Chapter 1684


    Daniel''s smile couldn''t entirely mask his imposing presence, which still managed to unsettle Maisie. He


    gently held


    her hand, understanding her unspoken reason for being there.


    "Don''t worry. I was just curious," he assured her, meeting her gaze. "Maisie, are you... still afraid of


    me?"


    "Still?" Maisie questioned, puzzled. "Was I afraid of you before?"


    Daniel fell silent, his thoughts taking him back in time.


    The old Maisie had indeed been fearful of him. She had been worried he might be tired of her,


    stop supporting


    her family, or cast her out on a whim. As such, she had been meticulous, going to great lengths to


    please him. Even


    in bed, she had yielded to his every desire, striving to amodate his every whim.


    Back then, he had been enamored with her, seeing her as the most submissive and obedient woman


    he had ever


    met. Looking back, he now realized his affection had been more like a master''s fondness for a


    submissive pet.


    Daniel gazed at her once more, the rity in her eyes tugging at his heartstrings. He held her tightly


    and said


    hoarsely, "Maisie, should we get married?"


    His unexpected proposal dissolved Maisie''s doubts and fears. She smiled and tenderly caressed his


    broad back.


    "After we''re married, you can pursue your dreams, and I''ll wholeheartedly support you," Daniel assured


    her.


    "Really?" Maisie leaned into his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. She yfully asked, "But don''t


    men usually


    want their wives to stay home and care for the family?"


    "You don''t have to do that for me," Daniel said. "You only need to follow your passions. If you ever grow


    tired or


    weary, remember that I''ll be your sanctuary."


    "You''re quite unique, sir," she remarked with a yful smile.


    "Sir? Didn''t you say I''m not old?" Daniel teased.


    Maisie snuggled closer to him, and her soft lips identally brushed his neck, sending a shiver down


    his spine.


    "Maisie..."


    Desire red in Daniel''s eyes, his voice grew huskier, and his hands began to explore her body.


    Maisie resisted his advances slightly, but her resistance only seemed to excite him. Daniel smiled and


    leaned in for


    a deep kiss.


    "Mmph—"


    Maisie''s heart raced, her body on fire. She clutched his neck while he held her slender waist with one


    hand, their


    lips locked in a passionate embrace.


    At that moment, all that consumed Daniel''s thoughts was his longing for her.


    His possessive and aggressive demeanor triggered a distant memory in Maisie. Her mind briefly


    nked, and she


    vaguely recalled a simr situation from her past, where a man had forced himself upon her in a car,


    like a


    conquering general...


    "Ah!" she screamed and began to struggle fiercely, this time with a determination and force she had


    lacked before.


    Taken aback, Daniel released her, attempting to hold her to soothe her. However, Maisie''s struggle was


    intense,


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    marked by tears and cries. He could only wait for her to calm down on her own.


    "Maisie..." His eyes showed genuine concern, like an imprable fog that wouldn''t lift. "Maisie, what''s


    wrong?"