Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin) novel Chapter 332

The apartment was a simple one-bedroom unit with minimal furnishings—a long, old-fashioned wooden recliner and a bulky, outdated TV sitting atop a TV cabinet.

A breeze blew in through the glass window, carrying a faint musty scent.

From this day forward, she could finally leave this place behind. She would earn money and take her mother away to live a better life.

Cheryl felt a surge of determination.

Just as she got up from the chair to start packing her clothes, the doorbell suddenly rang. She paused, frowning in confusion as she yelled, "Who is it?"

Her mother was in the hospital, and she rarely had visitors. She wasn't close to her neighbors, and hardly anyone ever came looking for her. She hesitated briefly before walking toward the door.

When she opened it, she saw Marley standing tall in a dark gray suit. His handsome face was set in an icy expression as his piercing gaze locked onto her.

Cheryl's face turned pale. Her body reacted instinctively as she immediately tried to shut the door.

But Marley was faster, shooting his hand out to block the door. His voice was cold and filled with displeasure. "What's wrong? Now that you've found a new sugar daddy, you don't want to see me anymore?"

His presence exuded a violent rage as if he wanted to devour everything in his path.

Cheryl stood no chance against his strength. In just seconds, Marley had forced the door open and stepped inside.

His tall, imposing figure made the already small apartment even more suffocating.

His gaze swept across the room before he turned to her and sneered, "You sell your body for so much money, yet you still live in a dump like this?"

She could've at least chosen a better neighborhood to live in instead of this filthy dump. After taking so much money, she still refused to spend a single cent. She was just as stingy and money-hungry as ever.

Disgust flickered in Marley's eyes as he stared at Cheryl coldly.

Cheryl's jaw began to hurt from his grip, but she clenched her teeth tightly, refusing to cry. In a barely audible tone, she tried to explain, "I'm not—"

"Cheryl, is sleeping with me not enough? You want to sleep with other men too? You're such a slut." Marley directly cut her off, his deep eyes filled with ruthless rage.

A chill ran down Cheryl's spine as she shook her head frantically. That wasn't true. She had never been with another man.

Marley didn't give her a chance to explain. He grabbed her roughly and threw her onto the wooden recliner in the living room. Then, he turned back, raised his hand, and…

The door slammed shut, sealing them off from the outside world. Instantly, the already small room felt even more suffocating.

Cheryl clutched her aching elbow and looked up at Marley. "It's not what you think. I'm acting because of Mar—"

But before she could finish, Marley grabbed her collar and pulled hard. Her clothes were torn apart in an instant, leaving her exposed under his burning gaze.