Chapter 50

“What?”

“In that case, I’ll just use this instead.”

Ignoring the gun pointed at his throat, he looped one arm around her waist and yanked the curtain closed with the other.

Unbelievable.

‘A madman’s madness looked almost natural when he carried it out so fluidly.’

His motions were seamless, leaving Daisy so frozen in shock that she couldn’t move a muscle. His warm, masculine scent overwhelmed her as her view filled with his broad chest.

“I’ve missed you.”

“L-let go of me… Ah!”

Crash!

He surged forward before she could resist, toppling the rack of dresses. Her back struck the wall with a thump.

“Haah, fuck. I was too hasty. Are you hurt?”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing—”

“Stop squirming. Just stay still.”

He pressed his body fully against hers, making sure she couldn’t squirm away.

“You know it turns me on when you fight back.”

He’s the worst.

A moment ago he had at least whispered, but now he didn’t even bother to lower his voice.

“I’ll shoot.”

With a swift motion, she pressed the revolver to his jaw. He only gave a short, mocking laugh.

“I mean it.”

“Go on, then.”

Unbothered, he practically dared her to shoot, then began unfastening the buttons down her back one by one.

Pop. pop. pop.

As her bodice loosened, her panic rose.

Was he really planning to strip her here?

“So? When are you pulling the trigger? I only have a few buttons left.”

He even taunted her.

What could she do? She had vowed never again to kill. And to murder her own husband here, it would be a scandal to eclipse all scandals. While she agonized, Maxim looked entirely at ease… No, worse, delighted, as though this reckless trespass thrilled him.

It enraged her. He acted as if he knew she would never pull the trigger. Or maybe he wouldn’t really care at all if she shot him.

She’d never met a man like this. How was she supposed to fight him?

‘Maybe strike him with the butt of the gun. When he grabs my head, I could escape…’

It sounded plausible, but this was Maxim von Waldeck.

‘No, that would only excite the pervert further. And even if I get out there half-dressed, what then?’

This damned dress was cheap fabric made to mimic finery. The buttons trailed down the back, which made it impossible to take off alone, and he was, after all, her lawful husband. To appear outside in such a state would only look like they’d been caught mid-act.

A humiliation far worse.

‘One way or another, there are too many eyes watching. Oh, Divine Lord, why do You give such trials to Your poor child?’

She felt like she was going to lose her mind.

While she hesitated, Maxim finished unbuttoning her back, and the fabric slipped from her shoulders, baring her round shoulders.

“You’re fine with people seeing the gun?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Those women gossip enough already. Imagine the reporters if they heard we pulled out a weapon.”

He tugged on the curtain, giving her one last warning.

“I don’t care. Let them say it was a lovers’ quarrel.”

At that, he flung the curtain wide open. Daisy, startled, hid the revolver in a flash. Beyond the drape stood the trembling attendants, frozen in place.

“You.”

Maxim called out to the staff as if they weren’t people, but objects. Both flinched.

“I’ll undress her myself. Stop eavesdropping and get out.”

“….”

“What, are you deaf? I said leave.”

As his voice turned sharper, the women fled, bowing in terror.

“Give us ten minutes. No, better make it thirty. It’s… urgent.”

Thirty? Why thirty, if it was so urgent?

Daisy didn’t understand. However, the attendants clearly did as they scurried from the fitting room in a panic.