Temptation and Betrayal: A Game of Shadows

I raped someone after drinking. I planned to settle the matter privately and generously gave him two million. Unexpectedly, he turned the tables on me and I ended up being taken to the police station.

---

"Hey, Valerie Barnett, are you coming or not? You're the only one missing."

"I'm on my way," I replied, hurrying into the Hydra's Yonder bar.

As soon as I entered the private box, I was handed several shots of strong liquor.

I suppressed the discomfort in my stomach and continued drinking with them.

"Valerie, look at you, still single at your age. Aren't you lonely?"

I played along, "I'm lonely, so I came here to ask you to introduce me to a boyfriend." I said with a smile.

The door to the private box swung open, and as I stood, I stumbled and accidentally bumped into the young waiter delivering drinks.

I looked at the waiter through my haze. He was quite handsome, so I leaned into him, letting my hands roam freely over him.

With a smirk, I leaned close to his face, stopping about an inch away, and said, "You're quite handsome. Interested in spending some time together?"

He squinted at me, raising his hand, and I thought I had a chance.

The next second, he pushed me away mercilessly, and I crashed onto the sofa. The glass in my hand slipped, shattering on the floor, spilling liquor everywhere.

He said coldly, "Please behave yourself."

The others were already looking at me, and now they started to make a noise.

I sneered, "Young man."

I looked at my liquor-soaked clothes and then at him. "Do you have any idea how expensive this outfit is?"

"I'll pay you back," he said, frowning at me.

"Alright, then spend the night with me," I said with a flirtatious smile, teasing him.

One of them chimed in, "Valerie, that's not what he meant by 'pay.'"

I turned to him and said, "Isn't it all the same?" I turned back to the waiter, "What do you think?"

He left with just one word, "Boring," and walked out of the room.

I was stunned by his behavior.

I bit my cheek, smiling to myself.

"Valerie, that guy is quite stubborn. Ha-ha, I didn't expect that you would be rejected one day."

I just smiled without saying anything, thinking about how to regain my dignity.

Afterward, I returned to the hotel.

By coincidence, I saw that guy from the bar again.

I thought he was really hardworking, he had to work so many jobs in a day?

The alcohol clouded my judgment, and seeing him made me angry.

With a playful attitude, I walked up to him and deliberately bumped into him.

He caught me.

The next second I looked up and kissed him accurately.

He seemed stunned for a moment, then pushed me to the ground.

When I woke up, I found us both naked in bed, his body covered in marks.

I recalled the scene of me pestering him to have sex with me.

I was stunned. I thought that even though I hadn't had sex for a long time, I shouldn't be that horny.

But the reality was, I raped a young man.

I grimaced, wondering what to do.

The man beside me stirred, slowly opened his eyes, and after a few seconds, sat up, glaring at me fiercely.

I looked at him with some embarrassment, pretending it was a common occurrence, just a one-night stand.

I smiled at him, smoothing my messy hair.

"Young man, don't look at me with such a surprised expression. Is this your first time having sex?"

"I'm calling the police."

Hearing that, I couldn't let it happen, so I quickly tried to grab his phone.

"Young man, casual encounters happen all the time," I said, smiling as I reached for his phone. "Besides, you're not losing out. I'm quite a catch, and I haven't complained."

He looked at me incredulously, "How can you be so shameless?"

"Young man, let's talk this over. How much do you want? I'll pay." I resorted to my last tactic.

"Do you think this is something money can buy?" he asked me harshly.

"Of course," I shamelessly replied. "Young man, you're juggling several jobs. Wouldn't you like an easy payday? This is a golden opportunity. Are you sure you want to pass it up?" I tempted him.

"Your family must be struggling, right? Otherwise, why would you be doing odd jobs at such a young age? You must be short on cash."

Seeing his expression change slightly, I knew I had hit the mark.

He put down his phone, looking at me cautiously, "How much can you give me?"

I pretended to think for a moment and said, "Since it's your first time, two million." I raised an eyebrow at him.

He didn't answer immediately.

I watched him, knowing he was struggling internally. But I couldn't afford a rape charge. I'd end up in jail, and he looked so young. Was he even of age?

"Okay." He stood there, still looking at me with disdain.

"Great," I said cheerfully.

I intended to get out of bed but realized I was wearing nothing.

"Young man, do you mind seeing my beautiful body?" I teased him with a smile.

He scanned me from head to toe, eyes filled with disdain, then turned his head away in refusal.

I shrugged. Who cared about that?

