[warning slightly graphic and blackmail scene here be careful ]
Paul suddenly grabbed her by the throat and forced her backward against the railing.
"See?"
He pushed her just far enough toward the edge to make her realize how little control she had over the situation.
"After all your schemes, you still ended up putting yourself in a position where you sleeping with me."
Virtue struggled against his grip.
Paul continued calmly.
"Yes, I might be no better than my friends. But if you compare my family's status with Sophia's family, I am at least on that exact level. I am certainly not an extra like you, who exists solely to showcase the female lead's brilliance. What a lowlife you are."
His smile became cruel.
"As for me?"
He shrugged.
"My dirty laundry isn't exactly a secret."
His eyes darkened.
"My hands are already stained with blood."
He leaned closer.
"And yet you still thought it was a good idea to test me."
Virtue's fingers clawed at his wrist.
Paul didn't even look bothered.
Keeping her pinned against the ledge, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
His expression was filled with cold amusement as he tapped the screen and held the display up for her to see.
Virtue's expression completely shattered.
Her face went entirely white from the absolute horror of the footage playing before her eyes.
The screen displayed a clear recording of their private encounter, the device continued to emit the lewd, lustful sounds filling the quiet space of the balcony.
It was clear the video was taken from far away, as if someone had already planted the camera in a strategic place to capture the entire scene without ever being seen.
The audio was undeniable. Virtue's voice was heard panting, completely naked on the screen, her hair sticking to her skin as she moved.
Her expression was caught in a striking mix of pain and pure ecstasy, riding the guy below her.
The man's face was not seen clearly, nor was his body—the lens focused entirely on Virtue bouncing up and down, her breathless voice distinctly moaning out Aiden's name over and over again.
Paul ignored the dumbfounded expression on her face the way she shakes her head as if deny it denying she is the one in the video act like a high paid whore.
Paul swiped his thumb across the screen, casually cycling through a series of photographs capturing the humiliating scene from every angle virtue naked and sleeping body covered in marks hickey and bruises filled her skin her leg spread wide open capturing her private part and her body in that lewid post it was humiliating, disgusting as it was erotic at the same time.
Virtue's breath caught.
Paul watched her expression change with obvious satisfaction.
"You recognize it?"
He swiped the screen.
Another image appeared.
Then another.
Her face burned with shock and humiliation.
"When did you—"
Paul swiped again.
"Careful," he murmured. "You might want to think before you finish that sentence the truth might shock you."
Virtue stared at the phone, her confidence disappearing piece by piece.
Paul finally lowered it.
"You threatened to expose me."
His gaze met hers.
"Now ask yourself something."
His voice was almost gentle.
"Who do you think has more to lose?"
The balcony fell silent.
Beyond the glass railing, the lights of the activity hall still glowed below them, students moving through the grounds as if nothing had happened.
Paul's smile returned.
"Choose your next words carefully, Virtue."
He loosened his grip just enough for her to breathe properly.
"Because I'm done playing."
Paul enjoyed the look of horror on Virtue's face.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" he taunted.
"You usually have so much to say. Why aren't you talking now? Go on. Try talking."
He raised his phone, the threat obvious in his eyes.
"I'll spread the video around. Then I'll throw you into a den of beggars. Your family will disown you, and no one will care because they'll think you're nothing but a cheap slut."
His lips curled into a cruel smile.
"But at least you've already used your position as Sophia's friend. So you can be her substitute. You're close to her, aren't you? You should know everything about her."
Paul stepped closer.
"Keep me company, and I won't start by destroying that pretty face of yours. I could carve the word bitch right across it."
Virtue's face went pale.
"Get it?"
Paul watched her shrink back before giving her a look of disgust, as though even standing near her offended him.
Then he turned around and left, leaving Virtue alone.
Across the grounds, the atmosphere was completely different.
Matthew's apartment was quiet.
The lights inside were dim and warm, illuminating the modern living room and the hallway leading toward his bedroom.
Ava stood outside his door.
She looked nothing like the girl who had spent the entire day provoking half of Averis.
She was dressed in a pink silk pajama set consisting of short bottoms and a short-sleeved button-up shirt covered in tiny cat prints. White bunny slippers covered her feet.
Her red hair had been thrown into a messy bun, with a few loose strands framing her face.
In her left hand was a first-aid kit.
She pressed the doorbell.
Once.
Then again.
The door opened.
Ava looked up.
And stopped.
Matthew stood there wearing nothing but grey sweatpants.
He looked as though he'd just stepped out of the shower.
