Mina stared at the man's well-defined hand, momentarily stunned.

The door was pushed open.

Uncle William turned to look. A man stood outside the door.

Everyone in the room froze simultaneously.

It was Marcus Valentine's assistant. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Mina's face. "Mr. Valentine is dining next door and asked me to check on you. Miss Sherwood, are you alright?"

Uncle William's pupils constricted.

He snapped his head toward Mina.

He had assumed Mr. Valentine had no interest in Mina, which is why he brought her to entertain Mr. Locsitant. But now Mr. Valentine had personally sent someone to inquire...

Could it be that Mr. Valentine was interested in her?

Mina hadn't expected Marcus's assistant to specifically ask about her either. But she quickly realized this was a perfect opportunity to leverage the situation.

She immediately seized the moment, a slight smile touching her lips. "I'm perfectly fine, please assure Mr. Valentine. I was just discussing a collaboration with Uncle Liu and my uncle. Isn't that right, Uncle Liu?"

Mr. Locsitant was sweating profusely.

After the main branch of the Sherwood family took power, they had been suppressing the second branch. He had only dared to disrespect the second branch to show his loyalty to the main branch.

He couldn't afford to offend any of the five major families in New York!

With Mr. Valentine involved, how could he dare cause trouble? He immediately plastered on a smile. "Yes, yes! I was just discussing business with my dear niece! Do you have the contract?"

Mina looked at her uncle.

Uncle William hurriedly pulled out the contract. "Right here, right here."

Mr. Locsitant signed without another word, then offered an apologetic smile to Mina. "My dear niece, your uncle and I are like brothers! You're like my own niece! I just remembered I have another appointment, I must be going!"

Mr. Locsitant fled swiftly.

Uncle William wiped the cold sweat from his brow, tentatively asking, "My dear niece, you and Mr. Valentine..."

Mina lowered her eyes. "We're just friends, Uncle, please don't overthink it. The contract is signed, I'll take my leave now."

Reaching the door, she suddenly turned back.

Uncle William immediately understood. "Don't worry, dear niece. I'll withdraw the lawsuit regarding your friend's company contract..."

Leveraging Marcus's influence today was precisely for this matter. Worried about delaying Grace, she immediately said, "No, don't withdraw it."

Uncle William was stunned. "Not withdraw it? Aren't you and her best friends? You..."

Mina fabricated a reason on the spot. "We were best friends. But she blocked me over some man. Why do you think I got close to her? I want to see her cry in despair after she's abandoned. Uncle, please don't interfere in this."

Uncle William seemed to half-understand, but seeing Mina's gritted teeth, he could only nod. "Alright, don't worry. I won't interfere."

Mina pulled the door open and stepped out.

The private room door closed behind her. She took a deep breath. Her head was still spinning, her body felt weak, but she forced herself to stay rational. She absolutely could not collapse here.

She turned to leave but froze abruptly on the spot.

Marcus Valentine stood right beside her, his brow furrowed tightly. He had clearly overheard the entire conversation.

Marcus had seen Mina passing by and noticed her anxious, distressed expression.

He had blocked the closing door, then felt he was overstepping, so he sent his assistant in to help.

He hadn't expected Mina to directly leverage his influence.

If it was just about signing a contract, he didn't mind being used once. Business was like war, and Mina was quite beautiful...

But she had used his influence to target her own cousin, Grace!

Marcus's favorable impression of her instantly plummeted to freezing point.

He had originally thought Mina was just foolish, fooling around with Grace. Now it seemed this woman was both stupid and vicious! To do this to her own best friend!

Marcus had always valued loyalty and hated backstabbers the most.

His eyes turned icy, a sarcastic smirk curling his lips. He abruptly pulled Mina into his arms.

Mina crashed against his solid chest, her head spinning from the impact.

The drug's effects were gradually taking hold. She tried to shake her head to stay clear. "You..."

Marcus leaned down, his mouth near her ear. "For what just happened, how will you repay me?"

His warm breath brushed her ear.

Mina shuddered, her body's reaction intensifying.

She went completely soft against Marcus, her gaze dazed. Her hands suddenly wrapped around his neck...

Marcus's body stiffened.

He had only meant to scare her, but this woman had directly latched onto him?

He was about to push her away when he heard Mina murmur, "Marcus, I like you so much..."

Marcus sneered. "How many people have you said that to?"

Mina giggled and held up one finger.

But her vision was blurry.

She meant to hold up one finger, but saw several. Puzzled, she said, "So many..."

Marcus's face turned cold. "Mina, you look innocent, but you play around this much in private?"

Mina could no longer hear him clearly, just nuzzled into his chest. "Marcus, I'm so hot."

She undid a button, revealing her delicate collarbone.

Marcus's breath hitched.

He was no gentleman and had long been interested in that face and figure. Now she was offering herself up...

Besides, Mina wasn't a good woman anyway. What harm was there in having some fun with her!

Marcus bent down, swept Mina into his arms, and carried her into the adjacent private room.

He placed her on the sofa, then leaned over her. Touching her burning skin, Marcus finally realized something was wrong...