Chapter 612 Seduction
"Why didn't you bandage it right?" Celeste rushed over, but just as she was about to touch him, Michael grabbed her wrist.
His hand was burning hot, and his grip was so strong it almost hurt. He slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes swirling with emotions she couldn't read. "Do you even care?"
Celeste's breath caught.
Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a silver glow on Michael's silhouette.
He knelt in front of Celeste, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek. "You've lost weight."
Those simple words made Celeste's eyes sting with tears. She turned her face away, not wanting him to see her vulnerability. "Why did you call me back? What do you want?"
Michael didn't answer. Instead, he leaned in, his warm breath tickling her ear. "I missed you."
The words were as light as a feather, but hit Celeste's heart like a ton of bricks.
Her rational mind screamed that this was a trap. He never said things like this. But her body betrayed her, going limp as his lips pressed against her neck.
"Michael," she whispered his name, trembling, as if to confirm this wasn't a dream.
Michael's kiss deepened, shifting from gentle to possessive, as if he wanted to consume her whole. His hand slid down her waist, his fingertips carrying an irresistible allure.
"Help me," he whispered in her ear, his voice uncharacteristically vulnerable. "Only you can help me."
Celeste knew he was using her.
But she didn't care.
The morning sunlight stung Celeste's eyes.
She slowly opened them, finding the space beside her empty. Only the rumpled sheets and the faint scent of cedar proved that last night wasn't a dream.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Celeste sat up, wrapping the blanket around herself, and noticed a note on the nightstand:
"8 PM, Rose Garden."
The handwriting was unmistakably Michael's.
Celeste's fingers gently traced the note, a smile tugging at her lips. She knew it was foolish, but she couldn't refuse him.
The door burst open, and Zachary stood in the doorway, his face dark with anger. "So you are here!"
Celeste hurriedly pulled the blanket higher. "How did you get in?"
"Michael's bodyguards know me." Zachary strode forward, grabbing her shoulders. "Celeste, wake up! He's using you!"
Celeste shook off his hand. "I know."
"You know and still..."
"I don't care." Celeste lifted her head, her gaze unwavering. "This is my choice."
Zachary stood there, stunned as if struck by lightning.
After a long moment, he let out a bitter laugh. "You're hopeless."
As night fell, the Rose Garden was filled with the rich scent of flowers.
Celeste stood by the central fountain, wearing a white dress. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her, making her look almost ethereal.
"Right on time," Michael's voice came from behind her.
Celeste turned to see him, dressed in a suit, his usual cold and aloof demeanor back in place, as if the vulnerable man from last night had never existed.
Her heart sank a little, but she forced a smile. "What do you need me to do?"
Michael walked closer, lifting her chin with his fingers. "Smart girl."
He pulled a delicate brooch from his pocket and pinned it to her collar. "Use your skills to do something for me."
Celeste looked down at the brooch, a diamond-encrusted rose with a strange red glow at its center.
"What is this?"
"A listening device."
Wanda stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the hotel penthouse, swirling a glass of red wine, a cold smile on her lips.
"Emma, you think you can win?" she murmured, her eyes gleaming with madness.
She set down the glass and picked up her phone, dialing a number. "Is everything ready?"
A respectful voice answered on the other end. "Ms. Salazar, everything is going according to plan."
Wanda hung up, satisfied, and walked to the vanity. In the mirror, her face was almost identical to Emma's, the same eyes, the same features, even the same curve of the lips.
"If you love being Mrs. Russell so much," she said, picking up a lipstick and writing "Emma" on the mirror before viciously crossing it out, "then I'll let you have it."
In the hotel suite, Emma was engrossed in the documents she had found in Wanda's room. George stood by the window, his fingers swiftly moving over his tablet, his brow furrowed.
"It seems Ms. Salazar has quite the obsession with Mr. Russell," Emma said, pointing to the photos on the wall. "Mr. Russell sure has a way with women."
George walked over. "Emma, you know I..."
Before he could finish, a piercing alarm sounded in the hallway.
"What's going on?" Emma looked up sharply.
George quickly moved to the door, peering through the peephole. Security guards were knocking on doors, checking each room.
"Something's wrong." He grabbed his coat. "We need to leave."
Emma followed George down the emergency stairs.
As they exited the hotel, police cars with flashing lights sped past the street corner.
"Strange," Emma frowned. "Why so many cops all of a sudden?"
George scanned the area, his eyes catching the electronic billboard displaying a wanted notice with Emma's face.
"Emma," he grabbed her wrist, his voice urgent. "Don't look back. Just follow me."
Emma's heart raced as George pulled her through the crowd. "What's happening?"
George led her into a narrow alley, ensuring they were alone before speaking. "You're wanted."
"What?" Emma's eyes widened in disbelief. "I didn't do anything!"
George showed her the news on his phone. The headline read "Emma Suspected of Stealing Trade Secrets," with a surveillance photo of her entering the hotel that morning.
"It's Wanda," George said through gritted teeth. "She used your resemblance to frame you."
Emma's fingers trembled. "She's insane."
George's expression hardened. "She's been insane for a long time."
The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder.
"They're getting closer," Emma whispered, her breath quickening.
George's gaze locked onto her face. Suddenly, he cupped the back of her head and pulled her towards him.
"Don't move," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous.
The next moment, George's lips were on hers.
Emma's eyes widened, her mind going blank. His kiss was intense and consuming, erasing all her fear and uncertainty.
Her body reacted before her mind could catch up, her hands gripping his shoulders, her fingers digging into his shirt.
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