Chapter 274

Lucas Evans bent down to pick up his jacket.

He placed it back over her shoulders.

"I'm fine." His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the metallic taste in his mouth.

Adrian Sinclair's punch had been brutal and precise, nearly shattering his jaw.

Anna Ross opened her mouth to speak.

Before any sound could escape, she was yanked into an embrace.

Adrian's arms locked around her, tight enough to hurt.

His icy gaze cut toward Lucas. "Stay away from her."

"If there's a next time, I won't hesitate to make you disappear."

Lucas let out a derisive laugh.

He reached for her hand. "She's her own person, not your property."

"What happens between us is none of your business."

Anna broke free from the embrace.

She stumbled backward.

"Thank you, Lucas." Her lashes lowered, voice barely a whisper. "But it's impossible."

"Please don't look for me again."

She turned and steadied herself against the wall.

She didn't dare look back.

The hallway lights stretched her shadow long and thin.

Each step crushed the light in Lucas's eyes.

He collapsed onto the sofa.

His hands covered his face.

Only suffocating silence remained in the room.

......

The night wind outside the hotel was biting.

As Anna descended the steps, she nearly collided with Julian Garnache.

"Anna!" He rushed forward to steady her wobbling frame. "You're so pale. Do you need a hospital?"

She shook her head, her eyelashes damp. "Julian, what are you doing here?"

"The bar owner said you'd disappeared. I was worried." He frowned, studying her. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Before she could answer, hurried footsteps sounded behind them.

Adrian emerged, reaching for her wrist. "I'll take you home."

Anna sidestepped his touch.

She looked at Julian. "Could you please take me back?"

Julian immediately guided her toward his car.

Adrian moved to block them, but Chloe Valentine grabbed his sleeve.

"Adrian, she doesn't want to go with you." Her voice trembled. "Don't force her."

Adrian shot her a cold glance.

Chloe released his arm as if burned.

When she looked up again, the black sedan had vanished into the night.

Chloe sighed softly. "Anna is certainly popular."

"One admirer just left, and another is already waiting."

She glanced at Adrian's tense profile from the corner of her eye.

Secret delight bloomed in her chest.

Then, a voice colder than ice shattered her moment.

"You'd better have an explanation for tonight." Adrian narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Cold sweat dampened Chloe's palms.

She forced a wounded expression. "I never expected things to turn out like this..."

"I'm so sorry, Adrian..."