I got out of bed, picked up my clothes, and quickly dressed.

I took a check from my bag, filled it out for two million, and handed it to him.

"Here," I said, passing the check to him.

"Take a good look. From now on, let's pretend nothing happened."

I leaned in, gently patting his face, "Young man, go back and watch more porn and learn."

With my bag slung over my shoulder, I strutted out of the hotel in my high heels, laughing.

---

Unexpectedly, I was summoned by the police.

I received a call saying I was accused of rape and needed to go to the police station.

As soon as I entered the station, I saw that brat.

I gasped.

Thinking to myself, that brat actually set me up.

I gritted my teeth, glaring at him.

"Valerie, right?" the officer asked.

I nodded, "Yes."

After sitting down, he asked me a few questions.

When he asked if I had raped that brat, I denied it.

Calmly, I said, "Officer, I know this behavior isn't great, but we have a legitimate relationship. You can check where he went after leaving the hotel."

I fiddled with the ring on my middle finger.

"He's been throwing a tantrum because I haven't been seeing him. I'm really sorry."

In the end, we both got a lecture before being released.

I was displeased with him.

I deliberately grabbed his hand, holding it tightly. He struggled in vain, and we left the station looking intimate under the officer's watchful eye.

I pulled him into my car and drove off.

I stopped at a secluded spot.

I looked at him, my eyes filled with anger, my red lips dry and losing their luster. "What do you mean?"

I was dissatisfied with his actions.

"Are you not letting this go? Didn't you already take the two million?" I asked him.

He looked at me seriously, "Just because you paid, I have to accept it?"

I didn't expect him to say that.

Feeling a surge of anger, I laughed, "Young man, that's not very fair of you."

He suddenly laughed, "That's nothing compared to you, putting a price on your body."

His words were full of sarcasm, and even his smile was mocking.

His words pierced my heart.

I used to think the same way, but in our circle, who could remain untouched by the mud?

"Young man, You're still too naive." I smiled at him.

Didn't owe favors to others if you could solve it with money. If you wanted to gain a foothold in this circle, you had to understand this. Sometimes, money was more useful than anything else. Otherwise, how could there be such a saying as "Money makes the world go round"?

I looked into his eyes, clear and untainted by the world.

Stubbornly holding onto his principles.

"Fine, what do you want?" I suddenly asked seriously.

"Turn yourself in," he said coldly.

I pursed my lips, "Impossible."

I glanced out the window, then back at him, "Young man, anything but that."

I suddenly noticed the marks on his neck, thinking, haven't they faded after a week?

"I'll report you again," he said, getting out of the car.

I watched him in disbelief, shouting after him, "Young man, don't blame me for turning against you then."

He didn't respond, walking along the road.

I pouted and drove away.

---

Saffron Bistro.

I had just finished discussing a partnership and exchanged farewells with Patrick before stepping out.

As I settled into the back seat, I glanced out the window and met a pair of familiar eyes filled with resentment.

Narrowing my eyes, I thought to myself, "This kid isn't stalking me, is he?"

"Don't drive yet," I said to my assistant.

My assistant stopped the car which had just started.

I rolled down the window, and a hand rested on the edge.

His expression grew even stranger upon seeing me.

I gestured to him, beckoning him over with a wave of my hand.

He hesitated for a moment before approaching the window.

I smiled softly and said, "Young man, do you know that stalking is illegal?"

He furrowed his brows and looked at me coldly, replying, "And do you know..." He deliberately paused, leaning in close to meet my gaze, "That raping is illegal too?"

His words left me momentarily speechless.

"Young man, you were the one who went back on your word. I gave you a chance, but now you're turning against me. Go ahead and ask around. You can see if the police believe your story or mine," I said assertively.

He was visibly taken aback by my firmness and remained silent.

"Young man, don't be foolish. You can't handle my methods." I continued without looking at him.

With that, I glanced at him and pressed the button to raise the window, shutting him out.

"Drive," I instructed, watching him fade from view in the rearview mirror.

"Valerie, about that young man?"

I glanced at the mirror, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't."

...

Riverstone Hospital.

"Auntie, it's been a while."

"Oh, Valerie, it's been ages!"

"How's your health, Auntie? Feeling better?" I asked with a smile.

We exchanged pleasantries for quite some time.

My phone rang from my bag, and after answering, I excused myself for work.

I took the elevator, not paying attention to the floor, and stepped out.

Realizing my mistake, I looked around and saw I'd exited on the wrong floor.

Turning back, I pressed the elevator button.

