<b>Chapter </b><b>369 </b>
Elvis‘shes fluttered wildly, his heart pounding at an insane rate.
It <b>wasn’t </b>often that his heart took off at such a cl*p, but this time, it was because of the restless woman in his arms.
Not that he’d fallen for her. Rather, she bore a striking resemnce to Evadne, enough to throw him off bnce. Holding his “sister“, who was flirting up a storm, left him feeling rather disoriented.
“Ugh. I feel sick.” Elsie’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as her delicate b*dy fell down.
She’d had quite a bit to drink and had danced away the night. Now her stomach was rebelling against her, “Can you help me to <b>the </b>bathroom? I can’t take it.”
If it was any other woman, Elvis would have stayed away from her as far as possible without a second thought.
But her face made it difficult for him to refuse. With a firm grip, he hoisted Elsie up, her lithe b*dy barely weighing anything in his strong arms, and strode towards the restroom.
The dancing floor was buzzing with surprise.
“Damn! That guy’s strength is amazing! I wish I could feel what it’s like to be held by him!”
“It’s like he’s the boyfriend from all our dreams!”
“But don’t you think the woman he’s carrying away looks a lot like Evadne Ashbourne, the socialite who’s been the trending topic multiple times?!<b>” </b>
“Could it be Evadne? I noticed when she came in. She has the same face as Evadne!”
“Get real! Why would the daughter of the Ashbourne family be here? And where are her b*dyguards? Her father is Emeric Ashbourne, for heaven’s sake! It’s probably just some woman who <b>got </b>stic surgery to look like Evadne.”
Elvis couldn’t take Elsie into thedies‘ room, so he took her to the men’s room instead.
Inside, two men were taken aback as they saw <b>the </b>icy–looking man carrying a beautiful woman into the bathroom. They didn’t know whether to finish what they were doing or stop it midway.
“Are you done? Get lost!” Elvis ordered, kicking the door for emphasis.
The two men quickly zipped up and scooted away, making sure to close the door behind them.
Elsie leaned over the sink, throwing up violently.
Elvis leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette, asionally appraising her with the corner of his eyes.
Perhaps due to their brief interaction, he was beginning to realize that she didn’t resemble his sister as much as he’d initially thought.
After all, his sister Evadne was a beauty beyondpare, unrivaled in grace and elegance.
Elsie finished throwing up, washed her face, and rinsed her mouth. Looking into the mirror, she saw her pale face, as if she’d just recovered from a serious illness.
This face looked exactly like Evadne, chosen so carefully by Avery.
Suddenly, a sharp pain seared in her heart, She clutched her chest, massaging it gently as she forced a bitter smile onto her l*ps.
“All done throwing up? Sobered up?”
“Ah!” Elsie seemed to notice him for the first time, letting out a surprised yelp.
“For the record, I’m the one who brought you in here.”
Elvis crossed his arms and looked at her, amusement in his eyes, “You couldn’t stop calling me ‘hottie‘ and asking me to take you to the restroom. Now that you’re done, you’re ready to forget about me? Think I’m someone easy to take advantage of, miss?”
“When did <b>I </b>ask you to bring me in here? This is thedies‘ room. You should leave immediately.” Elsie swayed slightly, but her wariness hadn’t diminished.
<b>Now </b>that her mind was a bit clearer, she took a good look at Elvis. He was tall and handsome, with striking eyebrows and expressive eyes.
His eyebrows were slightly raised, and his eyes were <b>full </b>of wit and nonchnce, with a touch ofziness<b>, </b>as if nothing could disturb his peace.
A blush crept up Elsie’s cheeks, her heartbeat quickening.
She could hardly believe that she was experiencing these strange emotions for a man other than Avery.
“Ladies‘ room? You <b>think </b>this urinal belongs in thedies‘ room?”
Elvis smirked, “You’re the one who should leave, miss.”
Elsie’s face turned even redder with embarrassment. Just as she was about to turn and leave, Elvis abruptly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
Elsie crashed into the man’s firm chest again, the impact making her <b>scalp </b>tingle and her heart race uncontrobly.
Elvis stared at her with intense eyes, a teasing smile on his l*ps, “Leaving just like that? You haven’t even thanked me yet.”
“Thank you.” Elsie’s eyes sparkled, her breath uneven.
“Has anyone ever told you that <b>you </b>look like someone?” The man’s warm breath brushed against her blushing nose, and his icy eyes softened slightly.
Elsie’s heart lurched, and she struggled to break free, <b>but </b>Elvis held her tight.
<b>“</b>No, I’m not like anyone. I’m just me.”
For some reason<b>, </b>she felt timid <b>and </b>insecure.
This face was liked by Avery.
People liked <b>the </b>original owner of <b>this </b>face, Evadne Ashbourne, the daughter of the Ashbourne <b>family</b>.
“Alright then, tell me who you are”
Elvis‘ probing gaze lingered on <b>her </b><b>obviously </b>frightened face, “What’s your name?”
“I’m…”
Before she could finish, her phone rang.
She hurriedly took it out and saw the word “Boss” on the screen. Her face turned pale, and she mustered all her strength to break free from Elvis‘ arms <b>and </b>rushed <b>out </b>like a lost soul.
Elvis raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued as he followed her.
