There wasn't any fancy foreplay,

not that he didn't know how to.

He felt that there was no longer a need to deliberately please this woman.

Foreplay belonged to women, men didn't need it.

She knew for the first time that the sexual intercourse was not always so pleasant.

That man had spoiled her taste.

🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀

The sound of Yao's voice was like a bucket of cold water, dousing Sandra's exhilarated mind and snapping her back to reality. 

She had totally forgotten—she had a "boyfriend."

Sandra glanced back at the bedroom door, quickly slipped off Arden's T-shirt, straightened her hair, and pulled open the front door just enough to reveal her head. 

"Yao? Why are you here?"

Yao stepped forward, but Sandra made no move to let him in.

"Why aren't you answering your phone?" he asked.

"It was off when I got home this morning," Sandra replied calmly.

"What about your landline?"

"April probably unplugged it so I wouldn't be disturbed while I slept."

"Then why won't you let me in?"

"I just took a shower and haven't changed yet," Sandra said smoothly, though a nervous flutter stirred in her chest. She almost admired her own composure as she deflected each of his questions with ease.

Yao's eyes narrowed with skepticism as he peered past her into the apartment. "Where's April?"

"She has class this afternoon. She should be back before dinner time." Sandra replied, keeping her tone steady.

Yao reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek. "Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't reach you? I thought that sports car guy was harassing you again."

A low, steady voice suddenly came from the bedroom doorway. "The guy you're talking about... that wouldn't happen to be me, would it?"

Sandra stood frozen, utterly petrified. Yao, on the other hand, was only half-stunned—just enough to push the door open and step inside.

"Sandy, did he do anything to you?" Yao asked, his gaze sweeping over her camisole and shorts before shifting to the half-naked man standing in front of her bedroom. He didn't need much imagination to guess what had happened—but he didn't want to believe it.

Arden's eyes locked onto Yao's hand resting on Sandra's shoulder. His voice was low and deliberate, each word laced with quiet menace. "Take. Your. Hand. Off. My. Woman's. Shoulder."

Yao's jaw tightened as he glanced from Arden to Sandra. "What is he talking about?"

Sandra finally caught her breath, exhaling softly as she gently lifted Yao's hand from her shoulder.

"He told you to let go," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yao's expression darkened as Arden's words sank in. "He said you were his woman?"

Sandra's head dipped, as if she wanted to disappear into herself. "...Yes. I... I slept with him."

Even hearing her say it aloud, Yao still couldn't believe it. "You're saying you and he...?"

"I'm sorry, Yao," Sandra whispered, unable to meet his eyes.

Truly, the tides had turned. A year ago, she had stood outside her ex-boyfriend's apartment, searching for answers. Now, a year later, it was her current boyfriend standing at her door.

That man hadn't given her an explanation back then—what kind of explanation could she possibly offer Yao now?

Other than, "I'm sorry..."

Sandra feared the two men might come to blows. One practiced Sanda, the other kickboxing. If a fight broke out, she wouldn't even know which one to pull away.

But deep down, she knew—the person who deserved to be beaten the most was herself.

Sandra looked at Yao, and Arden was watching him too. Yet Yao's gaze never wavered. He was looking only at Sandra.

No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure this woman out.

Sandra's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something—but Yao didn't give her the chance. With Arden's provocative gaze burning into him, Yao turned and walked away.

The one who loses should leave quietly. Throwing a tantrum wouldn't change anything; it would only make the situation more awkward, more pathetic.

Sandra understood exactly how Yao must feel right now. It was the same way she had felt a year ago.

She had never meant to hurt Yao.

She had always kept her distance, firmly rejecting his advances, maintaining a safe boundary. But then Arden had cornered her, leaving her with nowhere to escape. And Yao—Yao had been too close, too warm. In her desperation, she had leaned into him for solace.

Being Yao's girlfriend should have been a happy experience. He treated her well—he always had. Whether in the training hall or in everyday life, his attentiveness never wavered. It was dangerously easy to get used to being pampered like that. Around Yao, she sometimes allowed herself to act a little spoiled, even unreasonable.

She had once seriously considered a future with him—a stable life, calm and peaceful. Wasn't that exactly what she had always wanted?

For the past two weeks, she had done her best to play the role of a girlfriend—so much so that even she had begun to believe in the illusion.

Until Arden reappeared.

She had tried, truly tried, to rid herself of this rogue. But the harder she pushed him away, the tighter he clung to her.

She didn't know what kind of spell Arden had cast over her. He was like a demon, effortlessly burning away every shred of her rationality.

Arden was her calamity, and one way or another, she would have to endure him.

April rounded the corner, walking past Yao—only to pause and glance back, startled by the grim expression on his face.

"Sasa, what's wrong with Yao?" she asked, spotting Sandra standing by the door. "Did you two have... a... fight..."

The last three words trailed off, halting and uneven, as if the tape recorder in her mind had suddenly jammed—stuttering, then fading into silence.

