Chapter 4

Dad came rushing over at the commotion.

He saw me sprawled on the floor in such a sorry state, yet all he did was give Raine a half-hearted scolding.

"Raine, that was completely out of line," he chided. "Look at what you've done to her face. How are we supposed to explain this to the Fairmonts? Go back to your room and reflect on what you've done."

Hearing this, Raine glanced at my swollen cheek with a smug smile. She snorted and strode right past me.

Only then did Dad glance at me with a frown.

"Go put some medicine on that," he ordered. "You can't show up at the Fairmonts looking like this."

I staggered to my feet.

"Dad, the Fairmonts have already arrived," I said evenly, feeling strangely calm. "We shouldn't keep them waiting too long."

Dad nodded, immediately disregarding the injuries on my face. He ordered the bodyguards to take my luggage instead.

Since Lucian Fairmont wasn't there in person, I followed his assistant, Alex Larson, to the car.

From the rearview mirror, I watched the mansion where I'd spent more than 20 years of my life grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared from view.

The car sped through the downpour, taking us all the way to the airport.

"Mrs. Fairmont, air traffic control hasn't approved the private jet for takeoff because of the weather," Alex said, his brows furrowing into a tight knot. "We'll have to wait until it clears."

I nodded and curled up on the sofa in the airport lounge.

Not long after, Alex had someone bring me some medicinal cream for the swelling.

I opened the door and glanced outside. He was still waiting there.

"I can apply it to my face myself, but I think my back is badly bruised too," I said after a moment's thought. "Could you please find a female staff member to help me with that?"

…

The storm raged through the night, and it wasn't until dawn that the weather finally began to clear.

Alex knocked on the lounge door.

"Mrs. Fairmont, air traffic control has approved the flight. Please get ready."

I hummed in response, gingerly running my fingers over my swollen cheek.

"Alex," I called out. "It'll be quite inconvenient to apply the medicine on the plane. Could you ask that staff member to come back? My injuries are still a little sore."

Alex didn't suspect a thing.

A while later, the same young female staff member walked into the lounge. Our eyes met, and we exchanged a smile.

Just then, a loud noise erupted outside.

It was Jonathan's voice.

"Stop! Mr. Bale, you can't—"

"Get out of my way! All of you, get lost! Bring Thea out here!"

Jonathan was dressed in a fresh suit, with a group of Bale family bodyguards behind him. He was locked in a tense standoff with Alex and several of the Fairmonts' men.

Tension hung thick in the air.

"Alex, hand Thea over!" Jonathan snarled, grabbing Alex by the collar.

But Alex didn't even flinch.

"Mr. Bale, please show some restraint," he reminded him. "Mrs. Fairmont is resting. If you continue behaving like this, am I to take it as a provocation from the Bale family against the Fairmonts?"

Jonathan looked as though he'd just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world.

"Mrs. Fairmont?" he echoed, his breathing ragged as his chest heaved with anger. "Thea's mine!

"I went to the Sanders family first thing this morning to ask for her hand, and that bastard Keagan told me you'd already taken her away before dawn.

"What the hell is this? Are you trying to force her into a marriage?"

Alex tightened his grip on Jonathan's collar.

"Mr. Bale, you were already given your chance," he said coldly. "You were the one who chose Ms. Raine Sanders at the ball last night."

Jonathan's voice caught in his throat. He had no intention of arguing with Alex any longer and motioned for his men to force their way inside.

"Bullshit! I was deceived!" he roared, his voice hoarse. "Thea's mine, and I'm taking her with me!"

The muffled sounds of a scuffle broke out outside, and the standoff instantly descended into chaos.

No longer caring for appearances, Alex was just about to order his men to intervene when the young staff member suddenly burst through the door.

"Something's wrong!" she shouted. "Mr. Larson, Mrs. Fairmont is gone! The bathroom window is open.

"She escaped!"