Evil MC's NTR Harem - Chapter 333

Chapter 333: Chapter 333 Full Swing
The two talked for three hours, though it felt like only minutes.

Their connection was undeniable, and if this were a different world—free of complications and shadows—they might have already been fast on their way to becoming lovers.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t such a world. Ross Oakley did not take kindly to anyone approaching those he considered his possessions, and Jessica knew it all too well.

“I hate to bring this up, but… can I have your number, Jessica? I’d love to stay in touch and see you again.” Kevin scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his expression earnest and slightly hopeful.

It was obvious he liked her—a lot. Jessica’s exquisite beauty had drawn him in from the start, but as they talked, it was her quiet strength and thoughtful nature that captivated him.

Not only was she stunning, with a figure that turned heads wherever she went, but she also had an air of vulnerability that made him want to protect her.

Kevin could see the envious glances from other men around them, and it filled him with a sense of pride.

To an outsider, it might even seem like Jessica was his girlfriend, sitting there beside him with a soft smile and a twinkle in her eyes.

But Kevin’s happy confidence evaporated the moment Jessica responded.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. In fact, I already have a boyfriend,” she said honestly, though her tone carried an unmistakable weight.

Kevin’s brow furrowed, the warmth in his expression fading as he processed her words.

“That’s hard to believe,” he said after a moment. “If I were your boyfriend, I’d never leave you alone like this. Don’t lie to me, Jessica. I know you’re not telling me the whole truth.”

Jessica’s shoulders tensed, and she turned her gaze back to the endless ocean, avoiding his piercing eyes.

Kevin continued, his voice calm but insistent.

“You said earlier that you were having problems with money, and then, conveniently, a ‘rich family member’ came out of nowhere to help. That same family member paid for this entire trip, right? Jessica, I’m a psychology major—I can spot a lie when I see one.”

She flinched at his words. He wasn’t wrong; she had struggled to maintain eye contact when explaining her situation earlier.

Kevin had noticed her hesitation, her nervous glances, and the subtle tells that betrayed her discomfort.

“I don’t know what’s really going on with you,” Kevin said softly, leaning forward slightly, “but you don’t have to lie to me. I want to help, Jessica. I—”

“Stop.” Jessica’s voice was firm but shaky as she cut him off. She turned back to him, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and fear.

“You can’t help me. No one can. Please, just… let this go.”

Kevin opened his mouth to protest, but the look in her eyes silenced him. There was something deeper, something darker, behind her words, and he could tell she wasn’t lying now.

Jessica stood abruptly, clutching her purse tightly.

“Thank you for the conversation, Kevin. It really helped,” she said, offering a weak but genuine smile. “Take care.”

Before Kevin could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts—and a sinking feeling that something wasn’t right.

Unbeknownst to him, Jessica’s every move had been under watchful eyes.

Somewhere in the shadows, Ross Oakley was already aware of Kevin’s interest, and the consequences of this encounter were about to unfold.

***

Jessica sighed as someone cut through her thoughts as she was already walking back to her room.

“Where were you, Jessica? Ross has been asking about you.”

She had barely taken a step onto the ship’s deck before April found her, her expression equal parts curious and concerned.

Jessica liked April; the girl was sharp, and Jessica valued intelligence above all else. Their conversations had always been engaging, a rare solace amidst the chaos of her life.

“I just went out to get some fresh air,” Jessica lied smoothly, though her mind churned. The truth was far less palatable.

Their shared room reeked of sex, the scent an unavoidable reminder of her unwanted role as a spectator to the endless intimacies around her.

Unlike Reina and Mari, who had some measure of freedom, Jessica’s fate was sealed. Ross had made it clear she was to become one of “his girls.”

The way his gaze lingered on her, sticky with intent, was something she’d endured for years. It was a look she recognized all too well—the look of a man who wanted her.

April’s brow furrowed.

“Did you tell Ross you were stepping out for air?”

“No. Why? It’s no big deal, right? He’s busy enough with you and the rest of his wives.” Jessica’s nonchalance was a shield, though it failed to ease April’s worry.

“Jessica! Come with me.” April grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward a secluded part of the cruise ship. They slipped into an empty room, April closing the door firmly behind them.

“Listen carefully,” April began, her voice low and trembling.

“What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this room. Ross is dangerous. Never make him angry.” She shivered, as though reliving a distant nightmare.

Jessica’s lips curled into a bitter smile.

“You think I don’t know that? Why do you think I’m here?”

April’s eyes widened, then narrowed in understanding.

“You’ve only seen Ross’s cruelty from the sidelines, haven’t you? To others, and not to those you care about. Never directly to you or your family. That’s why you’re still defiant. Let me warn you—if you keep pushing him, he will find a way to break you. And when he does, you’ll have to live with the consequences.”

Jessica said nothing, her silence heavy with unspoken fears. April’s trembling voice softened to a whisper.

“I just hope you’re ready for what’s coming.”

They returned to the main cabin, the ship’s largest, where a raucous party was in full swing. Laughter and music filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of glasses.

“Where were you two?” one of the girls called out, handing them drinks.

April quickly concocted a story, her words blending seamlessly with the party’s din. Jessica, meanwhile, retreated to a corner, nursing her drink.

The bitter taste of expensive wine burned her throat, but it dulled her senses, a small mercy in the chaos of how her life turned out to be.

A voice behind her shattered her fragile reprieve. “I heard you made a friend.”

Jessica froze. The hairs on her neck stood on end as Ross’s voice, smooth and menacing, coiled around her like a hunter closing in on its prey.