Water still clung to his soft silver-black hair, the layered strands slightly messy from being wet. A few droplets slid from his hair toward his neck.
Then Ava's eyes moved lower.
A dark serpent tattoo curved from the top of his left shoulder, crossing his collarbone before disappearing beneath his chest.
The tattoo was incredibly detailed.
Dark scales covered the serpent's body before gradually fading into thin geometric patterns toward its tail.
Its head rested near his collarbone, fangs slightly exposed.
Under the apartment's soft lighting, the design gave Matthew an even more dangerous appearance.
Unfortunately for Ava, it also made him annoyingly attractive.
She had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.
Instead, her gaze became stuck somewhere considerably lower.
Matthew noticed.
Of course he did.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He leaned closer.
The clean scent of soap mixed with his natural scent, surrounding her.
Ava's cheeks immediately turned pink.
"You're blushing," Matthew whispered.
He reached out and gently moved a loose strand of red hair away from her face.
Then he straightened.
Ava quickly shoved the first-aid kit into his hand.
Before he could say anything, she pulled out her phone from her pajama pocket.
Click.
She took a picture.
Matthew stared at her.
"Even with an injured hand, you still know how to behave like a pervert."
He leaned lazily against the wall.
Ava lowered her phone.
"I have my priorities straight."
She winked.
"And you look damn edible."
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm."
He tilted his head.
"Flirting with me when you don't have a nosebleed?"
Ava blinked.
Then she instinctively touched her nose.
Nothing.
Her eyes widened.
She slowly looked back at him.
Matthew was smirking.
Ava narrowed her eyes.
"Nicely played."
She slipped her phone back into her pocket.
"Anyway, I won't bicker with you."
Her entire demeanor suddenly changed.
Her shoulders dropped.
Her expression softened.
The mischievous spark in her eyes disappeared.
She clasped her injured hand gently against her chest and looked up at Matthew with wide, innocent eyes.
"I need your help."
Her voice became quieter.
Almost fragile.
"Would you please bandage my hand?"
She took one small step closer.
"I'm just a helpless little girl all alone…"
Her lower lip pushed forward into the faintest pout.
"All I need is a strong man to help me."
She even tilted her head slightly, widening her eyes as though she had never done anything wrong in her entire life.
It was almost absurd.
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
He knew exactly what she was doing.
Ava was putting on the softest version of herself.
Her movements became smaller.
Her voice became sweet.
Her posture deliberately delicate.
Even the way she held her injured hand made her look like someone who couldn't possibly cause trouble.
It was her imitation of that perfectly gentle, innocent, harmless type of girl—the kind who spoke softly, looked vulnerable, and made everyone instinctively want to protect her.
A white-lotus performance.
And Ava was enjoying every second of it.
Matthew stared at her.
"And if I don't?"
Ava's innocent expression vanished for half a second.
Then the pout returned.
"I'll sit outside your door…"
She clasped her hands behind her back.
"And sing."
Matthew's eyes narrowed.
"Ava."
"In a very loud voice."
She smiled sweetly.
"I can sing until the whole building knows your name."
Matthew stared at her for a long moment.
Then he stepped aside.
"Get in."
Ava's eyes immediately lit up.
Her helpless little-girl act disappeared so quickly it was almost impressive.
"Good boy!"
She jumped forward and planted a quick kiss against his cheek.
Then she darted inside.
Matthew stood at the doorway, staring after her.
"Careful, shorty don't fall."
His voice carried a faint laugh.
"I don't want to end up having to nurse you too."
Ava stopped.
She slowly turned around.
Then lifted her injured hand carefully
And gave him the middle finger.
Matthew's lips curved upward.
"There she is."
Ava practically launched herself onto the couch, grabbing one of the pillows and hugging it against her chest.
Matthew took his time walking toward her.
The towel was still draped over one hand, his damp silver-black hair leaving faint droplets along his neck.
He tossed the towel onto the back of the couch before disappearing into the kitchen.
"Do you want me to dry your hair for you, baby?" Ava called loudly from the living room.
"Nope."
His answer came without hesitation.
Ava's mouth dropped open.
Two minutes later, Matthew returned carrying a plate piled with neatly sliced fruit—apples, strawberries, grapes, melon, and several others—along with a glass of juice.
He placed everything on the coffee table before crouching in front of her.
Without saying anything, he picked up a toothpick, speared a piece of fruit and held it toward her mouth.
Ava's eyes lit up.
She happily ate it.
Then another.
And another.
By the fifth piece, Matthew was smiling as he picked up a slice of apple.
"Ava."
She opened her mouth for the apple.
Then Matthew's gaze dropped.
