Chapter 921

The next morning.

Sunlight peeked into the room as Maria groggily opened her eyes, only to realize she was clinging to Sidney like an octopus.

The memories of last night came rushing back like a tide.

A cold glint flickered in her eyes as she turned onto her back.

Sidney stirred, glanced at her, and said, "Last night..."

Maria cut him off, "Last night, someone deliberately set me up."

Sidney nodded. "I'll help you."

Maria's eyelashes fluttered slightly before she suddenly asked, "Why?"

"What?" Sidney looked momentarily taken aback.

Maria fixed her gaze on him, her expression serious and clear. "Why did you stay last night? And now, why are you offering to help me?" Sidney's face tightened.

After a brief pause, he finally said, "You didn't let me leave last night."

Maria blinked, then unexpectedly laughed. She sat up swiftly, straddling his waist.

"Sidney, you're lying."

Her fingers traced lightly over his chest. "Last night, I told you to stop. So why didn't you let me go?"

At that moment, they were both completely bare, and her bold movement caused the covers to slip, revealing her pale skin.

The red marks scattered across her body stood out like blooming crimson flowers, rising and falling with each breath.

Sidney's breath hitched, his eyes instinctively catching a glimpse of her exposed skin.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he muttered, "I wasn't lying."

Maria clearly noticed the change in him, and she leaned forward slightly, brushing against him teasingly, her touch both light and suggestive. Sidney squeezed his eyes shut tightly. "Get off."

But Maria didn't budge. Her nose brushed along his cheek as she whispered, "Is it really so hard to admit you like me?"

Sidney remained silent, his mind a mess, just as it had been since last night.

He couldn't explain why.

The room was quiet for a long while. When Maria saw he wasn't responding, her interest in continuing suddenly evaporated. "Forget it."

She slipped off of him, saying coldly, "I'm not interested in your feelings anyway."

With that, she turned to leave the bed.

But suddenly, something tightened around her waist, and before she knew it, Maria was pinned down onto the bed. "You..."

Maria was startled and tried to turn around, but Sidney's strength was overwhelming. He held her down, leaving her helplessly sprawled on the bed, forced to endure.

Despite her earlier teasing, her body responded in the most tivere way yielding asily to his f . Content belong "Sidney, you bastard..." Maria muttered softly, cursing him under her breath.

Sidney remained silent, his lips trailing kisses along her neck and shoulders as the covers slipped away. An hour later.

Maria lay exhausted on the bed, too drained to even lift a finger.

From the bathroom, the sound of running water echoed-it was Sidney, showering.

"Hmph..."

Her body had been honest, after all.

She closed her eyes, resting for a while before finally getting up and walking to the bathroom door.

"I need a shower too."

Not long after, the door swung open.

Sidney, caught off guard, was greeted by the sight of her standing there, e, completely bare, her body now marked with even more tra how of their encounter.

His gaze darkened as he silently stepped aside.

Maria, uninterested in acknowledging him, walked past and entered the bathroom.

Sidney left, downing a glass of cold water to calm himself.

Looking at the mess of the room, his brows furrowed tightly.

Something felt off...

It seemed like things were heading in a direction he could no longer control.

Just then, his phone began to ring.

Chapter 922 Sidney glanced at his phone-it was Fawn.

Since he'd turned her down last time, she hadn't contacted him.

Why was she suddenly calling now?

"Hello, Miss Powell," he answered, keeping his tone polite.

Fawn's voice was serious. "Where are you right now?"

Sidney asked, "Is there something you need, Miss Powell?"

"There is. It's important!" Fawn's voice grew sharper. "Your former boss, she's not as innocent as she seems. I saw her last night checking into a hotel with an old man. Sidney, don't let her fool you!"

Sidney's brow furrowed immediately.

"Do you have proof, Miss Powell?"

"I saw it with my own eyes! How about this-I'll send you the location. Come see for yourself, and you'll know I'm not lying."

Sidney responded, "Alright, send it over."

Last night, Maria had been with him the entire time.

And before he showed up, there had been an old man in that room.

Maria had clearly been set up.

And now, this call from Fawn... It was hard not to suspect she was involved.

Fawn continued, "I'll send it now. Come quickly."

She hung up right after, and moments later, his phone buzzed with a text.

It was the exact hotel they were in-complete with the room number.

Sidney's expression darkened further.

Maria emerged from the bathroom, catching sight of his troubled look.

"What's wrong?" she asked, puzzled.

Sidney hesitated before explaining everything to her.

"Tch!" Maria scoffed, a cold smirk playing on her lips. "It's clear now who set me up. I'm sure you've figured it out too."

She walked over, taking his phone and glancing at the message.

After thinking for a moment, she typed out a reply and sent it.

Sidney watched her actions silently, not stopping her.

Maria sat on the couch, her expression calm.

"Wait for it," she said. "She'll be here soon."

Sure enough, about half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.

Maria glanced at Sidney, gesturing toward the door with her chin. "Go on, open it."

Sidney, now fully dressed, walked over and opened the door.

Fawn stood there, her face twisted in frustration Her gaze quickly swept the Sidneyom, landing first on then on Maria, who was lounging on the couch in a bathrobe. The room was a mess-clothes scattered across the carpet, hinting at exactly what had happened the night before.

How could this be?

Last night, wasn't Maria supposed to be with that disgusting old man?

Why was Sidney here instead?

Unable to hold back her frustration, Fawn blurted out, "Why are you here?"

Sidney looked at her with a mixture of disappointment and confusion. "Why did you do this?"

"What?" Fawn was taken aback, not expecting the question.

Maria stood up and walked over to her.

Without warning, she slapped Fawn across the face.

Fawn screamed, clutching her cheek in disbelief. "How dare you hit me?"

Maria calmly slapped her again. "I did hit you. What are you going to do about it?"

Fawn's face stung with pain, her expression now a mixture of shock and anger. Her eyes burned with hatred as she glared at Maria.

Maria's voice was cold. "It seems your parents were right. Someone like you is only fit to be used for a transaction, not worthy of real love."

swr "I'll make you pay!" Fawn screamed, her composure completely shattered The thought of her plan failing, and the fact that she would now be forced to marry that old man filled her with despair. She felt like her entire life had been tuined.

With a cry, she lunged at Maria.

Maria frowned, stepping back a couple of paces.

Before Fawn could reach her, Sidney swiftly grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.