Chapter 93

After the slap, Elizabeth Wilson fought back even harder, her voice breaking with fury. “Animals! You’re all animals!”
The manager, glancing nervously between Elizabeth and Sebastian Austin, wrung his hands and shot anxious looks at Sebastian’s face.
“Mr. Austin, if this girl won’t behave, I’ll just find you another who will.”
He grabbed Emily Blair by the wrist and all but shoved her into Sebastian’s lap.
“See, Mr. Austin? This one’s still in high school too, and she’s even prettier, with a much better figure.”
Sebastian held Elizabeth down with one arm, slipping the other easily around Emily’s waist. He studied her face, his lips curling into a smile.
“She is beautiful. But
Suddenly, he yanked Emily onto his lap, trapping her there. “But why should I choose? I’ll take them both.”
The cologne on Sebastian’s skin was so overpowering, Emily nearly gagged.
Sebastian, still savoring the moment, asked, “What’s your name? I like girls your age so innocent, so fresh.”
Emily lifted her eyes and, by chance, met Elizabeth’s-her friend’s eyes were red, wide with shock and fear.
In a tremulous voice, Emily answered, “My name is ”
Her gaze flicked to the wine bottle on the table. In one desperate motion, she seized it by the neck, preparing to swing.
But before she could act, a deafening crash split the room-not from the bottle, but from the door.
Someone had kicked it open with brutal force.
“Stop.”
The voice was familiar, cold and commanding.
No one could have expected him: Andrew Lane stood in the doorway.
He wore a sharply tailored black suit, one hand in his pocket, his features hard and chiseled, eyes dark as midnight and just as cold. Even in the dim light, he radiated danger.
Emily froze, her hand lowering the bottle back onto the table as she stared. Why was Andrew Lane here?
Sebastian abruptly let go of both girls, scrambling to his feet with a sycophantic grin.
“Mr. Lane! What an honor. I—if I’d known you were coming, I’d have rolled out the red carpet!”
The other executives, who had been flirting and laughing moments before, shot up, their attitudes instantly deferential.
Andrew strode forward, stopping just in front of Sebastian-but his eyes never left Emily, sitting rigidly on the sofa.
His voice was low, icy. “I’m here to catch a stray cat.”
Sebastian blinked, bewildered. “A cat? There’s no cat here, Mr. Lane.”
He chuckled nervously, trying to salvage the moment. “But if you like cats, just say the word and I’ll send the finest to your estate. Purebreds, the best of the best.”
Emily felt her whole body tense under Andrew’s gaze.
Andrew seemed almost amused by her discomfort. He gave a soft, dismissive laugh. “No need. I only want this stray.”
Sebastian was eager to please. “Of course! I’ll have my men find it. Uh, what does it look like?”
Andrew finally lifted his eyes, his icy glance settling fully on Emily. A cold smile played at his lips.
“No need. I believe I’ve already caught it.”
Sebastian looked Andrew up and down, utterly lost. “Caught it? Where?”
Andrew didn’t answer. He simply moved toward Emily, his intent unmistakable.
Emily’s instincts screamed danger. She quickly stepped in front of Elizabeth, shielding her.
Andrew’s voice was sharp, scathing. “So this is what your life’s come to after leaving the Lane family? Selling yourself in a place like this?”
He didn’t even try to hide his contempt, each word a deliberate wound.
“If· f you needed money, you could’ve come to me. I’d have bought you myself.”
His cold gaze flickered to Elizabeth behind her. “Brought a friend for company?”
Emily’s cheeks went pale. She glared at Andrew, but her heart sank. With him here, getting Elizabeth out safely would be even harder.
Sebastian, still trying to keep up, stammered, “Mr. Lane, you… you know her?”
Could he have accidentally gotten involved with Andrew Lane’s woman? That couldn’t be. Andrew had always been obsessed with her cousin Isabella Austin-he never looked at anyone else.
Andrew’s reply was curt. “Yes.”
Sebastian’s heart plummeted.
Emily clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe Andrew would help her and Elizabeth escape.
She parted her lips to speak, but Andrew cut her off, voice flat and chilling. “Don’t mind me. Carry on. I’ll just watch.”
Emily’s hope shattered.
Sebastian exhaled in relief. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly, Mr. Lane. Let me treat you properly.”
He gestured toward the women. “If you’re interested in any of them, they’re yours. Just say the word.”
At his invitation, every woman in the room fixed hopeful eyes on Andrew, each eager to catch his interest.
Andrew strolled over to a corner of the couch and sat, crossing his legs with elegant indifference. “No need.”
Sebastian, still seeking approval, slid back beside Emily. “As you wish, Mr. Lane. Make yourself at home.”
Andrew ignored him, giving only the faintest nod.
Sebastian finally relaxed, reaching out to grab Emily’s waist again.
But Emily moved faster-she snatched up the wine bottle and, in one swift motion, smashed it across Sebastian’s back.
Wine exploded everywhere. For a split second, the whole room went still; Sebastian staggered, his face draining of color.
Seizing the moment, Emily grabbed Elizabeth by the wrist and hissed, “Run!”
Elizabeth, still dazed, let herself be pulled along.
They’d barely made it halfway across the room when Sebastian’s enraged roar sounded behind them. “Stop them!”
But Emily’s feet suddenly stopped-not because Sebastian’s men blocked her way.