Sebastian Quinn? The mysterious self–made man who’d wed his way out of blood and carnage?
I turned to look and was momentarily stunned.]]
I’d expected some hulking tough guy, but he was so… refined.[]
Tall and lean, wearing thin–rimmed sses.[]
“Miss Bet, pleased to meet you.“]
Sebastian walked over and extended a clean, well–defined hand.[]
shook it somewhat bewildered, asking quietly:[]
“You know me?<b>” </b>
Sebastian chuckled softly, leaning close to whisper<b>:</b>[]
“I heard Mr. Bet’s been unconscious for quite some time. I happen to know a miraculous doctor–he’s already on his way to the hospital.”
I stared at him in shock.
Before I could react, someone yanked my arm backward hard.]
I stumbled and bumped into a warm, solid chest.[]
“Vera, you just throw yourself at any man you meet?”
Damien looked down at me, his voice crackling with anger.[]
I struggled out of his embrace, warning him sternly.[]
“We’re divorced now. Keep your distance!“]]
Damien was momentarily speechless, his face darker than I’d ever seen it.[]
“Mr. Thorne, what’s gotten into you<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Aria saw how close he and I had been and couldn’t keep the usation out of her voice.[]
“You must be Miss Sterling?” Sebastian suddenly spoke up.[]
Aria blinked, then seeing the man’s handsome face, shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.[]
She thought if she could get Sebastian in her corner, maybe she wouldn’t have to pay that seven hundred million!]
But before she could make her move, Sebastian said:]
50.3%
“Miss Sterling, hasn’t anyone told you not to tuck your hair back like that? It makes your face look really big.“]
Aria choked, feeling like an arrow had just pierced her heart.]
Before she could respond, Sebastian smiled again:]
<b>“</b>I hear you sat in that seat. Very generous of you, Miss Sterling. When exactly will you be settling the bill?”
Though Sebastian was smiling, the fine lines around his eyes somehow brought to mind a snake flicking its tongue.]]
Aria shuddered and pressed closer to Damien.[]
“Mr. Thorne, you have to save me!“]]
Damien was always patient with women in vulnerable positions.[]
After patting Aria’s shoulder reassuringly, he addressed Sebastian:[]
“Mr. Quinn, she didn’t understand the rules here. In business, we all give and take. Could you do me a favor and let this slide? I’ll cover tonight’s staff and venue costs.“]]
Damien spoke earnestly, but Sebastian just turned to me with a smile.]
“Vera–Bear, it’s your call. <b>If </b>you say Miss Sterling doesn’t have to pay, this all goes away.“]]
“But <b>if </b>you want Miss Sterling to cover everything… well<b>, </b>she won’t be walking out of here in one piece.“[]
Vera–Bear…]
That nickname felt strangely familiar. I stared at him, momentarily lost in thought.[]
Seeing Sebastian and me gazing at each other, that inexplicable rage red up in Damien again.]]
“Vera, I really underestimated you.“]
“Do you have any shame at all?”
Watching him seethe through gritted teeth, I waspletely confused.]]
“What the hell is wrong with you?“]
Though we’d been cold to each other before, I’d never been nasty to him.]]
Damien froze for two seconds.[]
Too tired to deal with him, I smiled at Sebastian:]
“Naturally, I want to fulfill Miss Sterling’s generous spirit of sharing joy with everyone.“[]
Hearing this, Aria red at me with pure hatred, nearly grinding her teeth to dust.[]
“Vera, you’re doing this on purpose! You and Sebastian are obviously working together to frame me!“]
“You’re trying to kill me!“]
With that, she ran straight for the window.
It was a thirty–plus meter drop outside.[]
Damien was so terrified his usually steady voice trembled.[]
“Aria, don’t do anything stupid. Come back!“]
The wind whipped at Aria’s dress as she screamed hysterically:[]
“Vera’s the one forcing me to this! She wants me dead!“]]
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