April's eyes widened in horror as she took in the half-naked man standing in Sandra's bedroom doorway.

Arden smiled and strolled over casually. April instinctively took half a step back.

"Hi, April. Long time no see."

April flicked her gaze between Arden and Sandra, then suddenly dropped her head, as if unsure where to look.

Arden grabbed the T-shirt draped over the back of a chair and pulled it on before leaning down to kiss Sandra gently on the forehead.

"I'll be going now. Rest well, kitten. I'll pick you up for school tomorrow morning."

As Arden passed by April, he paused briefly. April kept her head lowered, and they exchanged no words. Their arms brushed lightly as he moved through the narrow doorway. April shuddered, hurrying inside and shutting the door behind her with a long, heavy sigh.

Sandra assumed April felt awkward from running into one of Ryo's friends, and the situation was just too embarrassing. She didn't dwell on it, mentally preparing herself for the gossip and questions April was sure to throw her way.

April tossed her backpack onto the sofa and glanced at Sandra, who was still standing by the entrance.

"What are you still standing there for? Waiting for one of them to come back?"

Sandra, still a bit dazed, asked, "Should I go after him?"

April rolled her eyes. "Which one are you planning to chase?"

Sandra sighed and walked over, collapsing onto the other sofa.

April looked Sandra up and down, as if she were examining a strange specimen.

Sandra shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "Go ahead, I'll confess."

April lowered her voice and cautiously asked, "How did you end up with that guy?"

Sandra sighed again. "It's a long story."

"Then make it short."

Sandra rubbed her forehead with her palm. "One-night stand."

April gasped in disbelief. "Are you crazy, Sasa? I never thought you were that kind of girl. Yao can't satisfy you, so you went for a one-night stand with a male escort? And even if you did, how could you let Yao catch you? Isn't that a slap in his face? Yao treats you so well. For the past year, he's been chasing you so hard. You finally agreed to be with him, and now you're going to stab him in the back?"

"I know I'm messed up," Sandra admitted, her voice faltering as April mentioned Yao. "I don't know how to explain it. It's already happened, and I feel guilty about Yao. You can call me fickle; I'll accept it. But I really didn't want things to turn out like this. That Arden... that scoundrel..."

"Did he threaten you? Or force you? If he did, we can have Yao sue him until he's bankrupt."

Sandra shook her head. He didn't threaten or force her. He just... tempted her. She had no self-control around him, and she couldn't blame anyone else for it.

"Back when you told me not to be with Ryo, where were all those arguments? Why didn't you take your own advice? At least Ryo comes from a well-to-do family. Arden... he... he's..." April's voice trailed off, her eyes fluttering. Then she quickly changed the subject. "I always thought you were the smartest, the one who knew what to do. I never thought you'd be this foolish."

Sandra buried her head between her knees, fighting back tears.

April sighed, sensing Sandra already had enough of her scolding. The two sat in silence for a long time.

"So, what do you plan to do about Yao?"

"What else can I do?" Sandra slumped back against the sofa, her voice heavy. "It's over."

April fiddled with the frills on the sofa's armrest. "What a shame. Yao is such a good man."

"Why don't you take over?"

"Are you kidding me?" April waved her hands dismissively. "Who doesn't know Yao only has eyes for you?"

Sandra wasn't entirely joking. They were both good friends, both remarkable in their own ways, and if they could be together, she'd be happy for them.

She knew it was selfish, but hearing the words, "Yao only has eyes for you," reminded her of what Yao had confessed the day before—how she was his weakness. The guilt in her heart surged like a tidal wave.

"Am I awful?"

April didn't mince words. "Yes. You've really broken Yao's heart this time."

Sandra closed her eyes, her voice trembling. "Am I really that awful?"

"Yes~~ totally awful~~" April said, sitting down at the desk and shaking the mouse to wake up her computer.

She truly was awful. She had completely forgotten about her boyfriend, spending an entire afternoon happily with another man. That happiness felt like an illusion—so vivid, yet so cruelly shattered by reality.

In front of Arden, she had no resistance. He was like poison—something she knew she shouldn't touch, something she tried to avoid. Yet, the moment she got near him, her rationality evaporated entirely.

What had she done in her past life to deserve such a scoundrel?

He had cost her friends, her job, and even her sense of self. Now, what should she do? Keep hiding like before or let everything fall apart?

This man was a demon, and he had to be eliminated.

🎬🔀

The handsome, troublesome scoundrel sat in Moya's GTI, a smile playing on his lips that nothing seemed capable of wiping away.

The bitterness from the previous night had completely evaporated. His body, finally recovered after half a month, felt satiated and satisfied. To top it off, he'd managed to tear apart that pair of adulterers.

She thought she could betray him behind his back? Well, he'd show her exactly how he'd deal with her in bed.

Speaking of adulterers, Yao appeared right on cue.

