Dangerous Desire The CEO’s Hidden Woman

Skyler closed his lips and said, “I know how hard these things have been on you, Scarlett. I want to make sure you’re okay. And do whatever I can to help you.”

Scarlett put her arm around his shoulder and said, “I don’t care what others think of me; I only care about what you think and feel. As long as you know the truth, nothing else really matters to me. You know that, right?”

Skyler looked up at her and said seriously, “I’ll always respect your choice, and I mean it.” Skyler knew his sister very well, no matter how difficult things got, Scarlett had never done anything that would compromise her dignity. She had the utmost self-control and respect for herself.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Scarlett was kind of intimidated by the serious look on his face, “Hey, chill out. You sound so serious… like I’m dying or something. Relax, okay?”

Skyler looked helpless. He knew that humor and self-mockery were some of the greatest defenses against pain, but he also knew that Scarlett was truly soft and vulnerable on the inside.

“So, I just wanted to let you know, I also have this friend who majored in comp sci and knew a bunch about hacking into systems who’s infiltrating the school website right this moment. Apparently, the people who posted stuff about me on the school website didn’t do so from an IP address based on campus….”

Scarlett’s eyes widened, “It all happened not long after I met Claire, so I have reasons to believe that it was all her doing.”

Skyler said seriously, “You know, I thought about that. It’s not her.”

Scarlett was shocked and asked, “What? Who do you think it is then? Tell me.”

“When did Claire find out about your relationship with Francis?”

“After Carlos was born, we ran into them at the mall.”

“Yeah, I remember you told me about that. So who do you think took those pictures of you at restaurants with Francis? Claire didn’t know about what was going on way back then, so it couldn’t be her. I don’t know… that’s just what I think.”

“Could someone have sold the pictures to her?” Scarlett asked.

“Who could that have been? Do you think it’s possible that some reporters were able to get into the restaurant? Like, paparazzi, you know? I don’t know, but based on the angles of some of the shoots, it seems like they were taken by people who would have been or at least were posing as regular customers…” Skyler said, analyzing the information he had.

Scarlett started thinking about who would do that. She felt so close to the truth, but she couldn’t figure it all out by herself.

“This person must have known about your relationship with Francis… how else would they have been able to figure out the exact date, time, and location of your date? I mean, it’s an upscale restaurant, too… it’s not like just anyone could have gotten in. It seems like it would have been premeditated.” Skyler paused, “Who do you think could meet all these conditions?”

“Vivian Patel!” Scarlett said firmly.

“Who is that?” he asked.

“Francis’s ex-wife! Not long ago, Francis drove her to bankruptcy!” Scarlett said as her eyes glittered wildly.

“Wow, it sounds like Francis has many enemies…” Skyler said cautiously.

Scarlett took a look at Carlos and thought to herself that Vivian was trying to harm her family. If Francis and Chuck weren’t working together, who knew what would have happened to Carlos by now?

***

“Go to hell, Vivian! I really can’t bear her anymore. I want her gone. I want her out of my life.” Scarlett said, her eyes full of anger and hatred.

“Don’t be impulsive! And don’t do anything stupid to ruin your happiness now because of others. That’s exactly what they are expecting you’ll do!” Skyler looked up at her. He knew what she was thinking.

“I was the one who asked Francis to spare her because I was pregnant with Carlos then. As for Francis, he didn’t even mind. After all, he already had too much blood on his hands.” Scarlett said.

“Scarlett, remember that it wasn’t easy for you to get to where you are now! So don’t do anything stupid! You could lose it all…” Skyler said as he stood up.

“I’m not an idiot. Don’t worry about that!” Scarlett smiled and said.

Skyler walked one step forward and embraced her with his arms to comfort her, and said, “Before you try to do something to hurt others or yourself, you should think about Carlos and me.”

“Why do you exclude me?” A male voice suddenly interrupted their heartfelt conversation.

It was Francis standing in the doorway.

Skyler let go of his sister and said, “Well, it’s because you are powerful enough to protect yourself. But Carlos and I have nobody except Scarlett. We need her.”

“Starting from now, you and your sister just stay put and don’t do anything. And you’d better tell your friend not to go around hacking websites. It’s illegal, he could get into big trouble if he gets caught. He doesn’t even delete the trails, and it’s very easy to get charged with cyber crimes these days.”

Skyler piped up, “I’m sorry, Francis. I’m just trying to help out… not cause more trouble. I’m sorry….”

“Don’t be. I just want to make sure that you’re taking the right steps. This is about my family, and I’ll do everything to protect those I love.”

Francis loosened his tie and threw his blazer on the bed. “Anyway, how long has he been sleeping?” he asked, gesturing at Carlos.

Scarlett took a look at the time and replied, “It’s been more than one hour.”

“I’m worried that he won’t be able to sleep at night….”

Scarlett said in a soft voice, “So… did you hear our whole conversation then?”

Francis looked back at her and was very calm. Skyler sensed that he should get out of the room, so he quickly left.

Francis approached Scarlett with lustful eyes.

“Francis… what are you doing? I’m tired, I need a break…” Scarlett moaned.

Francis just grabbed her and said, “Am I so untrustworthy to you?”

“What? What are you talking about?” She stammered.