Chapter 198.1

Chapter 198.1

Seoryeong instinctively stepped back at the chill in his voice. Being alone with Lee Wooshin after he had taken a Russian aphrodisiac was the last thing she wanted. She tried to slip quietly toward the door, but he clicked his tongue, sharp and precise.

“Don’t move.”

The color drained from her face. She was the one who had told him about the aphrodisiac. So why lock the door, why close the curtains, and why was he toying with Natalia’s hair?

A spark ignited in her chest. She glared at him, her gaze cold enough to kill.

If you touch Natalia, if you try something like that, I’ll never forgive you. Not even after all the times you deceived me. I swear it.

She forced her expression blank, swallowing down the surge of emotion. Then she stood still, waiting.

“Why doesn’t a housekeeper trim her nails? And your nail beds are awfully small, too.”

As he drew closer, Wooshin bent down and inhaled deeply.

“Normally, calluses form on the middle finger from holding a pencil. But yours, they’re everywhere. Deep, rough, like the grain of old wood. Want me to guess why?”

“…”

“I bet you’ve got them on your palms too. Like someone who’s done a lot of pull-ups.”

Her heart sank. Seoryeong clenched her fists tightly.

“I can still picture it clearly,” he murmured.

When he reached for her hair again, she jerked her head away. Wooshin paused, lowering his hand with a faint twitch of his jaw.

“I’m going to touch you now.”

No chance. Seoryeong overturned the tray with a loud crash and bolted for the door. But Wooshin was faster. As if he had anticipated it, he caught her mid-step and lifted her onto his shoulder, ignoring her frantic struggle.

“Don’t be scared.”

Her full chest pressed against his shoulder blades, making it hard to breathe. She fought with all her might, but her arms and nape were pinned like an animal’s. He threw her onto the sofa.

Ugh…! Her face hit the leather, and her nose flattened painfully. She barely managed to suck in air through her tight throat. Meanwhile, Lee Wooshin climbed over her, tore her stockings, and grasped her bare foot in one hand.

He began feeling her soles like he was counting every callus embedded there. Seoryeong finally came to her senses and started struggling. He was the man who could see through a woman by hair and eye color alone. He must’ve picked up on something again.

Frowning in frustration, she tried to squirm off the sofa. She kicked him in the forehead with her heel, but he bit down on her heel in return.

“Let go of me…!”

Wooshin didn’t respond, only tightened his grip around her ankle. Seoryeong turned and glared at him, her brows drawn tight.

Then his warm breath brushed against her skin as he pressed his forehead to the sole of her foot. His hands trembled faintly.

“I hope you’ll work in my house for a long time. I’ll make you rich if that’s what you want. I’ll multiply your salary tenfold, give you bonuses every season.”

Bonuses for a maid? The absurdity of it made her frown.

“In return… just humor a discarded man and say something to me.”

He squeezed her slender ankle hard.

“My wife doesn’t trust me.”

“…!”

“How can I show her my heart? How can I be forgiven?”

His voice was rough, like he was forcing each word out through clenched teeth.

“What do I need to do…”

He muttered like a man being strangled, clutching his forehead. Watching him try to suppress his emotions made something ache deep inside her.

Then, suddenly flustered, he ran a hand through his hair and released her. He snatched the remaining tea from the table and drank it down like poison.

“Wait!”

Seoryeong’s eyes widened in horror. Why would you drink that?! She jumped from the sofa and slapped his back hard. Wooshin coughed violently, groaning under his breath.

“Russian aphrodisiacs are notoriously strong. If someone wanted to make a bastard with me, they must’ve chosen the harshest kind. When the impulses spike, memory loss isn’t unusual.”

“What the hell were you thinking?!”

“The fever shoots up like fire. Muscles lock tight.”

“…”

“Even air brushing against the skin stings and burns.”

“…”

“You might lose consciousness and be ruled only by desire.”

Then why…?! Seoryeong couldn’t understand this man’s insanity.

“It used to be infamous as a Spetsnaz torture method. If you couldn’t withstand sxual urges, you’d spill secrets or become easy to turn. That’s why, in sx training, the first thing they teach isn’t technique, it’s how to suppress desire.”