Chapter 1854


    Lance braced himself for a beating from Manley, absorbing a couple of punches and defensively


    hugging his head. "Manley, I was wrong, I admit it," he whimpered. "I won''t dare again, I swear. Please,


    just let me off this once. I''ll follow your lead from now on!"


    It was clear to him: cross Jonathan, and his whole family paid the price; cross Manley, and he got


    roughed up.


    Manley, having vented his anger and delivered onest kick to Lance, growled, "Get lost, and make


    sure I don''t see your face again!"


    Disoriented from the beating, Lance scrambled away as soon as Manley loosened his grip.


    Leaning against the wall, Manley lit a cigarette, drawing in a deep breath. A sly smile cracked his lips.


    He didn''t care what others thought of him, but knowing this got under Jonathan''s skin made it all


    worthwhile.


    As Manley left, the banquet hall erupted in whispers. Mr. Scott, dismayed by the "incident,"mented


    the misfortune that had befallen his family. Realizing the marriage arrangement with the Bradshaw


    family was now a pipe dream, he retreated upstairs.


    In the shadow of a grand Corinthian column, Estelle and Jonathan had also witnessed the spectacle.


    Jonathan was somewhat pleased with Lance''s performance. It wasn''t as heartfelt as Charlie had


    described, but it was effective nheless.


    Estelle shot him a look. "Don''t tell me you put Lance up to this?"


    Jonathan''s eyes glinted. "He had iting, messing with me. And if he dares to bother you again, I''ll


    send him to Antarctica to feed the penguins!"


    Estelle sighed. "Alright, he''s probably fuming by now. Let''s just leave it at that."


    Jonathan''s lips curved into a thin smile. "Defending him?"


    "Jonathan!" Estelle frowned.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    His gaze softened at her feigned anger, and he couldn''t help but feel a tickle in his heart. Deepening


    his eyes, he grasped her chin and pressed her against the column for a passionate kiss.


    Behind the column was a crowded banquet hall, and in front was a floor-to-ceiling window looking out


    onto a terrace. Anyone could pass by, and Estelle, nervous, grabbed his wrist, whispering, "Not here!"


    Jonathan murmured against her lips, "Don''t side with him. It hurts me."


    Estelle''s resistance melted, and she stood on tiptoes to return his kiss, her eyes locked onto his. "Does


    it still hurt?"


    He found it hard to resist, wishing he could just whisk her away.


    The world around them faded; he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to make her his.


    The terrace beyond the window wasn''t the main corridor, so it was usually quiet, yet asionally,


    someone woulde by to enjoy the view.


    Sabina, finding the ballroom too noisy, had stepped out onto the terrace for some fresh air. As she was


    returning, she nced through the window and caught sight of a couple kissing. She scoffed, intending


    to quicken her pace, but her gaze froze.


    It was Jonathan!


    He had actuallye back!


    And the girl he was kissing so intimately was someone she knew all too well.


    Sabina''s heart raced as she hid behind a massive potted tree, eyes fixed on Estelle. She felt a twinge


    of bitterness and jealousy flood her heart.


    She knew Estelle had snagged Jonathan, but seeing them in such a passionate embrace shook her.


    Despite Estelle''s identity as KING, Sabina couldn''t understand how she, with her superior family


    background, education, and abilities, had lost to her. It was something Sabina could not, would not,


    ept.