Chapter 19
Asher immediately tensed up when he heard a familiar voice seaming and whimpering. His mind immediately pictured the worst of things happening to Lily, and without excusing himself, he walked out of his discussion with Mr Darby, and stormed off towards the direction of the voice.
A mix of emotions coursed through him when he set eyes on a inimiliar red dress, and he immediately quickened his pace when he noticed the dress was torn, but when the face wearing it came into the picture, his steps slowly reduced but that didn’t stop Charlotte from dramatically flinging herself into his arms.
She whispered into his chest, clutching tightly onto him. “She hit me! She hit me. Asher Ju–just…” She stopped mid–sentence and let out a cry when Lily slowly walked into the frame, her face contorted in a frown, and her eyes wide with worry.
Once Lily took notice of Charlotte firmly wrapped in Asher’s embrace, her heart dropped to her stomach. There was no way he’d believe her over Charlotte, and if he doesn’t believe her, then… Her eyes found Mrs Darby’s, and all Lily wanted to do
was run away.
Her hands curled tightly at the sides of her dress and she bit down hard on her bottom lip, forcing the tears that had welled up in her eyes, away. For the longest time all she has done was run, she was always running trying to keep the peace but not today. She was finally about to do something for herself and she isn’t going to let anyone, not even Charlotte, take it away from her.
“Sh–She’s lying” She said, but her words came out like a whisper, barely audible to her own ears, but Charlotte must have caught onto it because she began sobbing louder and harder. “For the love of God, can you stop!?” She yelled, and the room went dead pin silent, and all eyes zeroed on her, and she wished she could take back her words but it was already too late.
Meeting Asher’s gaze, she swallowed and shook her head. “I did nothing to her. You have to believe me.” She said, but her voice came out like a plea.
Asher held her gaze for a little while longer, before he slowly looked away and stared at Charlotte, who was still sobbing on his chest. He ran his hands softly down her hair, before he slowly pushed her off his chest. He shrugged off his suit, and wrapped it gently around her, and Lily felt her heart break into a million pieces.
Of course, he believed her. She was the one he loved after all, the one that looks like a victim. Her bottom lip quivered from all the unshed tears, and she immediately bit down hard on it.
She looked around the room, and the eyes that once looked neutral now had an accusing glint to them. Swallowing her tears, she nodded repeatedly. Charlotte was right after all, she had no place here.
Wiping away the tears that managed to slide down her cheeks, she turned on her heels, ready to walk away from it all, when a hand encircled around her wrists stopping her.
“Just a second, babe.” She heard Asher say, and she turned around so fast she almost got a whiplash, and truly Asher was the one who stopped her. A small smile played on the corners of his lips as he stared at her, and Lily narrowed her eyes in confusion. She glanced at Charlotte, who had his suit jacket wrapped around her, then back at Asher, who immediately pulled her closer and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Using his other hand, he gently flicked the tears away from her eyes, before he fetched his handkerchief and cleaned up the smudge on her face from wiping her tears by herself. When he was satisfied with his work, he smiled even more then turned to face everyone, while Lily stared at him, as if in a trance.
“On behalf of the Allard and the Morgan family, I apologize for what happened tonight, especially to our hosts, the Darbys” He glanced at Lily, who was still staring blankly at him and using his thumb and index finger, he motioned for her to smile, before he turned back to face the crowd. “I however want everyone to know that my wife would never deliberately or unconsciously hurt her sister here. There has been a misunderstanding.” Lily’s eyes slowly widened, and she did a double take to make sure she heard him right..
Was he… Defending her?
1/2
Chapter 19
She looked at Charlotte, and she instantly felt bad for her. All the colour had drained from her face, she looked like a ghost as she stared at Asher with wide eyes, and disbelief was swirling them.
“My wife is a sweet soul, and I don’t know what could have possibly happened there to have Charlotte falsely accuse her own sister,” he glanced at her momentarily before he looked away, “hat I assure you my wife wouldn’t do such a thing. And as this is a personal matter, we are going to settle it at the safety of our own home, so please ladies and gentlemen, let’s return to the business of night. And oh, for the safety of everyone here, I believe that whatever transpired tonight won’t make it out of the four corners of this hall. He said with a smile on his face, but the threat laced in his voice was unmistakable.
Everyone raised their glasses to him, and returned to whatever they were doing as if nothing happened.
“Why don’t you go and finish your talk with Mrs Darby, I’m going to see Charlotte out.” Asher said, his gaze fixed on a pale looking Charlotte.
Lily glanced between the both of them, before she nodded and moved away from them. “Can we go once you’re…
“I’ll be waiting for you outside.” He said before Lity could get all her words out, and walked away.
Without sparing Charlotte a glance, Lily immediately scurried away in search of Mrs Darby. It didn’t take long for her to be stood staring found in the mass of people, however the confidence Lily came with her evaporated into thin air and she just transfixed at Mrs Darby’s back.
“Lily!” Mrs Darby exclaimed when she turned and saw her. Tam so sorry about what happened today. I should have taken security more…
“It’s really no fault of yours, Mrs Darby, please don’t apologize.” Mrs Darby smiled and rubbed her arms softly.
“You look like you need a rest from all of this. She whispered, gently tucking her hair behind her ear. “Why don’t you go
later?” home and get some rest? I’ll get your email from the company and send over the details of our contract to you
Lily’s eyes widened, “you are still giving me the job?”
“Of course! I’m curious to see the magic you’ll make.” Lily’s face immediately lit up and she gave her a quick hug.
Thank you so much. I really really appreciate this.” Mrs Darby waved it off with a chuckle..
“it’s nothing, now run along. Lily grinned and with a quick nod, she scrurried off excitedly to share the news with Asher. But her excitement fizzled into thin air when she walked out and saw Asher’s lips locked in on Charlotte’s.
SEND GIFT
