Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
“Relax. I know what I’m doing. I’m just showing you how much I like you, Evie. If you’re smart, you won’t reject me.”
Carleigh grabbed Evie’s wrists and pressed her against the wall. A wave of fear and disgust surged through her. She struggled, but Carleigh was stronger, his left hand holding her wrists while his right hand covered her mouth.
Just then, a voice echoed down the hallway.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
Evie’s heart leapt at the sound. She turned her head, eyes widening with relief as she saw Waylon standing a few feet away.
Carleigh stiffened. His expression shifted instantly, his usual smugness replaced by forced politeness. But he didn’t let go of Evie.
“Mr. Patton,” Carleigh said, forcing a smile.
“I should be the one apologizing. We’ll take this elsewhere.” He made a move to drag Evie with him.
Waylon calmly flicked the ash from his cigarette.
“Wait.”
Carleigh halted, turning slightly.
“Mr. Patton, is there something else?” Waylon stepped closer, his gaze moving from Carleigh to Evie.
“I don’t interfere in other people’s fun,” he said coolly.
“But these things are best when mutual. She doesn’t seem very willing, does she?”
Carleigh let out an awkward laugh.
“You’ve got it all wrong. She’s just shy. Right, Evie?” He glanced at Evie, attempting to make light of the situation.
“This is just between us—a bit of fun.”
Waylon’s expression remained unreadable. He looked at Evie again, his gaze indifferent as if he couldn’t see the silent plea in her eyes.
“Alright,” he finally said.
“If she’s here willingly, then I won’t interfere. Enjoy your evening.”
Carleigh beamed.
“Thank you, Mr. Patton! We’ll be on our way then.”
Carleigh’s fingers dug into Evie’s arm like iron manacles, his intent clear as he tried to drag her away. Terror gripped Evie’s heart as she watched her last chance at salvation begin to slip through her fingers. With desperate abandon, she thrashed against his hold.
Something primal awakened within her—a surge of raw survival instinct. Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into Carleigh’s hand. His howl of pain pierced the air as his grip loosened, and Evie seized her chance. She bolted toward Waylon, her trembling fingers intertwining with his.
“Waylon, please,” she pleaded, her voice quivering.
“He’s forcing me into this. Help me.”
Carleigh followed behind, quickly saying, “Waylon, don’t let her wild accusations fool you. You know my character, don’t you? We’ve just sealed a deal—what reason would I have to deceive you?”
Through their joined hands, Waylon felt every tremor of Evie’s fear, every ounce of her desperation seeping into his skin. Deep furrows carved themselves across Waylon’s brows as he wrestled with his thoughts. Finally, he extracted his hand from Evie’s grip.
A flash of triumph lit up Carleigh’s eyes at Waylon’s apparent withdrawal. Their families’ partnership, he believed, would keep Waylon from meddling in this affair.
However, just as he happily stepped forward, ready to take Evie away, Waylon fixed him with a cold stare.
“If memory serves, Carleigh, I made it crystal clear that the lady’s consent was non-negotiable. If you’re willing to betray my trust now, how can I possibly rely on your word in our business ventures?” Though Carleigh’s romantic entanglements were notoriously casual, he took business matters with deadly seriousness. Waylon’s warning cut straight to his core, forcing an immediate decision.
“My deepest apologies, Mr. Patton,” Carleigh said, his earlier bravado crumbling.
“The alcohol clouded my judgment today. Evie, I sincerely regret my inappropriate behavior. My assistant will arrange compensation, and you have my word this will never happen again. Would that suffice?”
Carleigh’s eyes darted nervously to Waylon, dread settling in his stomach at the thought of their business alliance crumbling over this transgression.
A charged silence filled the air as Waylon’s gaze shifted to Evie. Something in that wordless exchange made Carleigh’s skin prickle with unease, his mind racing to decipher the undercurrent between them. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt—could there be something more between Waylon and this woman?
The thought sent a chill down Carleigh’s spine. If his suspicions were true, Waylon would surely take Evie’s side and make him pay dearly for this mistake!
The tension stretched thin as Evie maintained her silence, only to be shattered by Waylon’s glacial tone.
“You’ve said your piece. Why are you still here?”
Carleigh practically leaped out of his skin.
“Yes, yes, I’m going right now, this instant!”
He vanished down the hallway as if pursued by demons, leaving Waylon and Evie alone.
Despite her rescue, a hollow ache filled Evie’s chest. When Carleigh had tried to drag her away, Waylon’s first instinct hadn’t been to protect her—instead, he’d suspected there was something between her and Carleigh.
Was that what he thought of me?
Evie bowed her head in silence, unable to meet his gaze. Waylon studied her, his fist clenching and unclenching as he battled with himself. Finally, his resolve melted, and he reached out to pat her head with unexpected gentleness.
“It’s alright now. You’re safe. Let me take you home.”
Evie’s head snapped up in surprise, her eyes wide as they searched Waylon’s face, but he had already withdrawn his hand and started walking ahead.
In the car, the driver took his place up front while Evie settled into the back seat, maintaining a careful distance from Waylon. The space between them felt like a chasm.
The silence stretched on until they passed a familiar street filled with food stalls. Waylon’s voice cut through the quiet as he addressed the driver.
“Pull over here. We’ll get something to eat.”
“Yes, Mr. Patton.”
Hearing this, Evie shifted her fingers uncertainly.
She hadn’t eaten much at the banquet, and hunger gnawed at her stomach. A wave of emotion washed over her as she realized Waylon remembered her fondness for this place—and chose to bring her here.
“Let’s go.”
Waylon held the car door open, his voice softer than before.
Evie nodded, falling into step behind him.
Ansport’s most famous food street hadn’t changed—vendors called out to passing customers, tantalizing aromas filled the air, and crowds bustled between the stalls. Everything was just as she remembered, except now there was no warmth of his hand in hers.
As Evie lost herself in the vibrant atmosphere, the terror of Carleigh’s actions and the sting of Waylon’s earlier indifference began to fade. She found herself savoring her favorite street food, her cheeks puffed out with each delicious bite.
Still dressed in their elegant banquet attire, Waylon and Evie cut striking figures among the casual crowd. Their presence turned heads, but their ease in navigating the bustling street led most onlookers to dismiss them as social media personalities staging content. They moved on with little more than a passing glance. But Jenny would never fail to recognize her friend.
Juggling a skewer in one hand and a steaming coffee in the other, she squeezed through the throng of people with unbridled enthusiasm, accidentally bumping against Waylon’s shoulder in her excitement.
“Waylon, what are you doing here? Oh, I absolutely love this place! Thanks so much for telling me about it!”
The words hit Evie like a physical blow. She had been the one to share this hidden gem with Waylon, yet he had shared it with his “new girlfriend.” A knot formed in her throat, and suddenly the food in her hand tasted like ash. The festive atmosphere that had momentarily lifted her spirits now felt suffocating.
“Waylon, won’t you introduce this enchanting young lady beside you?” Jenny asked.
Waylon glanced at Evie, but before he could utter a word, she stepped forward with quiet confidence.
“Hello, I am Evie.”
“Evie?”
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