?Chapter 308:


    Norwood’splexion had drained to parchment white as he ventured forward on unsteady legs. “M-Mr. kely, perhaps Borismitted some inadvertent transgression?” he stammered, his usual authority reduced to trembling uncertainty.


    Merlin’s gaze carved through Norwood before sweeping the assembled crowd like a scythe cutting wheat. The very air seemed to thicken under his scrutiny, transforming breathing into a conscious effort. When he finally spoke, his words carried the weight of absolute decree. “Hailee exists under my personal protection now. Anyone foolish enough to target her will discover precisely how seriously I take such affronts.”


    As soon as Merlin’s wordsnded, the entire banquet hall plunged into a silence so thick that it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish.


    Tension rippled through the crowd. Shock, confusion, and disbelief flickered across every face. No wonder Hailee, who seemed like a nobody, had walked in with such quiet confidence. Dressed in Rosa from head to toe, she hadn’t flinched in front of the city’s elite—or even at the mention of a five-million-dor offer. Now they understood. She wasn’t standing alone. She had Merlin behind her. And when Merlin stood behind her, the game changed. Compared to Merlin, Boris was nothing.


    The Craig and Sampson families were stunned into silence. Never in their wildest thoughts had they imagined that this “ordinary” woman would be connected to a man of Merlin’s caliber. If they had known, they would have rolled out the red carpet. But now? Now, the damage was done. They had mocked her. Dismissed her. Offended someone they should have feared. Fear crept into their eyes as the weight of their mistake sank in. Their hands trembled, and their throats went dry.


    Around them, the guests began to quietly reflect on their own actions. Had they somehow offended Hailee? Had they said something wrong? Those who had joined the Craig and Sampson families in insulting Hailee now felt a chill crawl down their spines.


    Meanwhile, a few who had chosen to support Hailee breathed easy, silently relieved they had ended up on the right side.


    Hailee, the woman at the center of it all, was stunned. She stood frozen, her heart pounding, trying to process what Merlin had just said. Her chest rose and fell unevenly as she stared at him.


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    Beside Hailee, Elliana watched with narrowed eyes, her thoughts racing. Merlin’s behavior was the definition of dominance. Why hadn’t he bothered to ask Hailee if she wanted this? Did he think about her wishes before stepping in like this?


    But Merlin didn’t care what anyone thought. He simply did what he wanted to do. He stood tall, calm, andmanding. His presence alone was enough to silence the room. No one dared look him in the eye, let alone speak.


    Then, from the side, Boris slowly pushed himself to his feet. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he wiped it away with the back of his hand, fury zing in…


    His eyes narrowed. He red at Hailee and barked, “Hailee, when did you meet Mr. kely? Are those clothes and jewels from him?”


    Boris’s eyes were bloodshot as he hurled those questions at Hailee. No one else could see the storm raging inside him—jealousy and fear twisting together until he felt like he was unraveling. He was seething with envy, furious that another man had stepped into Hailee’s life. And worse—this man wasn’t just anyone, but Merlin kely, a force he could never hope to match.


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