Chapter 232
Chapter 232:
His voice softened to something almost gentle. “You are a receipt, Eliza. A line item in his family’s ledger p>
Eliza stared at the transfer. It looked real. Because it is real, a voice whispered inside her. But the context…
“If he loved you, why did he wait until you were ruined to step in?” Anson asked. He answered before she could. “Because he wanted you cheap. He wanted you grateful p>
“Stop it,” Eliza said, feeling sick.
“The Koch family will never accept you. You know that.” Anson pressed on the bruise with quiet precision. “They are royalty. You are… a scandal.” His tone shifted again, softening to something almost tender. “I can protect you. I know you. I accept your damage. We are the same, El. Broken toys.” He touched her arm.
𝖱𝖾ad 𝗐i𝗍hо𝗎𝘵 iոte𝗿𝘳𝘶p𝘵io𝗇𝗌 𝗈𝗻
Eliza looked at him. For just a moment, the old familiarity tugged at her — the shared history, the worn grooves of a decade.
But underneath it was fear. Fear that Dallas was too good to be true. Fear that she really was just a problem he was solving.
“I need to go,” Eliza said, pulling her arm free.
“Go ask him then,” Anson called after her. “Ask him if his family accepts you. Watch him hesitate p>
Eliza turned and walked away quickly. A black sedan with tinted windows pulled silently to the curb, summoned by her app. She got in and locked the door, leaving Anson on the sidewalk.
The car eased into traffic. For ten minutes she said nothing, just stared out the window as the city blurred past, her hands trembling in her lap.
She looked at her ring. Is it a shackle? Or a gift?
She texted Dallas: Where are you?
He replied instantly: Office. Waiting for you for lunch. Azalea said you were coming.
He was waiting. Like a loyal dog. Or a patient spider.
Eliza pressed her fist against the seat beside her. “I hate this doubt p>
She spoke to the car’s AI. “Sentinel, change destination. Koch Tower.” She needed to see his eyes when she asked.
The car changed course, heading toward the massive glass building. It loomed ahead — cold, intimidating. Scandal, Anson had called her.
She drew a slow breath as the car pulled into the private entrance.
When she stepped out, Anson was already there. He had followed her.
“You followed me?” Eliza spun around, anger flaring.
“I’m saving you from humiliation,” Anson said, seizing her arm. “Don’t go up there p>
People in the lobby were already staring. It was becoming a scene.
“Let go, Anson,” Eliza struggled against his grip.
“They will chew you up,” Anson pleaded. “Come back to the Hyde Estate. Where you belong p>
“I belong where I choose!” Eliza snapped.
Up in his office, Dallas glanced at the security monitor on his desk — a habit long ingrained in him. He saw the commotion in the lobby. He saw Anson’s hand on Eliza’s arm. A glacial rage, cold and absolute, moved through him. He was on his feet before he had even registered the decision.
The elevator doors pinged open.