Chapter 3 The Party

Jeffrey arrived at the party in the company of his close friend, Ethan Wallace.

Verena looked exceptionally stunning that evening, draped in a silk dress with a white camisole. Her long hair was elegantly coiled, exposing a generous expanse of delicate skin on her back.

Ethan immediately spotted her and elbowed Jeffrey playfully.

"Your brother's ex, Verena Wheeler! Tsk, tsk. Both her face and her figure are absolutely breathtaking."

When he followed Ethan's gaze, Jeffrey's eyes casually traversed from her slender ankles upward.

"She's got a great pair of legs, right? I noticed you and her leaving together last night!" Ethan said.

Back in their college days, Ethan had harbored an interest in Verena, unaware that she would later be entangled with both Jeffrey and Blaine.

Recalling his intimacy with Verena cut short by her revelation, Jeffrey responded in a hoarse tone, "She's just okay."

"No way. Just look at her legs. Or are you not a leg person?" Ethan whispered, just as Verena approached with a glass of wine.

"Mr. Yates, care for a chat?" Verena interjected, nodding at Ethan in greeting.

Ethan, quick on the uptake, seized the chance to make his exit.

Jeffrey, towering at 6.2 feet, made Verena appear petite and delicate beside him.

The scent of aftershave and tobacco enveloped her as memories of their unrestrained kiss flooded back.

"Ms. Wheeler, what's on your mind?" Jeffrey inquired, his gaze fixed on her beautiful countenance.

When he addressed her, Verena sensed a primal allure in Jeffrey's voice, an undercurrent of flirtation that stirred something within her.

As an inexperienced woman, she blushed though she maintained a facade of composure.

"SwiftGlide International previously signed a cooperation agreement with us. The time has come for SwiftGlide International to provide the loan, but it hasn't happened yet, resulting in..." Verena began, but Jeffrey cut her off.

"That's an agreement you made with others. It's not my concern," Jeffrey stated flatly.

Hurriedly, Verena said, "I know I shouldn't involve you, but could you help expedite the loan? For you, it's as simple as uttering a few words."

Arching an eyebrow, Jeffrey locked eyes with her. "Didn't you assert that even if every man in the world perished, you wouldn't seek my help?"

With a reddening face, Verena, biting her lip, could only press on.

"I was intoxicated and not thinking straight. Please forgive me..." Verena pleaded, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Jeffrey remained stoic, his tone unwavering. "I didn't do anything that night."

She comprehended his unspoken condition: no assistance until they had a physical relationship.

Her face burned, but she recognized the gravity of the situation.

Oasis Group, her father's legacy, was on the line.

Summoning determination, she subtly brushed her shins against Jeffrey, casting him an affectionate glance.

Jeffrey's scrutinizing gaze lingered, yet he didn't rebuff her advances.

Encouraged, Verena grew bolder, encircling his waist and moving downwards with deliberate intent.

Observing Jeffrey's response, she dared to propose, "Shall we go to my place?"

"You're quite skilled. I'll give you that," Jeffrey remarked, his burning gaze traveling over her.

He resembled a predatory beast, and her ears, as well as her conscience, felt ablaze.

Initially, she had vowed to uphold her principles, securing a loan from SwiftGlide International to salvage Oasis Group. However, time constraints and desperation clouded her judgment.

Jeffrey, encircling her slender waist, led her away, and Verena, compliant, allowed herself to be taken.