Chapter 18 She Wants to Burn the Car
“Come on, beautiful. Stop talking. You’re drunk. Just come with us,” one of the men sneered.
By this point, these guys were thinking with the wrong head and paying no attention to what Elizabeth was saying.
But suddenly, several burly men appeared around them. With one swift move, each grabbed one of the harassers, holding them. firmly in place.
“What the hell-” The guy who’d been holding Elizabeth closest spun around. His anger evaporated instantly when he saw the stern–faced men in black suits. “Look, guys, this is my girlfriend. You can’t just-”
“Yeah, we’re all friends here! What you’re doing is illegal!” another one chimed in.
“I’ve got a buddy at the police station. What are you trying to do? Back off or I’m calling the cops!”
The rest of the group was clearly terrified, knowing full well these security types weren’t to be messed with.
Why were these guys targeting them? Were they trying to steal Elizabeth for themselves?
Chapter 18 She Wants to Burn the Car
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Just then, Elizabeth’s assistant, Edward, rushed out from the bar. He walked straight up to them and slapped each one across the face, his voice ice–cold.
“Are you blind, you idiots? How dare you put your hands on
the CEO of Bennett Group? You have three seconds to get out of here!”
The men stood frozen in shock. The words “Bennett Group” hit them like a thunderbolt.
“Wait–she’s the Bennett Group CEO?”
“We’re so sorry! We had no idea! We would never have–please forgive us!”
In an instant, Elizabeth transformed from what they’d seen as easy prey to a burning–hot potato. They immediately released her and ran off without looking back.
“Ms. Bennett, I’m sorry we’re late. Are you alright?”
Edward stepped forward when he noticed Elizabeth swaying unsteadily without support. He properly extended his arm for her to lean on.
“I’m fine. Tell everyone to leave. Julian won’t be coming tonight,” Elizabeth said.
“Sure, Ms. Bennett. Let’s get you to the car.”
Chapter 18 She Wants to Burn the Car
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With a respectful nod, Edward dismissed the security team with just a glance, then helped Elizabeth to the luxury car waiting nearby.
He opened the door for her, carefully shielding the frame. with his hand as he guided her inside. Only after making sure Elizabeth was comfortably settled in the back seat did he rush to the driver’s position and start the engine..
“Where would you like to go, Ms. Bennett?”
“There’s no rush. I just need a moment to collect myself.”
“Of course.”
Edward’s calm response was followed by complete silence filling the car.
After what felt like forever, Elizabeth finally spoke, her voice heavy with disappointment, “Edward, tell me why Julian didn’t want to pick me up tonight. He used to be so eager to come get
me.”
“Well… perhaps it has something to do with Mr. Harlow?” Edward ventured cautiously, uncomfortable addressing such a personal matter even as her assistant.
“I know Julian cares about that, but I already told him Callum isn’t with me. It’s just me alone. And he still wouldn’t come. He isn’t even worried about other men stealing me away? Does he even love me anymore?”
Chapter 18 She Wants to Burn the Car
Edward’s face flashed with embarrassment at her questions. “I’m sorry, Ms. Bennell. I really wouldn’t know about that.”
After his response, Elizabeth fell silent in the back seat.
4/7
Edward eventually thought she might have fallen asleep. “Excuse me, Ms. Bennell. Would you like me to take you home?”
“No. Take me to the office instead,” Elizabeth finally replied, unwilling to return home.
Ever since Julian had moved out, the house didn’t feel like home anymore, despite Gideon and Callum being there. Something essential was missing.
“Sure.” Edward nodded.
He knew Elizabeth kept a small bedroom at the office, so he didn’t object and drove straight to Bennett Group.
On the way, Elizabeth suddenly remembered something and broke the silence. “Edward, I need you to find out why Julian didn’t come tonight. And where he’s staying now.”
A look of resignation crossed Edward’s face.
He wasn’t a mind reader. How could he possibly know what Julian was thinking? But he could find Julian’s current address.
Still, it struck him as odd that Elizabeth suddenly seemed so concerned about Julian’s whereabouts.
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“No problem, Ms. Bennett,” he replied. “If you really want to see Mr. Thornton tonight, I actually have a way to guarantee he’ll come out to see you.”
“Hmm? What way? Tell me!”
At the mention of seeing Julian, Elizabeth immediately perked up. Her eyes widened as if she’d suddenly sobered up.
“Mr. Thornton is a firefighter. If there’s a fire emergency, he’ll definitely have to respond.”
This simple statement instantly clicked with Elizabeth, and her eyes lit up. “You’re right. Let’s do that then. Call him.”
After giving these instructions, Elizabeth fell into a deep sleep in the backseat. When they reached the Bennett Group, Edward finally woke her. “Ms. Bennett, we’ve arrived.”
“Good. Proceed as planned,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
Edward nodded and got out of the car to dial Julian’s number.
Meanwhile, I was jolted from my dreams by the vibration of my phone.
Opening my eyes, I saw my screen lighting up again.
Being repeatedly disturbed throughout the night had pushed my patience to its limit.
“I should’ve turned this damn thing off!” I grabbed my phone,
Chapter 18 She Wants to Burn the Car instinctively wanting to decline the call.
But then I noticed it wasn’t Elizabeth calling. It was her assistant, Edward.
Why the hell would Edward be calling me?
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My impression of this man was limited to him being Elizabeth’s personal assistant at her company. He was pretty average–looking, the type one would never pick out in a crowd.
But of course, I wouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Even Elizabeth, who rarely complimented anyone, had praised his work ethic more than once.
Back when Elizabeth and I were still married, he was the one who responsibly brought her home when she’d had too much to drink.
After hesitating for a couple of seconds, I hit the answer button. “Edward, what’s up?”
“Mr. Thornton, we’ve got a situation! Ms. Bennett is drunk and refusing to get out of the car. She’s locked herself in and is threatening to set it on fire!”
Edward’s panicked voice came through immediately.
When I heard this, my foggy brain snapped to attention, and I could picture the scene from his words.
Elizabeth was sitting in a car, threatening to burn herself alive?
Chapter 18 She Wants to Burn the Car She was pulling another one of her stunts!
“Mr. Thornton, please come quickly! You’re the only one who can talk her down. Ms. Bennett won’t listen to me at all!” Edward continued.
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“She won’t let me in the car. We’re in the Bennett Group’s underground parking garage. This place is full of vehicles. If a fire breaks out, the consequences would be catastrophic!”
As a firefighter. I knew exactly how serious the situation could get if Elizabeth followed through with her threat.
With no other choice. I quickly replied “Wait for me” before hanging up and scrambling out of bed to throw on some clothes.
“Elizabeth, I must have owed you big time in my past life!” 1 muttered under my breath.