Bang, bang, bang—the sound of fists pounding on the car window.

Arden rolled down the window, casually resting his arm on the edge, his expression carefree. "What's up? Playing the gentleman in front of her, but waiting for me here?"

Yao, suppressing his anger, spoke coldly. "Get out of the car. We need to talk."

Arden raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "What's there to talk about between you and me? Unless you're looking to get a little more intimate. I'll admit, I've experimented with men before, but trust me, it's not really my thing."

Yao reached in and grabbed Arden's collar, his anger boiling over. "You scum, stay away from Sandra."

Arden pointed at Yao's hand, his tone calm but biting. "If you want to talk to me like this, then we've got nothing more to discuss."

Yao hesitated for a moment, then released his grip. Arden leaned back in his seat, adjusting his collar with a sneer. "You're not the one who gets to decide that. You should stay away from my woman."

"Your woman?" Yao's voice dropped, " Who are you calling 'your woman'?"

Arden's smile was cold, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're still not getting it, are you? She's not yours to protect. She made her choice. It's a shame, really—a beauty like that. I guess you haven't had the pleasure of tasting her yet."

Yao's anger flared. He threw a punch, but Arden intercepted it with ease. Still, the force of the blow made him frown. "You're too quick to act on emotion. I thought you were in law school. A future lawyer should know better than to lose control like this."

Yao gritted his teeth. "How much does she owe you? I'll pay it back for her."

Arden raised an eyebrow, "Did she tell you she owes me money?"

"Didn't she?" Yao demanded, his tone sharp and demanding.

Arden chuckled softly, a mocking glint in his gaze. "That naughty little minx."

Yao's jaw tightened, sensing the sarcasm. "Sandra is a good girl. I won't let you toy with her like this."

Arden's smirk deepened, his voice low and taunting. "But she wants to be toyed with—by me."

He glanced at Yao, his expression smug. He let his words hang in the air, each one intentionally designed to wound. "If you've got the guts, go ahead and try. Let's see if she's happier with you, or if she moans louder in my bed."

The taunt hit Yao like a punch to the gut. His composure shattered, and without thinking, he slammed his fist onto the car roof, leaving a visible dent, the sound of metal bending echoing.

A true gentleman knew when to back down; a pretender only added fuel to the fire. If Arden didn't leave now, was he waiting for Yao to drag him out?

With a screech of tires, Arden slammed the accelerator, speeding off. The GTI was fast, but it was no match for the SVJ he typically drove.

To Arden's surprise, Yao actually chased the car down the street, his frustration echoing with each punch landed on the car doors, windows, and even the rear bumper.

Arden glanced at the rearview mirror, his lips curling into an amused smirk. 

Good thing this isn't my car, he thought. Otherwise, I'd have to step out and teach him a lesson.

🎬🔀

Moya circled the car a few times, inspecting the damage with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

"Are you sure he didn't have a hammer or a baseball bat?" she asked, squinting at the dented roof. "This is a German-made car, not one of those paper-thin Japanese models where a single kick from my high heels leaves a mark. Human bodies are made of flesh, after all."

"Flesh and bones," Arden mused, leaning casually against the door of his SVJ. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he recalled the earlier scene. 

"That boy was probably seeing red. I heard he used to be a Sanda fighter—maybe even on the national team. If he'd really dragged me out and started throwing punches..." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I'm made in China, and let's just say the outcome would've been... unpredictable."

Moya laughed lightly and patted Arden's shoulder. "You've got yourself a real rival."

Arden chuckled dismissively. "Him? Please. Who's scared of that hothead?"

Moya raised an eyebrow knowingly. "What if the entire Sanda team shows up? Think you'll still be this cocky then?"

Arden paused, briefly imagining the absurd scenario, then grinned. "As long as the most beautiful one on the team is on my side, I'll manage."

Moya smirked, crossing her arms. "You sure she's on your side? You break them up, and she might just turn that beauty into fury aimed straight at you."

Arden's expression didn't waver. "Well, first, she gave me the chance to break them up." He licked his lips. "You should've seen her wearing my shirt... absolutely irresistible."

Moya didn't quite get it. She'd met Sandra once, and while the girl was pretty, nothing about her stood out enough for Moya to understand Arden's obsession. Maybe men's tastes really were just that different.

"I'm really curious," Moya said, her tone mischievous. "Why don't you bring her to The Roxy tonight? Let everyone see which girl managed to tie down our Prince Charming."

Arden shot a sideways glance at Moya, his expression a mix of amusement and irritation. "Who says she tied me down?"

Moya raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you tell her students you're her boyfriend?"

Arden frowned. "How do you know about that?"

Moya smirked. "Your dad's friend, Uncle Chan, his daughter is in your woman's class. She saw you once when she was little and recognized you on the spot. She went home and told her dad everything. She even mentioned your, uh, size..."

Arden broke into a cold sweat, his face turning pale. "Holy s—"

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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