His eyes settled on the bandaged hand he was holding.
Ava followed his gaze.
She nearly choked.
Matthew was gripping her supposedly injured hand firmly, yet she hadn't felt even the slightest bit of pain.
"What a drama queen."
His voice was soft, almost amused.
"You fake an injury, act like a saint in front of the media, give speeches, make half the capital country sit on pins and needles, and now you're probably going to give another speech tomorrow at the post-event party."
He slowly released her hand.
Then he stood from his crouched position and took the seat opposite her.
He crossed one leg over the other, rested his head against one hand and stared at her with detached amusement.
He looked almost bored.
Almost.
As though he were patiently waiting for whatever nonsense she was about to come up with.
Ava immediately pouted.
"How can you scheme against your dear friend?"
She picked up the juice and took a leisurely sip.
"I only acted injured to win a sympathy card for you and to deal with someone."
"So it wasn't that Jennie girl who hurt you, but you used what happened to her?" Matthew began He didn't get to finish.
Ava suddenly pounced.
She pushed him backward against the couch and pinned both his hands above his head.
"How do you know her, handsome?" she demanded, narrowing her eyes dramatically. "I'm getting jealous. You've been asking so much about her. Is that why you're interrogating me?"
Before Matthew could answer, Ava leaned down and gave his collarbone a playful bite.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"Ava."
His voice remained remarkably calm.
"You're such a bully."
He easily looked down at her.
"I only know her name. I don't know the girl."
His tone remained casual.
"My family has business there, so of course what you did last night alerted everyone and caught people resources and some want to use these to have the pie all eyes are on yo . Besides, the story spreading through certain circles is that the girl hurt you."
He paused.
"I don't know her. And it was obvious she wasn't the person behind the blade incident. If she had been, everything would have pointed directly to her."
His voice had taken on a slightly huskier edge as Ava continued nibbling at his collarbone.
"Oh."
Ava finally lifted her head.
"She wasn't the one."
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
"She actually messed with my piano, so I messed with them."
Ava tilted her head innocently.
"And God works in mysterious ways. Someone attacked me, and I used it to my advantage. So, at the end of the day, I benefited, didn't I?"
Matthew stared at her for a moment.
"So you're just going to let the person go?"
He caught her around the waist and effortlessly lifted her off him, placing her back in her original spot on the couch.
Then he moved away.
Far away.
Ava stared at him.
Her lips slowly turned downward.
She gave him the most wounded puppy look she could manage.
Matthew ignored it.
He didn't trust that pervert for a second.
Given half the opportunity, Ava would find some excuse to get her hands on him again.
"Ehh?"
Ava looked offended.
"If that person attacked once, they'll do it again very soon."
She scooted slightly in his direction.
Matthew shifted farther away.
Ava blinked.
"Why are you shifting away from me?"
She looked genuinely confused.
"I don't eat humans, you know."
Matthew gave her a flat look.
"You're not exactly reassuring me."
Ava ignored that.
"You still have to bandage my wound."
She raised her wrapped hand dramatically.
"I told everyone it's a serious injury, so I have to act the part."
Matthew stared at the bandage.
Then at her.
Then back at the bandage.
"Ava…"
She extended her hand toward him with an exaggeratedly pitiful expression.
"Please?"
Her voice became softer.
Almost painfully sweet.
Matthew's eyes narrowed.
He already knew that expression.
The little angel act was back.
And judging from the mischievous glint hiding behind those innocent eyes, he suspected he was about to regret helping her.
Matthew sighed and finally got up.
He reached for Ava's old bandage, preparing to remove it.
Ava instinctively tried to dodge his hand.
"Don't move."
"I wasn't moving."
"You literally just moved."
Ava pouted but eventually held still.
The injury wasn't completely fake.
The sharp object had genuinely cut her palm, though the wound wasn't serious. On her otherwise smooth palm, however, the small cut looked rather unpleasant.
Matthew quietly cleaned it, his movements slow and careful. Once he was satisfied, he wrapped a fresh bandage around her hand and secured it neatly.
Just as he finished, Ava's phone rang.
She picked it up and answered immediately.
"What is it?"
She put the call on speaker.
"How is your hand?" Luis asked.
Ava stared at the phone.
"Ohhh. Are you an impostor? Since when do you care?"
"Quit being annoying and answer me."
Luis's voice was filled with impatience.
"Mom called me. She said she already contacted your assistant, but she wanted to be sure herself. And obviously Dad isn't going to ruin his negotiations just because his daughter got herself injured, so he told me to call you instead."
Happy Monday guys