Chapter 236

Suddenly, the mirror reflected a multitude of figures, a sight so unexpected that it nearly scared Susan to death.

Startled, she spun around in an instant, her eyes narrowing in annoyance at the man who stood before her.

"What are you doing here? This is the women's restroom," she protested.

Caleb, however, remained silent. His towering figure cast a shadow across the restroom, blocking the light. His face was taut, lips drawn into a tight, cold curve that hinted at a brewing storm.

To Susan, Caleb seemed like a demon straight from the depths of hell, here to settle some unknown score.

Was it Caleb who sought to settle a score with her? After all, he had just humiliated her. Surely, it was she who should be seeking retribution.

"Are you always this despicable, seducing every man you encounter?" Caleb's words were laced with sarcasm and devoid of mercy.

Susan felt an urge to slap him, but she refrained. Instead, she offered a smile and retorted, "If I remember correctly, Caleb, you once said I was in need of a man. I should be thanking you for your suggestion. If things go well, I might gain a few more clients."

"Do you understand what you're sacrificing for those clients?"

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

"Hmm." Susan nonchalantly took a tissue, wiped her hands, and tossed it into the trash can. She lazily lifted her gaze to meet Caleb's, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Men, it's all about one thing, isn't it?"

So, Susan was aware, and she was willing?

"Have all your previous clients been won over through your bed?" Caleb's voice was a thunderous roar, filled with rage.

Susan responded with a smile, though she didn't utter a word. Inside, however, her heart was turning to ice.

"Susan, I've clearly underestimated you."

"Thanks for the 'compliment.'" Susan had no desire to continue this argument. With an air of pride, she turned to leave.

But in the next instant, Caleb's large hand was wrapped around her neck.

Susan's face flushed a deep red. "What are you doing?"

Caleb's actions were violent. Susan struggled to pry his hand away, but he was like a wild beast, forcefully pushing her against the wall.

The back of Susan's head collided with the wall, and she gasped for air. She had never expected Caleb to be this violent. His hand felt like a noose around her neck, suffocating her.

"Caleb, let me go," Susan managed to choke out the words.

Caleb leaned in, his menacing face close to her ear, and he whispered, "If that's the case, why don't you try to please me? I can be more generous than him."

"You're dreaming."

"Say that again?"

Susan's breath hitched, becoming more labored. Veins bulged on the back of his hand. Her face turned from red to purple, her eyes began to water, and her voice became intermittent. "Anyone will do, Caleb, anyone but you."

"Why?" Caleb's voice was a growl.

"I'm tired of sleeping with you."

To her, Caleb was nothing more than discarded trash.

"I don't make a habit of revisiting my past. Men I've slept with, sleeping with them again is simply boring!"

Damn it, Susan treated him not only like garbage but also like a plaything.

"Am I not good enough for you?"

'You're far from good enough. How could a cheating scumbag like you ever be good enough for me?'

Susan responded with the ultimate form of contempt - silence and a smirk. Even as she was on the verge of losing consciousness, she refused to beg for mercy. Instead, she met Caleb's gaze with a look of disdain.

"A man you've slept with loses his novelty. It's always better to sleep with someone new."

"Damn it!" Caleb cursed, lowering his head to capture her lips. He held her by the neck with one hand, kissing her fiercely, like a wolf eager to tear apart and devour its prey.

Caleb's bite inflicted a great deal of pain on Susan.

Summoning every ounce of her strength, Susan shoved Caleb away, her voice seething with venom as she spat, "You bastard, Caleb."

In a swift, instinctive motion, she raised her hand to slap him, but her attempt was thwarted as Caleb caught her wrist with an iron grip. His eyes were alight with a dangerous excitement, the crimson hue mirroring the traces of her biting on his lips. The metallic tang of blood hung heavily between them, a stark reminder of their altercation.

"If you need a mistress, go find someone else. Stop bothering me and get lost!" Susan's voice was laced with defiance as she shook off Caleb's hand and stormed out of the room.

She returned to the restaurant, her expression as dark as a brewing storm. "Why were you gone for so long?" Hotch's voice was laced with a longing that was palpable.

Caleb trailed behind her, his face as dark as hers, his mouth still bearing the evidence of their heated exchange.

Could they have...? The thought lingered, unspoken. Men were possessive creatures. Even when they grew tired of their playthings, they seldom allowed others to entertain ideas about them.

But Hotch had no time to dwell on such thoughts, for Susan's voice cut through his musings, "Hotch, I didn't drive, could you give me a ride?"

"Yes, of course. It's my honor." Desire immediately overwhelmed Hotch's rationality, and he nodded eagerly. "Let's go."

As they exited the restaurant, Hotch's hand found its way to Susan's waist, only to be promptly pushed away.

In the car, Susan's expression was one of deep displeasure. The lingering taste of Caleb's dominance still tainted her lips. How dare he? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

"Beauty, where are we going? Your place, my place, or a hotel?" Hotch's blatant inquiry was met with a curt response, "I'm going home."

"I didn't expect you to be conservative. You like to play at home..." Hotch's insinuation was met with a wave of disgust from Susan. "I'll go home myself. Drop me off at the next intersection."

Hotch's insinuations continued, his words dripping with arrogance and entitlement. Susan's response was a slap that echoed through the car. Hotch was taken aback, his surprise quickly morphing into fury. "You hit me?"

Susan's attempt to escape was thwarted as Hotch locked the car doors and pulled her back. His words were laced with venom, his grip unyielding.

As the traffic light turned green, the cars behind them honked impatiently. Hotch was forced to steer the wheel with one hand, his other hand still gripping Susan.

"Let me go, I'm calling the police," Susan's voice was firm, her desperation evident.

Her plea was cut short by the sudden impact of another car crashing into theirs. Both of them were thrown forward, Hotch's head colliding with the steering wheel, resulting in a large bump on his forehead.

"Who is this idiot?" Hotch's anger was palpable as he exited the car, ready to confront the other driver. His anger, however, was quickly replaced by shock as he saw Caleb emerging from the other vehicle.

"Caleb, you..." Hotch's words were cut short as Caleb's fist connected with his face, knocking him to the ground and dislodging two of his teeth. Caleb's eyes were blood-red, showing no mercy as he advanced towards the passenger seat.

Meanwhile, Susan had just managed to unbuckle her seatbelt when she was roughly pulled out of the car by Caleb.

"Caleb, what are you doing?" Susan's voice was a mix of fear and anger. "Let me go."

Her hair was a wild mess, her expression a blend of distress and fury. She looked like a mad woman, her temper flaring as she used her high-heeled shoe to kick Caleb's leg.

"Let go!"

"You jerk!"

"You should be in a mental institution."

"I'm calling the police."

"Shut up!" Caleb's voice was a harsh command as he forcefully pushed her into the Maybach.