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Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The Pinker a Man’s Joints...

Ian Sterling was taken aback by her question and hurriedly explained, ”I—I did know about this, but the women they bring are always willing, so...”

”What about her?” Lynn Winslow pointed to the woman who, despite her tears, was staring blankly at the two of them.

”Her...” Ian Sterling followed her finger with his eyes. The woman’s disheveled collar and the red, swollen side of her face were clearly visible. He was speechless for a moment and swallowed dryly.

Lynn Winslow’s lips twitched into a sneer. Though reason told her this had nothing to do with Ian Sterling, she felt a genuine sense of unease.

’These men in front of me feel just like the ones I saw in Morelia. Deep down, they all treat women like toys.’

She sighed, shoved the cigarettes and lighter into Ian Sterling’s hands, and said wearily, ”Forget it. Just take me home.”

Ian Sterling tentatively reached for her hand. Lynn Winslow didn’t pull away; she even took the initiative to interlace her fingers tightly with his. Only then did he let out a full sigh of relief.

As they brushed past Nigel Abbott, Ian Sterling returned the cigarettes and lighter and gave him a meaningful look.

He was leaving, but he wouldn’t just let it go. Normally, he couldn’t be bothered with what those guys did in private, but not in front of Lynn Winslow. Not a chance.

Nigel Abbott raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk as he looked at the terrified men.

After the two had left, Nigel Abbott lowered his gaze and tapped a cigarette from the pack. He lit it slowly, took a drag, and looked at the men through the smoke. Squinting, he said calmly, ”Take care of them. Remember, leave no trace.”

Countless men in black who had been standing in the shadows stepped forward and silently dragged the men away.

Kenneth Keller, who had been leaning against the wall watching the show, chuckled. ”Since when did you become so timid?”

”I don’t care for myself, but when it concerns Finn Sterling, I have to be careful.” Nigel Abbott couldn’t stop smiling, the corners of his eyes crinkling. His tone was flippant. ”I’m afraid his sister will come after me.”

Zachary Quincy crossed his arms and retorted sarcastically, ”And here I thought you were afraid of causing trouble for that old man of yours. Turns out you’re just as lovestruck as Finn.”

”Is there anything wrong with that?” Nigel Abbott didn’t see a problem with being lovestruck.

Jasper Jennings stretched, unable to hide his envy. ”Finn has it made, doesn’t he? He’s got his older brother and sister backing him up, his future brother-in-law supporting him from below, and he’s plenty capable himself. He just casually started a company, and it’s already flourishing.”

”Yeah.” Kenneth Keller yawned, turned, and started walking toward his car. ”I’m heading out. Going home to sleep,” he said lazily without looking back. ”See you at the Powell family’s place tomorrow.”

Zachary Quincy hurried to catch up, yawning as well. ”Give me a ride.”

The woman was still standing there, staring dazedly at the men. Nigel Abbott walked slowly over to her and said coolly, ”Remember to keep your mouth shut.”

The woman nodded woodenly. She watched as the men who had been so arrogant just moments before were dragged away without a sound, while the one who had decided their fate remained as indifferent as if nothing had happened at all.

Ever since getting in the car, Lynn Winslow had been silent, her face turned to watch the scenery blur past the window. Ian Sterling opened his mouth to speak several times, but swallowed his words when he saw the ”do not disturb” written all over her face.

It wasn’t until the car came to a steady stop in front of Villa 7 at Amberly Bay that Lynn Winslow finally spoke in a low voice. ”Go home and get some rest. Remember to come by tomorrow morning, and bring the gift I have for my grandfather.”

Ian Sterling bit his lip. ”Can’t I stay tonight?”

Lynn Winslow blinked, her lips curving into a smile. ”Didn’t we agree? No living together.”

”Not even for one night?” Ian Sterling held on to Lynn Winslow’s hand, a flicker of hurt in his narrow eyes. ”Are you still angry about what happened earlier? I really didn’t know they would force anyone.”

Lynn Winslow looked into his eyes and felt her heart soften. ”Let’s talk after we get out of the car,” she said with a sigh of resignation.

Hearing this, Ian Sterling immediately pushed open his door, got out, and took Lynn Winslow’s hand to lead her into the villa.

Lynn Winslow left Ian Sterling behind and went into the bathroom to shower. When she came out, she found him sitting by the bathroom door, looking up at her expectantly, like a little red-haired puppy.

Lynn Winslow raised a hand and playfully scratched his chin. ”What are you doing waiting here?” she asked, amused.

”I want to explain.” Ian Sterling pressed his lips together, pulling her into his arms and resting his chin on her shoulder. ”They’ve always been like this,” he said softly. ”Those women might not be willing at first, but after being offered a bag, a car, or an apartment, they usually come around.”

”That’s also why I never interfered.”

Lynn Winslow’s fingers rested on the back of his head, gently massaging as she quietly listened to his explanation. Only after he had finished did she speak in a low voice.

”Did I overreact? Did I scare you?”

Ian Sterling let out a wounded ”mhm.”

Lynn Winslow leaned back to look at him, her fingers tugging at the corners of his lips. ”Back in Morelia,” she said seriously, ”I used to go racing and to casinos with Zane Lancaster and the others. I knew they had hobbies like that... using women as betting chips. One time, outside a private room at a casino, I heard a woman crying for help as I was passing by. But my friends were calling for me, so I didn’t do anything.”

The day after I heard her cry for help, the casino was shut down. Those rich degenerates had tormented someone to death, and the person they tortured to death was that woman.

”I saw the state of her body. It was horrific... unimaginable. If I had saved her that day, this probably wouldn’t have happened. And the most ridiculous part is, those guys were let out after just a few days because of who was backing them.”

She snuggled back into Ian Sterling’s embrace and whispered, ”You guys invested in that club. If something really bad happened, you would definitely be implicated. I don’t want you to be their backer.”

Ian Sterling finally understood why her reaction had been so strong.

’His Lynn was always just a bit prideful on the surface, but in reality, she was softer-hearted than anyone. She would stand up for the wronged and feel guilty and blame herself for not being able to save someone.’

”Lynn, what you’re worried about will never happen,” Ian Sterling promised her.

Lynn Winslow let out a muffled ”mhm.” That bitter feeling of self-blame was still intense. To distract herself, she had to find something else to vent her emotions on.

She took Ian Sterling’s hand, her gaze dropping to study the back of it. The veins stood out, and his knuckles were a faint pink. Lynn Winslow couldn’t help but recall what those online bloggers said... that the pinker a man’s knuckles were...

She pressed a kiss to his fingertips, her eyes turning sultry.

Ian Sterling instantly responded to her invitation, scooping her up and pressing her down onto the bed, all his unrestrained strength focused on her.

Only when she was completely drained of energy, so exhausted she was on the verge of passing out, did Lynn Winslow finally stop thinking about that incident. She collapsed into a deep sleep, sprawled in Ian Sterling’s arms.

「In the morning.」

Lynn Winslow was jolted awake by the arm around her waist tightening. She sleepily lifted her eyelids, her long lashes trembling in the dim room, and heard the man behind her say in a hoarse voice, ”Lynn, just a little longer.”