Chapter 172


    Horatio’s gaze lingered on Matilda’s smile with an intensity that could shatter stone. He signaled his


    men to restrain her despite her fierce struggle, and with cold indifference in his eyes, he forced her into


    the car.


    “Den’s got a shindig at Mago tonight,” hemanded, “Take this woman there!”


    Twenty minutester, Horatio was forcefully ushering Matilda into Mago. They made a beeline for the


    V2 room, and Matilda couldn’t help but wonder how Horatio had gotten wind of their location. But then,


    it made sense–the Yoakum family’s influence was far–reaching. It was unlikely they wouldn’t know


    where Den and Chloe were.


    As they entered, Matilda and Horatio spotted Chloe, all smiles, gracefully toasting with the men at


    Den’s side. She had the act down pat–an old pro at ying the part of the charmingpanion.


    The word on the street was that Chloe would do anything for Den, even if it cost her her life. She


    was his fiercest defender, his most loyal hound. Men came and went, treating her with disdain or


    cruelty, but at Den’smand, Chloe would rise, battered but beaming, her voice sweet as honey,


    “How are you doing, sir?”


    It was as if she felt no pain–or perhaps she had long ago discarded her own senses.


    It was then that Matilda noticed the shift in Horatio’s mood.


    Chloe’s hand stiffened as she saw Horatio bring Matilda in, and her practiced smile


    froze.


    Sensing an unexpected turn of events, Den casually squinted his eyes and raised his ss toward


    the door. “Mr. Yoakum, joining the party? Care for a drink?”


    Chloe’s face drained of color. “Mr. Yeager, please…” she pleaded silently for a shred of dignity.


    But Den, as if deaf to her pleas, continued to watch Matilda with a half–smile. “Ms. Thompson, are


    you joining us too?”


    Matilda’s hands were restrained behind her back; it was clear she wasn’t there by


    choice.


    The crowd sensed a drama unfolding–Horatio Yoakum, the family’s golden boy, hade with a


    purpose.


    10.03


    Chapter 172


    “Horatio, let Matilda go!” yelled Chloe.


    Horatio sneered, “Chloe. Since when do you give orders to me?”


    Chloe’s voice trembled as she spoke, “Who gave you the right toy a hand on her!”


    “Do I need your permission to act?” Horatio flicked his cigarette to the floor and crushed it under his


    heel, hands in his pockets as he strode in, his men following


    with Matilda in tow.


    Dapper andposed, only his eyes betrayed a ruthless glee as he addressed Den. “Mr. Yeager, I


    need to borrow your secretary.”


    “You fancy my secretary?” Den chuckled nonchntly. “Fine, I’ll gift her to you.”


    As Chloe’s eyes welled up, she stood to protect Matilda and preserve the peace. She grabbed a ss


    of liquor. “Mr. Yoakum, don’t scare me. If I’ve offended you, I


    apologize. Please, have mercy and let my dear friend go!”


    Look at that–Horatio loathed nothing more than Chloe’s silver tongue, her way of charming and


    disarming anyone who dared to degrade her.


    I


    Horatio’sugh was sinister. “Drink a whole bottle, and I’ll let you off the hook.”


    Chloe’s grip on the ss shook. Den noticed her fear but remained silent, the room. thick with


    tension.


    Then, a clear, cold voice cut through the silence. “Drink a bottle? Mr. Yoakum, you didn’t specify who,


    did you? I’ll do it!”


    Before anyone could react, Matilda snatched an unsealed bottle of Hennessy from the table and


    pressed it to her lips, tilting it back fiercely.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Chloe couldn’t hold back her tears.


    Den’s pupils constricted in shock. He had always thought Chloe, devoid of dignity, could never have


    a true friend. Yet, in the face of adversity, when everyone else was eager to torment a defenseless


    woman, it was the slender Matilda who stood up for her.