?Chapter 306:


    At this moment, his imposing frame cut through the doorway, silhouetted against the brilliant light streaming behind him. Each deliberate step stretched his shadow across the marble floor, as if a figure from ancient legend had materialized to im dominion over the room. The very air seemed to crystallize under the weight of his presence. A single nce from those prating eyes could freeze blood in veins.


    When measured against the kely empire’s staggering wealth and influence, both the Craig and Sampson families resembled mere drops in an ocean. The instant Merlin’s arrival registered, representatives from both ns surged forward like eager courtiers seeking royal favor. Even Boris, whose shoulders had sagged under mounting pressure mere moments before, swallowed his hesitation and stepped into the advancing throng.


    Abandoned in the sudden exodus, Hailee’s eyshes fluttered with nervous energy. Merlin’s presence invariably unsettled her—every encounter dragged her thoughts back to that mortifying yacht incident. The memory left her scrambling for solid ground, uncertain how to navigate their next inevitable meeting. Guilt carved hollows in her chest. For countless sleepless nights, she had tormented herself wondering whether the wound on his wrist had mended properly, yet cowardice had sealed her lips against asking anyone for updates. Now, watching Merlin’s confident stride carry him deeper into the room, Hailee’s gaze automatically sought his wrist. The ck fabric of his tailored suit concealed everything, offering no glimpse of healing flesh or lingering damage. Within heartbeats, the crowd had consumed himpletely, erasing even the faintest outline of his figure from her view.


    While Hailee stood suspended in bewilderment, Elliana materialized beside her like a phantom.


    “Elliana,” Hailee whispered, her voice barely audible above the surrounding chatter, “what brings Merlin here tonight?”


    Elliana’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “How wonderfully naive you are. He came for you, obviously.”


    Hailee’s eyes widened as she mentally rewound the evening’s events. The pieces aligned with disturbing rity—his intervention did seem specifically orchestrated around her presence.


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    Moments earlier, when Hester’s palm had arced toward Hailee’s cheek, Merlin had burst through like an avenging angel, dering, “No one dares to harm her under my protection.”


    The realization struck Hailee like lightning—she was the person Merlin had sworn to shield. Her heart executed an erratic dance against her ribs. ttery and panic waged war in her chest, sending her pulse into a chaotic rhythm while heat flooded her cheeks.


    The yacht deck’s memory crashed over her in vivid waves. His blunt proposition echoed in her ears—he had wanted her to be his woman, speaking with the casual authority of someone ustomed to iming whatever captured his interest. She had rejected him then, citing her rtionship with Boris. Did he still harbor those intentions despite her refusal?


    The flood of recollections left her drowning in emotional turbulence. She pressed trembling fingers against her sternum, struggling to regte her ragged breathing. Yet, beneath the chaos, rity emerged like a lighthouse beacon cutting through storm clouds. She could never surrender to Merlin’s will, regardless of his methods or persistence. Boris had taught her devastating lessons about the true nature of privileged heirs. To them, ordinary girls represented nothing more than temporary diversions—entertaining toys to be discarded when novelty faded. The only variabley in their approach to conquest. Boris had wielded deception like a master craftsman, while Merlin brandished his dominance like a gleaming sword.


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