Delayed Passion: Miss Lynch's Unrequited Love-Chapter 45: He Really Has Lost His Mind

Ian Preston’s hand, which was caressing the side of her face, moved behind her, roughly clamping her neck with one hand, pulling the two of them closer as he fiercely bit her lower lip.

Their lips pressed tightly together, his breath mixed with the strong scent of alcohol enveloped her, continuously stealing her breath.

Thea Lynch’s pupils trembled violently, her mind went blank, and she momentarily forgot to resist. It was as if fireworks were continuously exploding in her brain, and her ears were filled only with his clear and rapid breathing.

Insane...

For a moment, Thea only had this thought.

Ian Preston really was insane.

Realizing what was happening, she reached out to push him away, but he seized her wrist in mid-air, twisting it behind her back. This action forced her body to tilt towards him, trapped so thoroughly that she had no room for struggle.

The scene was as beautiful as a vibrant oil painting, a cold and proud young woman kneeling on the altar, willingly tilting her head, devoutly offering everything to the main deity.

Unfortunately, he was not gentle at all, the atmosphere lacked any ambiguity or tenderness, it was more like a beast’s revenge, desperately tearing at its prey without any mercy.

The temperature on her lips was scorching, like a raging wind sweeping through, aggressively invading, not giving her a moment to breathe.

All her whimpers were swallowed by the man, he was truly out of control, this turn of events was completely unexpected for Thea Lynch.

Her body couldn’t help but tremble, she who was always clear-headed was now scared witless by his sudden actions, her heartbeat thoroughly out of rhythm.

The hallway echoed with her grandmother’s call, "Thea?"

Thea’s eyes widened, she woke from her dreamlike state and struggled fiercely.

"You...let go of me!" Hearing the approaching voice, Thea felt her scalp tingle, desperately trying to avoid his kiss, her voice intermittent escaped through their parted lips.

He still did not relent, Thea bit his lip with her reddened eyes, she didn’t hold back her strength, immediately tasting the metallic flavor of blood.

Taking advantage of his stunned moment, Thea turned her head aside, panting and demanding him to let go, "Hurry up! Ian Preston!"

She lowered her voice, glaring at him indignantly.

Opposite her, the man’s dark eyes were cold and clear, showing no emotion, no ripples at all. It was as if the person who had just crossed the line was not him.

Seizing his moment of distraction, Thea broke free from his grip, stumbling to open the door.

In the hallway, seeing Thea emerge from the guest room, her grandmother paused, "You were still in Little Ian’s room, I wondered why nobody opened your door when I knocked."

"Third Brother..." Thea’s breathing was unsteady, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself: "Third Brother was a bit unwell just now, so I stayed a little longer."

She stood slightly to the side, not too close, fearing her grandmother would notice anything unusual.

"Is he alright? Your grandfather is really something, when he’s happy he loses track of himself, can’t drink yet forces others." Her grandmother said, handing her a glass of milk, "Go back and drink the milk, rest quickly. Don’t worry about Little Ian." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

With that, her grandmother was about to check on Ian.

"It’s alright, I’m not sleepy yet." Thea took the milk while also holding her grandmother’s arm, sending her downstairs: "You and Grandpa go rest first, I’ll take the hangover soup to Third Brother later, no need to worry about it."

After coaxing the elderly couple back to their room, Thea looked up at the stairs before turning into the kitchen.

Leaning against the door, her body slowly slid down, crouching on the ground and exhaling heavily. As soon as she closed her eyes, the crazed scene from before began playing on loop.

Touching her cheek, sure enough, it’s hotter than when she had a fever earlier.

She wiped her lips vigorously, looking at the skin where blood appeared, Thea frowned, "Crazy."

It was the first time she had seen such a Ian Preston.

Under the influence of alcohol, along with her verbal provocation, he really could go mad. Initially, she wanted to "get back" at him, now unexpectedly had herself involved.

Since adulthood, Thea had never been as frustrated as she was now, she wished she could go back ten minutes to when Ian asked for company, and directly refuse.

Or after she said that line, to slap herself immediately.

It’s not just Ian Preston who is crazy, isn’t she too?

Isn’t this a lunatic encountering a madman?

She even suspected that it wasn’t Ian Preston who was actually drunk tonight, but herself. She who had always been clear-minded, why at this moment did she begin messing up.

It was really as if she had been drunk, muddled and unaware of what she was doing or saying. Recalling the humiliating words she said, Thea felt heartbroken.

Her fingers raked through her long hair, she irritably patted her head, wondering if tonight it was filled with water?

Thea hid in the kitchen to contemplate, not knowing how long, until her legs began to tingle before she propped herself up with the wall.

Second-floor guest room.

Thea glanced at the hangover soup in her hand, really wanting to pour it onto the flowers. The guest room door was tightly closed, just standing at the door, the recent lingering scene resurfaced vividly, impossible to shake off.

In the end, she went inside.

The bed was empty, she instinctively looked at the lit bathroom.

Through the frosted door, the sound of clear water reached her ears, one could barely see the silhouette reflected on the glass. The person inside seemed to have heard the commotion outside, the sound of water abruptly stopped.

Thea also noticed, she put the item on the bedside table, fleeing recklessly.

Not sure why she had to escape, by the time she realized it, she was already in her own room.

——

That night, even after drinking milk, Thea was still sleepless.

She felt as if she was trapped inside an airtight balloon, oppression and anxiety rushed in. She hugged the blanket, tossing and turning on the bed, no hint of sleep.

She just stared vacantly out the window until dawn.

Grandfather and grandmother were old, lightly sleeping, and grandfather had a habit of waking early to practice Tai Chi, usually stepping out by around five. When Thea descended downstairs, she ran into him.

"Why is Thea up so early?" Grandfather assumed she was hungry, "What do you want to eat in the morning, Grandpa will bring it back for you."

"No need, Grandpa, I... there’s something urgent at the company today, I have to leave."

"Isn’t it too early? It would be better to go back with Little Ian later."

"Third Brother drank so much last night, he probably will sleep till noon, I won’t wait for him. Besides, the timing is perfect now, waiting any longer it’ll be rush hour. You’re aware of Coronet’s situation."

Grandfather nodded, "That’s indeed the case. How are you heading back?"

"I called for a car," Thea said, carrying her bag as she headed out, smiling, "Tell Grandma that I’ll come visit again over the weekend."

Returning to Coronet, Thea didn’t go home, she hid at the company to catch up on sleep.