As the doors opened, I saw that young man standing there.

He was about to step out when I pulled him back into the elevator with me.

I cornered him in the elevator, just the two of us, with only the sound of the elevator's operation breaking the silence.

I placed my hand on the railing, encircling him. Looking up at him, he leaned back, clearly resisting any contact.

"Young man, why don't you listen to me?" Do you need me to use my methods for you to behave?" I asked, staring into his eyes.

He looked down at me, and I realized he wasn't just aloof but also somewhat arrogant.

"Narcissistic," he sneered.

"Narcissistic?" I asked back and then laughed.

"Then I also have that ability, what can I not have?"

I reached up to touch his face. "Besides, weren't you aware that day?"

He grabbed my hand and pinned me against the railing.

Leaning in, he said with a sharp tone, "Who doesn't want to settle this?"

"You've been stalking me repeatedly. Isn't that your problem?" I retorted, brushing off his hand.

He was quite handsome, with a youthful and innocent face, yet his eyes carried a piercing sharpness.

His eyes seemed to have a certain allure, perhaps what people called innocent yet alluring, though his fiery personality made him a challenge for any woman.

My gaze lingered on his eyes and lips, and a thought crossed my mind, an absurd thought. If he listened to me, I might actually like him. He fitted my standards in many ways.

He noticed my gaze and turned away, refusing to meet my eyes.

I caught onto his thoughts, unable to suppress a slight smile.

I reached up and pulled him down by the neck, whispering in his ear, "Young man. Shall we meet tonight?"

He reacted by pulling away and stepping back.

I grabbed his clothes and slipped something into his pocket before he could react.

I noticed his pale ears had turned pink.

He glared at me and said, "Get lost."

I tilted my head indifferently, while his face was already flushed with anger, yet he couldn't do anything about it.

"I have work now, so I can't play with you," I said with a playful smile. "Next time I catch you, I won't go easy on you."

I walked out of the elevator in my high heels, feeling a bit unsatisfied. That man was quite adorable.

---

Amberwood city center, at a certain company.

I looked at the work on my desk and stretched my neck.

I'd been working overtime for two weeks straight.

After finishing my tasks, I left the company.

As soon as I stepped out, I saw that man again. He was squatting, occasionally glancing around.

I sighed and walked over to him.

"Hey," I called out.

He looked up at me.

"Young man, are you waiting for me?" I asked, looking down at him.

He stood up and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "The business card you gave me," he said, handing it over.

I glanced at the card and said indifferently, "I gave it to you, so keep it."

After a few seconds, I added, "If you don't want it, throw it away. You don't have to come find me."

Just as I finished speaking, he said something that surprised me.

"The number on it doesn't work."

I paused for a moment, looking at him in shock.

"You?" I glanced at the card again, took it from him, and checked it.

"Sorry, I changed my number."

He watched my hand, his eyes darkening slightly.

I found it odd and noticed his expression change subtly. "Young man, you don't think I'm messing with you, do you?" I asked casually.

He met my gaze with cold, emotionless eyes and turned to leave.

I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly caught up to him, grabbing his hand.

"What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," he replied, shaking off my hand.

I matched his pace.

"Young man, I won't waste time like this. My time is precious."

Pretending to walk away, he predictably grabbed my hand.

I stopped and turned to face him.

"Speak up, what's the matter?"

He hesitated, looking shy like a young girl.

After some internal struggle, he reluctantly spoke, "About that matter, let's settle it. Two million."

I laughed at the absurdity.

"Young man, are you mistaken?" I tucked my loose hair behind my ear. "You were the one who went back on your word, and now you have the nerve?" I said with a ridiculous tone.

He bit his lip, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Young man, you know?" I deliberately dragged out my words, "Don't think you'll get a penny from me."

He looked at me, unsure of what to do, revealing a side of him that shouldn't be there.

"I told you before, playing with me comes with a price. I don't know why you're asking for money, but something must have happened at home, right? Everyone has to pay for their actions." I leaned closer to him.

Seeing him speechless, I felt quite pleased.

"I won't keep you. Take care of yourself."

I ignored him and turned to leave.

He didn't follow.

My feelings were mixed as I walked along the riverside promenade.

I only noticed a figure passing by me and blocking my way.

"Young man, what now?" I asked impatiently.

He was panting, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

His words instantly caught my attention.

I thought he must be in a tough spot this time.

"Alright," I agreed readily.

I pondered for a moment, taking my time.

He was anxious but didn't dare rush me.

"Then be my lover."