"Got you." The man leaned close to her ear, his voice low, sensual, and teasing.
His warm breath fanned across her sensitive ear.
Seeing her up close was even more breathtaking.
She wore only light makeup, yet her beauty was heart-stopping, impossible to look away from.
While Erik studied her, she assessed him in return.
That night in the booth had been too dark to see his face clearly.
Now, he wore only a black dress shirt, its tails tucked neatly into matching black suit trousers.
The perfectly tailored trousers hugged his long, powerfully built legs.
Dangerous yet captivating phoenix eyes, an aristocratic nose, and sensual lips combined into flawlessly handsome features.
Dangerous. Tempting. Exuding raw pheromones. Memories of his sweat dripping onto her body...
"Whoever you are, don't interfere with my business." The little fox's beautiful lips parted, her words ruthlessly cold.
"Don't worry. I'm not your enemy. Do whatever you want. Even if you want to kill or set fires, I'll cover for you." His voice was a seductive murmur near her ear. "But after you finish what you want... will you do what I want?"
"Fine. Our... issues can wait." Her melodious voice dripped with danger.
"Good. Need me to play along?"
"You just sit right here and 'behave'." Janelle pushed him firmly back into his seat, emphasizing the word "behave".
As she turned to leave, his large, elegantly boned hand captured her left one, fingers interlaced tightly.
Janelle's temper flared, but with everyone's eyes on her, she couldn't make a scene.
"Don't run."
Janelle considered snapping his fingers. She, Janelle, feared no one's threats.
But the man anticipated her intent. A silent battle of strength ensued between their clasped hands.
"I'm not running. You just wait."
"Good. I'll wait."
Perfectly normal words, yet he infused them with palpable intimacy.
Sara immediately appeared at Janelle's side.
"Who is he?"
"Don't know!"
"Really? Feels like there's history..." Sara glanced again at the tall, striking man.
"Later."
"Mr. Rovella! What is the meaning of this? Why is she here?" Mrs. Hill demanded, displeasure etched on her face. Today was Lillie and Nelson's joyous engagement celebration. What was Janelle doing here?
"Five years ago, Janelle shamelessly pursued Nelson, causing a city-wide scandal. Now she shows up again? What does she want?" Mrs. Hill's disgust was blatant.
Janelle and Sara walked towards them under the weight of the entire room's gaze.
Hearing Mrs. Hill, Janelle laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Mrs. Hill was incensed by her smile.
"I'm laughing at your arrogance. Is your son some divine chosen one? Does every woman on earth want to marry him?"
"You—!" If it weren't for the elite gathering, Mrs. Hill would have lunged to tear that smug face apart.
"Mother, enough." Nelson, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Regardless, she is Lillie's sister. Don't make this harder for Lillie."
Everyone looked at Lillie. Her fists clenched tightly.
For Lillie's sake? More like for Janelle's! His eyes hadn't left Janelle since she walked in.
"Janelle, now that you're back, stop making trouble. Life on the border must have been tough enough." Nelson continued, his gaze sweeping dismissively towards the corner. "And this is Graham City. Don't bring your... questionable acquaintances here." He clearly meant the man with Janelle.
"Janelle! Who is that man? No matter what, you are my daughter! I won't have you mingling with disreputable men!" Westin Rovella felt humiliated by Nelson's implication.
"Father? What are you saying? Weren't you the one keeping a wife at home while chasing skirts outside? What right do you have to lecture me?" Janelle asked mockingly. "You know what they call that? 'A crooked stick will have a crooked shadow!'"
"You—!" Westin was apoplectic. He charged forward, hand raised to strike Janelle.
Seeing this, Janelle sidestepped neatly and stuck out her foot as he rushed past.
His blow missed. Westin tripped and flew forward – straight towards Mrs. Hill.
He crashed into her, sending them both sprawling to the floor.
A collective gasp filled the room.
"Holy smokes! What just happened?!"
Live drama! This was too good!
"Father! Could it be... you've taken a fancy to Mrs. Hill? This is terrible! Right in public! What if no one was here to see..." Janelle feigned shock, covering her mouth with her hand.
To make it worse, Westin's hand landed squarely on Mrs. Hill's chest.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
Being tackled by a man in public, in such an embarrassing position, Mrs. Hill shrieked.
Amber rushed to help Westin up, while Lillie and Nelson hurried to assist Mrs. Hill.
"Janelle! How could you do this?! Are you still obsessed with Nelson?!"
"Mother Hill, please don't be angry. Janelle... she just cares for Nelson too deeply." Lillie simpered, adding fuel to the fire.
"Call security! Throw this little bitch out! I won't have her here!" Mrs. Hill screamed, abandoning all decorum.
"Sister, how can you blame me? He threw himself at her. Maybe... Father just likes that type?" Janelle suggested innocently.
Memories flooded back – how Mrs. Hill had treated her mother. Accusing the innocent woman of seducing Mr. Hill, hurling vile insults, publicly humiliating her. Janelle remembered every cruel word.
"Mrs. Hill, I recall when I was little... you often came to our house when my mother wasn't home. You wouldn't have been... involved back then, would you?" Janelle deliberately left the implication hanging. Gossip could kill, and now the Hills' matriarch was its target.
"You little bitch! How dare you?! I'll tear your lying mouth apart!" Mrs. Hill, beyond furious, lunged again, forgetting all pretense of dignity.
Nelson grabbed his mother's arm, his face dark as he glared at Janelle.
"Janelle! Today is my and Lillie's engagement banquet. If you're not here to offer congratulations, then leave. Don't make this any uglier." His gaze was complex as he looked at her.
She must still love me. Why else would she sneak back from the border and cause this scene?
Janelle looked at him, amusement clear in her eyes. His arrogance was astounding.
"Are all the men in the world dead? That I'd pine for you? Take a look in the mirror!"
"Janelle, I know you're bitter, but feelings... they can't be forced." Nelson said, adopting a pitying tone.
The man who had been quietly observing the chaos from the corner had heard enough.
Erik stepped to Janelle's side. One strong arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. His grip was unyielding, preventing her from moving.
"She likes you? Are you dreaming? What an average guy with overconfidence." Erik's voice dripped with contempt.
Standing at 6'3" (190cm), Erik towered over the 6'0" (183cm) Nelson, forcing him to look up. Nelson hated the feeling.