Chapter 18
Sienna’s POV:
Caspar moved to Noah’s side, shielding his son behind him, his gaze as cold as a glacier.
The air seemed to freeze in that moment, and the entire ballroom fell into a terrifying silence.
“This is my son, Noah Thornton.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but each word pierced my eardrums like ice picks.
I felt the blood drain from my face, my knees going weak.
The man of my dreams was looking at me with an expression that could freeze hell over.
‘I’m sorry, I… I didn’t know,” my voice trembled, barely audible. “I really didn’t know he was your son.”
Caspar didn’t respond, simply crouched down and gently checked on Noah’s condition.
Noah clutched tightly to his father’s suit sleeve, his little face etched with distress.
“Are you okay, Noah?”
Caspar’s voice was incredibly tender with his son, a complete one–eighty from his earlier ice–cold tone.
Noah nodded but still pressed close to his father, his small hands gripping even tighter.
Caspar stood up, facing me again, the chill in his eyes making the surrounding air feel frosty.
“My son bumped into you, and I apologize. I can also compensate you for the dress. But what you just said to a four–year–old child,” he paused, ‘you should pay a price for that as well.”
I felt the guests‘ stares like countless knives stabbing into my back.
My perfect plan, my carefully crafted image–everything had crumbled completely in just a few minutes.
‘Which family are you from?” Caspar asked coldly, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.
I answered carefully, my voice nearly trembling: “Ba–Bailey family, sir.”
A flash of complex emotion crossed Caspar’s eyes, as if he was contemplating something.
“Bailey family…” he repeated quietly, his brow furrowing slightly.
He paused for a moment, as if weighing some important decision.
“Are you…” he hesitated, ‘the Miss Bailey I personally invited?”
I nodded eagerly, thinking I’d grabbed a lifeline: “Yes, Sienna Bailey.”
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8:04 pm P M PM
Chapter 18
Caspar’s expression grew even more stern.
“Get out of my party. He finally said simply, the ice in his tone cold enough to freeze the entire room. ‘Now.”
Two security guards had already appeared silently behind me, politely but firmly indicating 1 should follow them.
I took one last look at Caspar and Noah, then hung my head and was escorted out of the ballroom under everyone’s watchful eyes.
I practically stumbled out of the Thornton estate gates, the humiliation churning in my chest like molten lava.
The driver saw me emerge and quickly opened the car door for me.
I collapsed into the back seat, tears finally breaking free, but I didn’t even dare sob aloud–1 could only bite my lip and let the tears flow silently.
‘Back to the Bailey house,”
I managed to squeeze out these words, my voice so hoarse it was barely recognizable.
A
Throughout the ride, my mind kept replaying the scene–Caspar Thornton’s icy stare, the guests‘ whispered gossip, and that damn Audrey, whose appearance had ruined my perfect plan.
If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t get distracted, let alone bump into Caspar’s precious son.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
By the time the car stopped in front of the Bailey house, I’d found some strength from my humiliation–the strength of rage.
“Do you know who I saw at the gala?” I burst into the living room, my voice sharp with anger and humiliation.
My makeup was smeared, and the orange juice stain on my expensive gown stood out garishly against the silver fabric.
Father and Mother looked up from the sofa, surprised by my disheveled appearance.
“What happened?” Mother immediately came over, asking with concern.
“Audrey!” I practically screamed the name. “She was there! At the Thornton family charity gala!”
“What?” Father frowned. “How could she possibly be there?”
“God knows which sugar daddy got her in,” I sobbed, tears mixing with my running mascara.
“The point is, because of her, I ended up looking like this and got kicked out by Caspar!”
I silently blamed everything on Audrey.
In fact, it was precisely because I was thinking about her that I got distracted and bumped into Caspar’s son!
My parents exchanged a shocked look.
“Wait, Father’s voice became serious.
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8:04 pm P M PM
Chapter 18
“You’re saying you offended Caspar Thornton? That could spell trouble for our family. You know how much clout he has on Wall Street.”
“This is all Audrey’s fault! I shrieked.
“If she hadn’t shown up out of the blue, I wouldn’t have been distracted, and I wouldn’t have lost my temper with that little boy!”
Mother came to my side, patting my back soothingly while shooting Father an angry look.
‘Sienna’s already so upset, can’t you comfort her first?”
Father frowned, weighing the pros and cons of this new situation.
“If Audrey really knows such powerful people, this could be an opportunity for the Bailey family.”
“What?” I looked at Father in disbelief. “Are you saying we should use her?”
“Not use,” Father corrected, his tone becoming businesslike. “Collaborate. Finding an opportunity for a Thornton–Bailey alliance could bring unexpected
benefits.”
Mother nodded, quickly grasping Father’s thinking.
“You’re right. If Audrey can build a bridge between us and the Thornton family, then…”
“Then we can leverage that relationship for the Bailey family’s benefit,” Father added, his eyes gleaming with calculation. “After all, family interests come
first.”
I looked at my parents, knowing exactly what they were scheming–use Audrey to get close to the Thornton family, then dump her again. Just like four years
ago.
But this time, I secretly vowed, I wouldn’t let Audrey succeed.
Caspar Thornton wasn’t Samuel West.
1
No matter what, I would destroy Audrey’s relationship with the Thornton family, especially any connection with Caspar Thornton.
Because only I deserved to stand beside “King C.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
