened and pushed him away, her heart beating fast.
Her warm, soft body stimulated him, making him completely lose his control and judgment.
He was not in his right mind now. The woman in front of him was not Savannah, his stepsister, but a plaything that allowed him to fix his present fire of d.e.s.i.r.e.
Lionel raised his hand to catch Savannah—he ripped her dress, and her white back was exposed in front of his eyes!
He picked her up and threw her onto the sofa, leaning over to strip her.
Although it was arranged by herself, Savannah was still terrified when Lionel acted like a beast with red eyes, totally different from his usual gentleness.
"Help! Somebody!" She struggled and cried in horror.
Just then, the door was kicked open!
Before Savannah reacted, Lionel was knocked down, and she was drawn into a man's hot arms. Looking up, she met Dylan's anxious and worried eyes.
Behind him, Garwood stood in the doorway, looking shocked.
Lionel passed out on the ground after hitting the wall.
She shivered into Dylan's arms and threw herself around his neck. She knew she didn't have to say a word. The scene was enough to make Dylan furious.
Dylan took off his suit and wrapped Savannah in. His face was convulsed with rage.