“Pretending to be a mute, huh? Then, I’ll just have to make you scream,” James drawled with a smile.

Tessa became so anxious that she started shaking uncontrollably, struggling to get the words out of her throat. “N-No… Don’t…”

“Don’t?” The smile on James’ face held an indescribable eeriness that sent chills down one’s spine. “It’s too late for that now.”

“I told Stephen to come alone in exchange for your life, but I didn’t say anything about keeping you in one piece.” James stood before Tessa, looking down at her. It was as though he was merely gazing at an ant he could crush if he so pleased.

“You are most certainly alluring. It’s a shame that you’re Stephen’s used goods- and I’ve never liked used goods.”

James cruelly humiliated Tessa.

Tessa lowered her eyes, hiding the hatred and fury blazing within them.

James merely smiled and said, “I suppose I’ll just have to let my men have their fun with you.”

As soon as those words left his lips, a wave of ecstatic joy surged amongst James’ henchmen. They couldn’t even keep the excitement off their faces and could hardly contain themselves.

Tessa was stunning, so they were all lusting for her. However, they dared not show a hint of their desire for her. Now that their boss had given them the green light, they were all more than eager to have their way with Tessa. Their gazes were alight with an unholy gleam of lust.

Liam stood to the side, keeping his head down the entire time. He didn’t even bother to glance in their direction. He wasn’t interested in things like that.

Still, his eyes flickered with a barely perceptible hint of sympathy when he thought of the ordeal Tessa was about to suffer.

James had always treated women with care. For example, he had always ensured that his mistresses were well taken care of.

Yet, that care went out the window when it came to Tessa-all because she was Stephen’s woman. It was for that reason alone that James chose to vent his hatred for Stephen onto her.

In truth, Liam had never seen James act so cruelly to any woman after working under him for so many years.

Liam genuinely didn’t expect James to allow his subordinates to defile Tessa like this.

“James Fullerton!” Tessa suddenly snarled through gritted teeth the

second she heard James utter those despicable words. There was no disguising the hate and rage in her voice.

Tessa glared at James fiercely, acting as though he were her sworn enemy. If looks could kill, James would already be at least six feet under.

“Oh? Not playing the part of a mute any longer?”

James seemed utterly unfazed by her anger. Instead, the smile on his lips deepened further as he looked at Tessa with mirthful eyes, saying, “What’s this? Do you not like this arrangement? Are you not happy to have so many men cater to your needs?”

“You monster! Beast!” Tessa shouted through clenched teeth.

Alas, her intense reaction only made James even more gleeful.

“What are you lot waiting for? Get on with it!” James tilted his chin at his subordinates, signaling for them to sexually assault Tessa.

Liam stiffened and shot a glance at him.

James naturally caught sight of Liam’s discomfort.

He looked at Liam with a smirk. “What’s wrong? Do you want a taste of her too?”

James continued before Liam could respond, “She’s about to be as dirty as a rag. I’ll get you a better specimen later.”

Liam lowered his gaze. “Mr. Fullerton, that’s not what I meant.”

James

merely gave him a

dismissive smile before drawling

languidly “It’s just as well, really. You can record a video of their

l.ne

performance. Frankly, I’m eager to

see just how Stephen’s face will look when he sees his woman getting defiled right before his eyes.”

Then, he promptly burst into manic laughter.