When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles) novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135

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Troy wore an arrogant smirk as he looked down at Stella, his eyes filled with cold disdain while he watched her fall apart. The harder she cried, the deeper his smirk grew.

The crowd gasped and whispered, the gossip buzzing even louder.

“What’s up with Mr. Hamilton today? He’s usually all smiles with women, but now he’s acting like he woke up on the wrong side of the

bed.”

“I mean, if she’d pissed Mr. Hamilton off, maybe I’d get it, but her family just runs some restaurant chains. How could she even be in the same league as Mr. Hamilton?”

“For real, it’s like Mr. Hamilton has a whole different person today.”

Unbothered by the gossip swirling around him, Troy wiped his hands with a handkerchief and flung it in Stella’s face.

“Miss Sandhurst, you’re only the third woman I’ve ever truly hated,” he said coldly. With that, Troy turned and walked away, his icy expression making the crowd part like the Red Sea.

Swaggering and arrogant, with a rebellious edge, Troy’s height let his gaze cut through the crowd with ease, finally landing in the direction of Charles.

His eyes flashed with something complicated, impossible to pin down.

Charles, Jason, and Finn all caught Troy’s look. Anyone could see it–pure contempt, scorn, and a hint of mockery.

Jason caught the hostile vibe and turned to the others, puzzled. “Is he blatantly provoking us now?”

Charles, swirling his wine glass, spoke in a low voice. “Hasn’t he always been like this?”

Finn straightened up, frowning in confusion. “Troy’s acting weird today. He’s usually a master at winning women over; why’s he suddenly trying to offend one?”

Charles took a slow sip of his wine, then suddenly locked his eyes on Teresa, who was hanging out not far away.

Everyone else was glued to Troy as he stormed out, but Teresa didn’t even spare him a glance; she was too busy hunting for something to eat at the buffet.

The less Teresa seemed to care about Troy, the more Charles felt something was off.

Charles wondered, ‘Is she just putting on an act, or is she totally convinced Troy will step up for her? Is that why she said what she did back in the restroom when I asked if she’d pissed anyone off?‘

Charles’s mind was spinning, but he just told Finn, “Maybe someone else has the answer.”

Finn followed Charles’s gaze to Teresa–and didn’t say a word. Finn and the others had all seen for themselves just how far Troy would go to protect Teresa

But Jason wasn’t having it. “Even if Troy’s trying to protect Teresa, it’s just a phase. A guy like him? He’s only messing around. Sooner or later, she’ll realize she’s not only letting Charles down, but she’s also put her trust in the wrong person.”

Charles and Finn stayed quiet, letting Jason’s words hang in the air.

Charles couldn’t help but wonder. But what if Troy really is standing up for Teresa?‘

Meanwhile, Teresa had loaded up her plate and was handing some food to Wendy when Wendy tsk’d twice and said, “Teresa, did you see that? Guys like Troy are the ones you should steer clear of

Tle’s always papping up in the tabloids acting all charming and sweet to women, but look at what he just did–humiliating a woman in public. If you ever run into someone like hin, don’t just walk away–run for your life.”

Teresa gave a faint smile. Alright. I get it. But even though she was singing, her heart tell heavy.

Troy had no history with that we yei be went after her out of nowhere,

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Chapter 135

Teresa didn’t dare think too much about it; she was afraid Troy’s outburst was all because of her.

The only explanation Teresa could come up with was that there was something about her Troy found valuable.

‘But what exactly does Troy want from me?‘ Teresa wondered, her mind heavy with uncertainty.

Just as Teresa’s thoughts were spiraling, a sharp scream cut through the air from the entrance. “Charles, Yolanda’s gone.”

Naomi’s scream silenced the whispers about Troy in an instant. Charles, Jason, and Finn all bolted toward the exit.

Teresa heard it too. Without thinking, she dropped the food in her hands and took off running.

Wendy, seeing Teresa rush out, hurried after her.

Once they got to the venue’s backyard, everyone split up to look for Yolanda.

Teresa was frantic, so desperate she couldn’t even tell if the wetness on her face was sweat or tears.

She looked everywhere, running and shouting, “Yolanda, where are you? Please, don’t scare me; just say something, okay?”

Teresa rushed past the playground and the pool, but there was no sign of Yolanda anywhere.

Teresa was beside herself with worry, tears and sweat rolling down her cheeks.

Charles arrived at the same spot, and when he saw Teresa, he paused for a moment.

“Did you find Yolanda?” Teresa asked urgently, her eyes fixed on Charles.

Charles looked anxious, too. He shook his head. “No, not yet.”

Teresa’s panic spiked. She choked out, her voice trembling, “Charles, if anything happens to Yolanda, I swear I’ll never let you off the hook.”

Teresa was so distraught that her whole body shook, her legs nearly giving out beneath her.

Charles caught her just in time, steadying her. “Don’t worry. I’ve already sent people to look for her, She’s going to be okay.”

Teresa struggled to break free, but when she couldn’t, she just gave up and stood there, defeated; her tears wouldn’t stop, no matter how hard she tried.

Her eyes darted everywhere, praying to catch a glimpse of Yolanda’s lively little self. But everywhere she looked, Yolanda was nowhere 10 be found.

Just then, from somewhere off to the side, a dog started barking–and mixed in was a sobbing, desperate voice. “Mommy, help me,”

Teresa instantly recognized it; it was Yolanda calling out.

In that moment, a mother’s instinct kicked in, and all her exhaustion disappeared. Without a second thought, she bolted toward the sound

Teresa didn’t know where the burst of energy came from, but she was outpacing Charles without even realizing it.

As she dashed past the flowerbeds by the pool, Teresa finally spotted Yolanda running toward her, a medium–sized dog chasing after her and barking wildly.

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