?Chapter 1138:


    The moment she took her seat, he slid in beside her.


    She watched in silence as he raised the partition, an uneasy feeling beginning to stir in her chest.


    As she anticipated, he turned toward her, leaned in, and pulled her into his arms. Reflexively, she tried to pull away, but he caught her chin in a firm grip, angling her face up to meet his.


    “I warned you before—no being alone with Ethan Marsh,” he said, his voice low and unrelenting.


    Startled by the sharp edge in his tone, Yvonne blinked, momentarily lost for words. Then, a softugh slipped from her lips as she looked up at him with feigned innocence. “Oh? Are you jealous now?” Her teasing, inquisitive eyes met his and held steady.


    Norton gave a sharp, icyugh as he met her cunning look. “So what if I am?” Without giving her a chance to reply, he dipped his head and captured her lips, cutting off her yful jibe.


    Yvonne felt his gentle nibble and couldn’t help butugh to herself. Norton’s jealous expression was unexpectedly entertaining.


    Looping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back, her movements caught between hesitation and intent.


    The shift in her response caught Norton off guard for a moment. Secretly satisfied, he deepened the kiss with greater fervor, lifting her with ease and cing her on hisp.


    His possessive energy wrapped around her, dismantling her resistance piece by piece. Her strength waned beneath his touch, her soft whimpers escaping in spite of herself.


    At the sight, Norton finally let her go, a satisfied smile ying on his lips. She rested against his chest, tapping her fingers lightly against the fabric over his heart.


    Catching her hand mid-motion, he raised a brow. “Want to keep going?”


    Color surged into her cheeks as she shook her head quickly, curling into his arms in search of calm.


    He ran a soothing hand down her back, his eyes smoldering as he watched her regain her breath. Then, with a slow exhale, he shut his eyes, reining in whatever emotion still burned inside.


    Explore magic at gα ? ησ ν?? ?s,


    When he spoke again, his voice had shifted to something far more sober. “Watch yourself these days.”


    “What’s wrong?” Yvonne smiled as she spoke, thinking he was still brooding about Ethan.


    But Norton could tell she hadn’t yet heard about the photos—had no clue what had been circting. He said nothing more, choosing to shield her from the mess. There was no need to trouble her over something he could handle himself. What she didn’t know was that Norton had quietly tightened the security surrounding her.


    For days, he remained glued to her side whenever possible, joining her on errands and outings alike.


    “We’re here,” Norton said, snapping her out of her thoughts.


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