Qin Qinxi took another shower.

She stood in the bathroom for a while longer, wiping away the tear stains on her face in front of the mirror and offering herself some psychological comfort.

Only then did she take a deep breath, purse her lips, turn off the water, put the clothes back on, wrap herself in a towel, and open the door.

The room lights were dimmed. The projection screen was dark.

The man was still sitting on the sofa, head tilted back against the backrest, completely motionless, breathing evenly—as if he were asleep.

Qin Qinxi was momentarily stunned. Why wasn’t he going to bed?

She stood there hesitating for a few seconds, then took extremely quiet steps, walking along the wall toward the spot where she had previously positioned herself.

The space between the sofa and the wall wasn’t wide to begin with, so no matter how closely she stuck to the wall, she couldn’t avoid passing by him.

When she reached his side, she held her breath, trying her best not to make a sound.

Suddenly, her wrist was seized.

A scorching palm pressed against the inner side of her wrist bone—light in pressure, yet precise, as if it had been waiting for this very moment.

Her whole body was yanked backward, and she sank onto the sofa, her back slamming into his chest.

He ripped the towel wrapped around her body in one swift motion, sending it scattering to the edge of the sofa.

The red lace outfit was completely exposed.

Qin Qinxi tried to cover herself with both hands, but he pinned them down with just one hand.

Vio’s gaze started at the strap around her neck,

traveled down along her collarbone and waistline, finally landing on her toes, then slowly, inch by inch, wandered back up again.

Qin Qinxi’s cheeks burned with shame, her lower lip clenched tight, and her whole body trembled.

Vio let out a low chuckle.

The more ashamed she became, the more he wanted to look.

And that wasn’t enough—he even let his hand follow his eyes.

Starting from her ankle, tracing up her calf, behind her knee, along the inside of her thigh, all the way to her upper body.

“Mr. Mansero!” Qin Qinxi pressed his hand down.

She was now sitting sideways on his lap, trying to get off, but his other arm had locked her waist tightly.

“Hm?” His face leaned closer, his nose almost brushing against her cheek.

She turned her head away.

Vio had intended to kiss her lips, but missed, only grazing her earlobe.

She didn’t say a word; her whole body was taut, like a string about to snap.

Vio didn’t pursue. He paused for a moment, looking at her turned-away face and the exposed ear.

This woman’s earlobes were bright red, almost bleeding.

Vio chuckled softly, tilted his head slightly, and pressed his lips against them, biting gently.

Qin Qinxi shrank back, her shoulders hunching toward her ears, as if trying to retreat into a shell.

“Mr. Mansero!” Her voice had already changed pitch; one hand pressed down on his errant hand, while the other pushed against his chest.

But she couldn’t move him at all. His chest was as hard as a wall.

Vio withdrew his hand, slipped it under her knees, and lifted her straight up.

He took two steps toward the bed and then simply tossed her onto it.

The mattress was soft, and she bounced once. Before she could even scramble to her feet, he was already pressing down on her.

His knees forced her legs apart, and his two wrists were pinned against the pillow on either side.

He hovered above her, leaning down to look at her.

“I never said I’d sleep with you,” he said in a hoarse voice, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “Why are you so worked up?”

Qin Qinxi’s ears burned. She refused to look at him, turning her head instead to stare at the table lamp on the nightstand.

“I’m just asking you,” he said, his lips almost touching her earlobe, “why were you crying just now?”

She didn’t answer.

“Because I wouldn’t let you sleep on the floor?”

Qin Qinxi tried to break free, shifting her body, but she couldn’t budge at all.

How dare she confront him and voice her dissatisfaction?

He would surely point the gun at her forehead.

“Yes…” was all she could manage.

Vio chuckled softly.

“Why not sleep on the bed when there’s one? You insist on sleeping on the floor?”

Qin Qinxi was taken aback. She turned her face back to look at him.

His face was so close to hers that she could clearly see the curve of his eyelashes.

She had no idea what this man really meant.

What exactly did he want by bringing her here?

First he made her sleep on the floor, and now he won’t let her anymore? Does that mean he wants her to sleep on the bed?

“So… does that mean we’re not doing anything at all?” she asked.

She truly couldn’t figure out this man. He had her dressed like this…

Just now…

End of Chapter 41: Chapter 41