Chapter 156

"Don't go!"

Tears welled in her eyes as she wrapped her arms tightly around him from behind.

Her cheek pressed helplessly against his broad back.

Her voice choked with emotion. "I'm begging you. Just agree to this one thing for me. Please?"

"Begging me?"

Adrian Sinclair stood with his back to her, his expression unreadable.

"I said I don't need this."

He applied force with his hands, pushing her away.

Anna Ross staggered back, nearly losing her balance.

He instinctively started to turn and catch her.

But another figure was quicker to shield that slender form.

Lucas Evans steadied her, positioning himself between them.

Adrian slowly retracted his hand, left hanging in the air.

His gaze turned icy as he watched the two before him.

Lucas ensured she was secure before rounding on Adrian.

He shoved him back hard. "What gives you the right to treat her like this?"

"Just because you were together once, you think you can bully her however you want?"

Adrian's eyes grew colder. He remained silent.

He tried to check on Anna, but Lucas completely blocked his view.

Only then did he realize he had used too much force earlier.

Lucas ignored him, turning urgently to Anna. "Are you hurt?"

Thank goodness he had arrived in time.

He dreaded to think what might have happened otherwise.

Now he finally understood why she was so afraid of Adrian.

This man was utterly cold and heartless.

Lucas's heart ached for her. He silently vowed to protect her.

He would never give Adrian another chance to hurt her.

"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Anna regained her composure, looking at him in surprise.

She couldn't understand his sudden appearance.

Then she remembered Adrian was still there.

He had warned her against associating with Lucas.

Her heart pounded as she stepped back, deliberately creating distance.

But Lucas closed the gap. "Anna, I came specifically to see you."

"Good thing I did. Who knows what he might have done to you."

He glared daggers at Adrian.

He found the other man watching them with an impassive expression.

Beneath that calm gaze lay a depth of icy coldness.

It sent an inexplicable chill down Lucas's spine.

Anna met Adrian's gaze and flinched away as if shocked.

She spoke softly. "Lucas, it's late. You should go back."

"Anna, don't be afraid of him. I'm here. He won't dare do anything." Lucas shielded her behind him, guarding her like a precious treasure.

Anna sighed inwardly.

His intentions were good, but he didn't realize he was ruining her plan.

Right now, getting Adrian's agreement was all that mattered.

She had already sacrificed her dignity. Nothing else was important.

"Lucas, I said you don't need to stay here." Her voice turned cold as she deliberately stepped back to Adrian's side.

She refused to look at him again.

Lucas stared at her in confusion.

Her icy attitude instantly pushed him a thousand miles away.