Elsie didn’t dare to exit from the main entrance and instead chose to sneak out through the back door.
As soon as she stepped outside, a bright spotlight hit her face, making her squint and shield her face with her arm.
A b*dyguard approached her.
“Miss Archer, the boss is waiting for you. Please,e this way.”
“Okay.”
At that moment, Elsie waspletely sober. She walked towards the ck luxury car with a heavy step.
Inside sat the man she yearned for day and night.
Yet now, with her beloved <b>so </b>close, all she felt was fear.
The car door opened, and Elsie cautiously slid into the seat.
As soon as the door closed, Avery’s clear voice, heavy with anger, echoed in the darkness.
“What did I tell you, huh? I explicitly forbade you from returning to Elmsworth without my permission. Have you so quickly forgotten?”
“S–sorry, Mr. Chambers.”
Before Elsie could finish her sentence, her vision blurred, and a choking sensation gripped her throat, rendering her unable to breathe.
A cold glint passed behind Avery’s golden–rimmed spectacles as he expertly twisted Elsie’s n*eck, pushing her mercilessly into the car seat.
<b>“</b>Sorry? That’s it, just sorry? Do you have any idea how much trouble your reckless actions could cause me?”
“I’m sorry.” Elsie’s face flushed deep red; her consciousness began to blur.
“I told you, your face should only appear at The Velvet Haven <b>in </b>Elmsworth<b>, </b>hidden during the day and only out at night. You’re my ace in the hole, my priceless possession. You do as Imand. You have no business parading around<b>, </b>nor the right to act recklessly!”
Avery’s eyes were filled with menace, his grip on her n*eck tightening, as if he wanted nothing more than to snap her n*eck right there and then.
Harvey, sitting shotgun, noticed Elsie was almost unable to make it. With a sheen of panic sweat, he quickly interceded for Elsie, “Mr. Chambers, Ms. Archer can’t take much more! Please, for her years of loyalty, let her off this once. Yes, she disobeyed you by sneaking back. But wasn’t it to see you? Everything she did was for you. Please, let her off this time!”
Avery coldly examined her face, as if it were a prized work of art, exhaled a breath of exasperation and released her.
Elsie was drenched in sweat, her <b>face </b>paling gasping for breath, and looking tearfully at Avery.
Even after such treatment, she <b>didn’t </b>harbor a hint of resentment. She was only concerned that she had angered him.
“<b>I’m </b>sorry, Mr. Chambers. I’m sorry.” Elsie clutched her n*eck in pain, continuously apologizing to him in a pitifully abject manner.
Without sparing her a nce, Avery withdrew a pristine white handkerchief from his pocket, leisurely wiping his hands. He tossed the handkerchief out of the window with a look of distaste, “About your face, after we return, you’ll have to spend money to take good care of it. If not for that face I would have strangled you already.”
Feeling as <b>if </b><b>a </b>knife was being twisted in her heart, Elsie responded with a tremble, “Thank you. Thank Ms. Ashbourne for this.”
Suddenly, Avery pushed up his sses and asked in a low voice, “In the bar<b>, </b>did a man touch you?”
<b>“</b><b>No</b><b>, </b><b>no</b><b>. </b>I identally ran into him. I had too much to drink, lost my senses, and made a fool of myself.” Frightened, Elsie quickly shifted the me to herself.
Avery coldly nced at her and directed his words to Harvey, “<b>Find </b>out who that man is. What’s his identity, his background.”
“Yes, Mr. Chambers.”
Elsie’s hands, resting on herp, clutched her dress tightly.
She felt a bit sorry for that man.
But she also knew that Avery was just that kind of person. If anyone touched his belongings, it was tantamount to <b>theft</b>.
Could this indirectly prove that Avery had <b>a </b>little bit of feelings <b>for </b><b>her</b>? Even if this affection was generated because of Evadne, he must <b>somewhat </b>like her.
The luxury carsped away from the alley, disappearing into <b>the </b><b>night</b>.
<b>Only </b>then did Elvis<b>, </b>hands in his suit pockets, leisurely walk into <b>the </b><b>middle </b>of the alley.
Looking in the direction the car had disappeared, he narrowed his deep–set eyes.
“Elsie Archer?<b>” </b>
<b>The </b>license te number of the luxury car was also firmly kept <b>in </b>his mind.
Meanwhile, Arnold was also keeping busy.
He never imagined that his rare visit <b>to </b>the bar would lead <b>to </b><b>an </b>encounter with his nemesis<b>! </b>
At <b>the </b>entrance of <b>the </b>private <b>room</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>half–drunk Camille was being hauled by two well–dressed <b>middle</b>–aged foreigners. She had <b>drunk </b><b>too </b>much and was <b>no </b>match for <b>the two </b><b>tall</b><b>, </b><b>burly </b>men.
“Let <b>me </b>go. I want to go back!” Camille leaned back, trying to regain control.
212
15.30
The smiles <b>on </b>the foreigners‘ <b>faces </b>grew lecherous<b>, </b>ignoring her pleas, their only intent to take her to a secluded ce for their enjoyment. “Let me go!”
“Let her go.”
Just then, a chilling male voice echoed her plea.
Camille lifted her blurred eyes <b>in </b>surprise, meeting Arnold’s handsome face tinged with hidden anger.