Chapter 1373


    Ian rose to his feet, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.


    "Did you know," he began after a few seconds, "that seven floors down, it''s all my turf?"


    Maja was taken aback. "???"


    The truth was, she had no idea.


    With a p of his hands, Ian summoned two men who looked like bodyguards from outside.


    "Go find the phone. If it’s broken, get it fixed, and bring it back to me when it''s as good as new."


    Feeling uneasy, Maja instinctively wanted to protect Phelps''s secrets. She couldn''t exin her own


    behavior, feeling like a puppet on strings.


    Ian''s fingers grazed her head gently, helping her into her clothes.


    She was at a loss for words, overwhelmed with guilt and fear, and deep inside, she felt a sharp,


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    piercing pain.


    The bodyguards returned after ten minutes with a report.


    "Mr. Raymond, the phone was found quite a distance away. It''s been taken for repairs," one of them


    informed.


    Ian nodded, lighting a cigarette with his fingertips, and called for his private doctor.


    After examining Maja, the doctor’s brow furrowed.


    "Ms. Pennyfeather''s vitals are all normal, she seems quite healthy," he announced.


    Leaning against the nearby window, cigarette in hand, Ian''s tone was casual. "You may leave. Get


    someone who understands psychology."


    The underground fight club was brimming with talent, including a psychologist.


    After conversing with Maja for ten minutes, the psychologist went to report to Ian.


    "If Ms. Pennyfeather truly loved you before, it seems she''s under some kind of control now."


    He pointed to his head, "She doesn''t even realize what she''s doing. She''s highly dependent on


    whoever is giving hermands. If it weren''t for ast shred of consciousness, she would have


    suggests she''s deeply in love with you. It’s very likely she''s been hypnotized by a master hypnotist."


    "How good?" Ian was unfamiliar with hypnosis, but at the mention of her love, his eyes instantly


    reddened.


    To an outsider, the current Maja might seem outrageous, sending messages to Phelps behind his back,


    even covering for him. Yet, this was the best she could do after a desperate struggle.


    She had tried her best, but how could she alone fight against so many?


    Phelps''s willingness to let her return spoke volumes about his confidence in the hypnosis.


    Ian took a deep drag from his cigarette, tasting nothing but bitterness.


    "Mr. Raymond, the world''s most skilled hypnotists can create a perfect dream with the aid of drugs.


    Without life-altering shock, she won''t wake up. Now, she''ll cling to the one whomands her,


    mistaking it for love. Deep down, she might feel sorry for you and even guilty; she''s tormented inside.


    Sadly, she''s unaware of her suffering, much like an addict who feels remorse with every moment of


    rity, but once ensnared, sees the world in chaos."


    He spoke while observing Maja, seated on the bed, d in a white velvet loungewear, looking innocent


    and docile.


    "What kind of life-altering shock are you referring to?" Ian asked, his voice hoarse as he tossed away


    the cigarette butt.


    "Well, it would probably take her nearly losing her life to possibly snap out of it. But could you bear


    that?"


    Of course, he couldn''t. That''s precisely why Phelps had dared to send her back.


    Given Ian''s nature, he would have preferred to keep her safe and cherished, never risking her getting


    hurt.


    "Is there no other way?"