Chapter 19
Audrey’s POV:
I was drawn to the sound of an argument in the distance, turning to see what appeared to be a woman yelling at a small boy.
1 frowned–that voice sounded like Sienna.
Just as I was about to walk over and check what was happening, a waiter in a black uniform approached me.
“Miss Lane?” The waiter bowed politely. “Mr. Thornton requests your presence in the back garden.”
I hesitated, unsure why Caspar would summon me in the middle of the gala. Perhaps it was about Noah?
I nodded and followed the waiter through the opulent hall, past several beautifully decorated corridors, finally arriving at glass doors leading to the back
garden.
“Mr. Thornton is waiting for you inside.” The waiter gestured for me to proceed, then turned and left.
I took a deep breath and pushed through the doors.
The back garden had been carefully arranged as a private lounge area, surrounded by perfectly manicured shrubs with several elegant outdoor chairs placed in the center. However, as I looked around, I couldn’t see Caspar anywhere.
“Mr. Thornton?” I called out tentatively, beginning to feel uneasy.
“Beautiful lady, I’m right here.”
An unfamiliar male voice came from the corner. I turned to see a well–dressed man emerge from the shadows, wearing an unsettling smile.
That wasn’t Caspar. I immediately realized I’d been deceived.
“I’m sorry, I think I’m in the wrong place,” I said, turning to leave.
‘Don’t be in such a hurry,” the man grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully tight. “We’ve only just met.”
I tried to pull away, but his hold was surprisingly strong.
Through the corner’s glass doors, I could see guests enjoying champagne and music in the front hall, no one paying attention to what was happening in the
back garden.
My heart rate accelerated as I realized I was isolated in this corner.
I’m Brandon Thornton,” the man introduced himself, his eyes gleaming with dangerous intent.
“Your sister Sienna introduced me to you. To be honest, the moment I saw you walk into the hall, I was captivated.”
Sienna. I cursed silently.
“Mr. Brandon, please let go of me,” I tried to keep my voice calm, attempting to reason with him. I’d like to return to the ballroom.*
1/3
3:05 pm P M
Chapter 19
“Don’t be in such a rush, he moved closer, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“It’s such a waste for a beauty like you to attend a gala alone. Your sister told me you just returned from London, right? I hear London girls are quite…
open–minded.‘
I felt nauseated but still tried not to escalate the situation.
“Mr. Brandon, I think you’ve misunderstood. Please release my hand, or I’ll have no choice but to call for help.”
His expression suddenly darkened.
‘Cut the act,” he hissed. “Your sister already told me what kind of person you are. I’ve seen plenty of women like you–playing hard to get on the surface, but really just angling for a higher price.”
With that, he roughly pushed me toward the wall corner, fight back when-
his other hand beginning to roam inappropriately. I felt both fear and rage, preparing to scream or
“Get your filthy hands off her.”
An ice–cold voice came from the doorway. Both Brandon and I turned to see Caspar Thornton standing there, his eyes like frozen steel, expressionless but radiating suffocating fury.
Brandon seemed startled and immediately released me. “Caspar, I was just ”
He couldn’t finish his sentence.
Caspar strode over and delivered a heavy punch to Brandon’s face, the force so great that Brandon staggered backward several steps before falling to the ground. Blood flowed from his nose, staining his white shirt red.
“She’s mine,” Caspar’s voice was low and dangerous. “Remember that, if you want to keep operating in New York.”
Then he turned to me, his expression softening slightly.
‘Audrey, go outside.”
I felt my legs go weak but nodded and quickly walked toward the door.
Just as I closed the glass door behind me, I heard a scream from inside–Brandon’s voice filled with terror and pain.
I stood outside the door, back against the cold wall, my heart pounding like thunder.
In that moment, I realized that Caspar Thornton’s ruthlessness wasn’t just for business success, but also for protecting those he cared about.
And somehow, it seemed I had been included in that circle.
This realization left me both frightened and strangely secure.
Just as I was still shaken from the encounter, a pair of small hands suddenly wrapped around my leg.
I looked down to see Noah gazing up at me, his grape–like dark eyes full of concern.
2/3
8:05 pm P M
Chapter 19
This little boy’s presence helped ease my frayed nerves.
The glass door opened again, and Caspar emerged.
His expression had returned to calm, but the red marks on his knuckles suggested that what had just happened was no illusion.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. For letting you get hurt on my turf.”
I shook my head without responding.
Instinctively checking my phone for the time, I discovered an unread text from Sienna.
‘Grandma had a sudden emergency and needs to go to the hospital.
But if you think high society galas are more important than Grandma, then by all means, stay there.”
My heart sank. While I suspected this might be another one of Sienna’s traps, I couldn’t take that risk.
Moreover, scanning around, I indeed couldn’t see Sienna anywhere–perhaps she’d already left.
If someone who valued this gala as much as she did could leave early, it must be serious.
“I have to head home,” I said urgently. ‘I’ll arrange to meet with Noah’s grandama another time.”
I hurriedly said goodbye to Caspar and Noah, then rushed through the ballroom toward the exit.
Racing back to the Bailey house as fast as possible, I practically ran to the front door and knocked forcefully, but inside was dead silent.
I rang the doorbell–still no response.
I pulled out my key, only to discover the lock had been changed; my key wouldn’t work at all.
‘Is anyone there?” I shouted, continuing to knock.
Still no response.
My unease gradually transformed into anger and fear.
Was this another one of Sienna’s cruel pranks? Or had something really happened to Margaret?
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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.
