Chapter 1336

Chapter 1336:

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. Johns,” 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?

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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.”

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