Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Lion’s Den

Chapter 104: Lion’s Den

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Marco subtly gulped at the sight before him as his gaze lingered on her with admiration. But it wasn’t just him. Every man within sight had paused with their eyes quietly fixed on Grace as if the air itself had shifted.

“Hm. You look like a bride. Well done,” Bartholomew remarked breaking the silent trance and snapping them all back to reality

The compliment it it could be called that fell flat, hollow, and cold. And it did nothing to lighten the burden Grace carried Without waiting for another word, Bartholomew clapped his hands and walked toward his waiting car as his guards began falling into step.

Marco remained by the vehicle designated for Grace. His hands were tucked into his coat pockets and his posture was straight as he waited. He watched as one of the guards gently escorted her down the steps.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured when she passed him in a low and sincere tone.

But Grace didn’t even blink. No glance, no nod, no reaction. She simply slipped into the back seat of the car like royalty brushing past a servant.

Marco moved to take the front seat, but before his hand could reach the door, her voice cut through the air like a knife dipped in silk.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing in my car?”

The driver stiffened behind the wheel. Marco froze and then slowly turned to meet her eyes.

“In case you forgot, I’m your father’s consigliere,” he replied calmly, “and your bodyguard.”

Grace softly yet bitterly laughed at his response. She leaned forward just enough for her voice to reach him through the open door, her tone poised like a blade.

“I admire your confidence,” she said. “Truly. It’s almost noble how you keep throwing that title around like it means something to me.”

Marco’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t speak.

“In case it escaped your memory,” she continued, her words smooth and cruel in equal measure, “the moment this engagement was arranged, you became irrelevant to me. Not as a man, not even as a bodyguard, but as someone whose opinion I’m obligated

to tolerate.”

She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to.

“Whatever power you think you have over me… I suggest you tuck it away before you embarrass yourself further.”

Marco’s fingers curled into fists as his chest tightened, but Grace’s expression didn’t waver.

“After tonight,” she added, her voice calm as glass, “you will no longer have the right to stand beside me, let alone speak to me as if we share something personal. We don’t.”

With that, she leaned back in her seat, crossing one leg over the other with effortless grace. The high slit of her satin gown, which started boldly at her upper thigh, fell open with the movement that revealed the smooth length of her right leg in full The soft glow of the car’s interior lighting kissed her skin, drawing attention to the pearl–studded heels that completed the picture of her practiced elegance.

Marco paused at the open door, his eyes flickering down for a second too long. His throat bobbed with another gulp he didn’t notice–how could he, when the woman before him looked every inch the woman he once ignored?

“Whatever you say, princess,” he muttered, masking the tension in his voice with a smirk, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

He stepped out of the car and shut the door behind him with a dull thud.

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Chapter 104: Lion’s Den

+25 BONUS

And so the drive went on in silence. The atmosphere inside the car was thick and stifling, word.

as neither of them uttered a single

When they finally arrived at the grand hotel, the convoy of black cars came to smooth halt. Doors swung open in perfect choreography and Bartholomew immediately stepped out first with his usual arrogance. His guards flanked him instantly, and they entered the building without looking back.

Then, Marco followed, stepping out of his side and walked around to Grace’s to open the door for her. The cold air of early evening greeted him, but it wasn’t the chill that stopped him in his tracks, It was her. She had already opened the door but she was sat still in her seat. She knew Marco was meant to escort her inside, but the idea of touching him, of pretending for even a second that they were aligned, turned her stomach.

Her eyes flicked to the front seat.

“You,” she called out sharply pointing at the young man seated on the driver’s seat.

The driver flinched as if her words struck skin.

“Escort me,” she demanded without raising her tone.

“M–Miss… I–I’m sorry. I wouldn’t dare,” the man stammered out of fear knowing that Marco properly instructed everyone their roles. He looked between Grace and Marco as though caught in the middle of two predators.

Grace exhaled in disappointment, her lips twitching with contempt. Of course her father’s men would not cross Marco.

With that, she stepped out of the car herself. The moment she did, the high slit of her white satin dress parted with fluid ease, revealing the long length of her right leg to the cold evening air–and to Marco’s lingering gaze. Her pearl–studded heels clicked against the pavement with every step. The wind toyed with the hem of her dress and the white fur that hung from her shoulders, but Grace didn’t flinch. If anything, she looked like she’d been carved out of frost and fire.

Marco moved toward her and offered his arm, before giving a soft warning whisper. “Your dress is revealing too much.”

Grace turned her head slowly, and when her eyes met his, she gave him a disdained look

“Oh? I didn’t realize you’d suddenly taken such an interest in modesty,” she said dryly. “But don’t worry. I picked this dress with my fiancé in mind. He might prefer I look like a proper trophy… or at least something not disgusting.”

Her lips curled into a sarcastic smile, but her eyes didn’t soften.

Marco stared at her, unsure if it was her words or the way she wielded them like a blade that cut deeper.

“Careful,” he said under his breath. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

”

Grace leaned closer, just enough that only he could hear her. Her perfume was soft and icy, like winter roses.

“I’d play that game,” Grace murmured with her voice honeyed in venom, “as long as it’s not with you.”

Without waiting for his reply, she linked her arm with his–because she had to, not because she wanted to. And with her chin held high, she allowed him to escort her into the lion’s den.

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