Rebecca watched impassively as Vance helped Catherine up, maintaining his composure and grace as he took his leave, ” I sincerely apologize for any trouble caused at tonight’s banquet. I’ll take my companion to leave now. You guys enjoy yourselves. 11 He guided the tear – streaked Catherine away from the scene, with Aiden following closely in their wake. Midway through their exit, Aiden turned back, casting a venomous glare at Rebecca. Once again, the blame fell squarely on her. ” Let’s not let those unpleasant folks spoil the mood, Rebecca.
The banquet goes on, ” Joyce said, tugging her along with a warm smile. Joyce had just introduced her as Desmond’s lifesaver, but Rebecca racked her brain and couldn’t recall any heroic act worthy of such praise. She didn’t dare claim undeserved credit. ” It’s perfectly normal that you don’t remember, ” Joyce said gently. ” Someday, let Desmond fill you in himself.”
“I didn’t do anything earth – shattering, right? ” Rebecca joked lightly. ” Otherwise, I’d surely recall it. ” Joyce squeezed her hand.
“Saving someone doesn’t always mean pulling them from the jaws of death or a blazing inferno. Sometimes, when a person is trapped in their deepest despair, unable to find any reason to go on, even the faintest glimmer of light can reignite their hope. ” Rebecca froze, the words sinking in like a revelation. She wasn’t sure if everyone endured such profound darkness, but in her own bleakest moments, her light had been dancing itself and the memory of her once – vibrant, shining self. The thought always brought a sting of tears to her eyes.
Throughout the evening, Joyce and the rest of the family enveloped Rebecca in kindness, going out of their way to make her feel cared for and included. As the banquet wound down, Desmond offered to escort her back. Stepping out of the venue and descending the grand steps, Rebecca spotted Vance waiting at the bottom.
Hadn’t Vance left with his crew? Why was he still here? He remained in his tuxedo, blending seamlessly among the elite crowd, though his hair was slightly disheveled now. He stood motionless on the lowest step, as if patiently awaiting Rebecca’s descent. ” Shall we take this side path instead? ” Desmond suggested, noticing her hesitation. Rebecca nodded in agreement. But just as they veered away, Vance bounded up the steps, blocking her path with deliberate calm. ” You see me now, yet you’re still planning to leave with someone else?” His voice was steady, but his eyes held an inscrutable intensity. The night’s events had clearly shaken him deeply. If resentment brewed, he’d likely direct it at her, as he always did. Rebecca offered a wry smile. ” Didn’t you want me to pretend I don’t know you?”
“When did I ever say that? ” he countered sharply. She found the back – and – forth exhausting. Pointless accusations without proof could loop endlessly. ” Excuse me, Mr. Bradford, ” she murmured, dipping her head to slip past him.
But in a move that caught her off guard, Vance scooped her into his arms, his grip firm and unyielding. ” What are you doing? ” she exclaimed, her heart racing in surprise. Not responding, he carried her down the steps with purposeful strides. The banquet had just ended, and guests lingered everywhere ; making a scene would only humiliate her further. She couldn’t afford that kind of attention. Vance leaned in close, his voice a low warning. ” You’re my wife. You’d better make sure Desmond knows his boundaries. I’m an outsider here, and I can afford to lose face if I snap.
But can the Mueller heir handle the scandal of pursuing another man’s wife? 11 ” Not everyone is as shameless as you, ” she shot back. Yet she truly didn’t want Desmond entangled in any gossip because of her, so she signaled him to hold back. She was going back anyway. It didn’t matter who she went back with. Vance had driven that night, his car parked right at the base of the steps. He carried her straight to it, yanked open the door, and deposited her inside with little ceremony. ” Where are you staying? ” he demanded once behind the wheel.
Rebecca pressed her lips together, refusing to answer. ” Fine, keep it to yourself, ” he muttered, starting the engine and pulling away. She had no clue where he was headed, but jumping from a moving car was out of the question. Her legs could not bear any more injuries. She wasn’t worried that much. A dignified man like him would not truly harm her. Objectively speaking, he wasn’t a villain. For five years, he’d treated her well enough. On their wedding day, he’d vowed before Josette to care for Rebecca lifelong, never to betray her trust.
And in the days that followed, he had kept that promise, bringing in renowned doctors to treat her leg and showering her with gifts regardless of CL need or cost. If she coughed even once at night, he’d instruct Nancy to take her to the hospital and prepare medicine. Such gestures were innumerable. Without them, she wouldn’t have endured five years until Catherine’s return. If there was one fault he had, it was that he didn’t love her. That absence tilted every balance toward those he truly cherished.
Vance drove straight to a hotel and parked smoothly before circling to her side, opening the door, and lifting her out. ” Should I carry you inside, or can you walk on your own? ” he asked, his arms still cradling her.
“I’ll walk, ” Rebecca replied, her brow furrowed in confusion and unease. What was he playing at, bringing her to a hotel? But she saw no point in a futile escape. With her limp, outrunning him was impossible. He proceeded to book a room, leaving her staring in disbelief. ” Don’t tell me this is for me.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ve already got a room elsewhere. Why on earth would I stay here? ” Ignoring her protest, Vance turned to the receptionist. ” Can we check in with just the number?”
“Of course, ” came the reply.
To her astonishment, he smoothly recited her ID number. ” You remember my ID number? ” Rebecca muttered. 1 She’d always acknowledged his meticulousness, but it stemmed from organization. His phone reminders did the work for him ; it was not a heartfelt effort. His eyes narrowed. ” How could I forget the details of the woman set to inherit everything I own? ” Rebecca was at a loss for words. Vance noticed Rebecca’s silence, sneering. ” Plotting my demise already? Or just counting down the days? ” The receptionist was startled, almost dropping the key card.
She even cast a suspicious glance at Rebecca. Rebecca met her gaze with wide – eyed innocence, as if saying, ” Do I look like a killer? ” Vance snorted, reading her mind. ” Drop the act. You’ve come close to finishing me off these past days. ” She had to admit his insight was razor – sharp, piercing her subtle thoughts effortlessly. Yet he remained blind to Catherine’s manipulations or perhaps willfully so. Vance took the key card, fixing Rebecca with a steady stare. ” Come on.”
“I …” Her protest dissolved as he swept her up again, leaving the receptionist gaping in shock. He carried her to the elevator, only setting her down as it ascended. In the mirrored walls, she glimpsed his arm wrapped tightly around her waist and shoved against him instinctively. ” That repulsed? ” he murmured, pulling her closer. ” You didn’t seem so averse when that dancer spun you around.”
“Vance! ” She bristled at his insinuating tone. ” Quit pretending you’re a jealous spouse. That’s not your role!”
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