"I''ve got something else to do!"


    "Just ten minutes. No, five minutes. Even three minutes, okay? Please?" "Fine, three minutes."


    As Micah spoke, someone pushed the door open.


    Sadie pushed Mason away in a panic, but it was already toote. The folks at the door caught sight of Sadie and Mason and werepletely taken aback!


    At that moment, Sadie was perched provocatively on the couch, her outfit revealing more than intended, while Mason loomed over her with his hands bracing the armrests, his body arching like a bow... Their poses, their proximity, the whole scene smoldered with suggestion!


    And just as the door swung open, a draft lifted her precariously open dress, exposing her thighs.


    The atmosphere instantly froze over as if the air itself had turned to ice.


    Sadie could almost feel the murderous re in Micah''s eyes charging toward her like an army. Her heart pounded as if ready to burst from her chest while she frantically adjusted her dress. "Oops, didn''t know you were here. Sorry to interrupt. Carry on, carry on!"


    Amelia''s words came at just the right moment, reigniting the tension.


    The mes in Micah''s eyes seemed ready to spew forth...


    "Let''s go, Micah. Let''s not disturb them," Amelia said, chuckling as she pulled at Micah.


    Micah roughly shook off her hand and strode forward.


    To Sadie, it felt as if a predatory beast was advancing on her. She rushed to stand up from the couch, her heels wobbling, nearly causing her to fall.


    "Careful!" Mason caught her just in time.


    Sadie hastily pulled away, stepped back, and stammered, "We... I—"


    "Misunderstand? Just talking?" Mason interjected, seeing Sadie''s panic. Despite his difort, he tried to rify.


    "Really?" Micah''s gaze was cold and piercing as he ran a finger over her silky garment, a scornful sneer ying on his lips. "Dressed like this... just talking?"


    "This dress..."


    "The hall is vast. Nowhere is off-limits for a conversation," Amelia interjected, her graceful stride taking her into the room. "But I have a feeling you two were doing more than just talking, right?" "Are you telling me you didn''t n this whole outfit thing?" Sadie red at her, seething.


    ''use me all you want, but I won''t let Mason take the fall!''


    "Sure, I set it up, but you had to be willing to wear it!" Amelia raised an eyebrow, herugh chilly. "What did I do? Hold a knife to your throat and force you into it?" "You-"


    "She''s right," Micah cut Sadie off, seizing her cheek with a rough grip. "If you act trashy, don''t me others!"


    Sadie''s eyes widened in shock; she never expected Micah tosh out at her like that.


    Trashy? Who was the one pursuing her relentlessly?


    "Let her go!"


    Mason moved to push Micah away but was knocked down with a solid punch to the ground.


    "Ah! Mason..." Sadie cried out and rushed to his side, only to be seized by Micah with a grip so tight it felt like her bones were nearly crushed.


    "Let me go!" Sadie struggled furiously.


    Meanwhile, Masony there, blood streaming from his nose.


    Amelia and Victoria were terrified, their faces pale as they stood silently, barely daring to breathe.


    Andrew, who was waiting by the door, quickly entered and shut it.


    "Micah, have you lost your mind?!" Sadie roared, furious, "If you''ve got a problem, take it out on me! Why hit him?"


    "Does that hurt you?" Micah demanded, his fingers digging into the back of her head. He pushed her in front of him, his words like venom. "What did you promise me, huh?"