Chapter 4

Dinner passed in a very tense atmosphere. Jeff barely touched his food. His eyes kept dissecting Amber with a look filled with disbelief, anger, and regret that he tried to hide behind arrogance.

Suddenly, Dave’s phone vibrated on the table. He glanced at the screen, then stood up.

“I need to take this call from New York. It’s important,” Dave said flatly. He briefly looked at Jeff—a clear warning in his gaze—before walking out to the dining room balcony.

As soon as the glass door closed and Dave moved away, the mood at the table changed instantly. Jeff dropped his fork harshly and leaned toward Amber.

“Impressive acting, Amber,” Jeff hissed mockingly. “How much did Uncle Dave offer you? Are you really that desperate for money that you’re willing to sell yourself to a man who will never even touch you in bed?”

Amber clenched her fists under the table.

“This is none of your business, Jeff. You were the one who called me a poor woman. I’m just doing what I have to do to survive.”

Jeff laughed coldly. He stood up and walked toward Amber’s chair, then bent down until his face was right beside her ear.

“You think you’ll be safe here? Uncle Dave is only using you. He needs a shield because of his divorce scandal with Bella. Once his reputation recovers, he’ll throw you out on the street like trash.”

Jeff’s hand moved boldly, trying to touch Amber’s hair.

“Come back to me, Amber. I may have insulted you, but at least I’m a normal man. I can give you what a gay man like him will never be able to—”

Jeff gently brushed Amber’s cheek, making her immediately slap his hand away.

“Take your hand off her, Jeff.”

The voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an authority that could stop anyone’s heartbeat.

Dave was already standing by the balcony door, his gray eyes flashing dangerously under the crystal lights.

Jeff flinched and quickly pulled his hand back, standing straight with a pale face.

“Uncle, I was just… advising her so she wouldn’t regret it.”

Dave walked closer. Each step of his shoes on the marble floor sounded sharp. He didn’t stop until he stood directly between Jeff and Amber. With a very possessive movement, Dave pulled Amber’s chair slightly away from his nephew and wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulders.

“I didn’t invite you here to behave rudely toward my future wife,” Dave said in a cold, cutting tone.

Dave lowered his gaze to Amber. His hand moved to gently stroke her cheek, as if wiping away the trace of Jeff’s touch.

“Are you alright, darling?” Dave asked softly. His voice had softened, but his gray eyes were still fixed on Jeff with a threatening look.

Amber could only nod slowly. Her tongue felt numb.

“Leave, Jeff,” Dave ordered without looking away. “Dinner is over for you. Don’t step foot in this house again until our wedding day—unless you want me to revoke every privilege you have.”

Jeff wanted to argue, but seeing the dark aura radiating from Dave, he could only snort in frustration, grab his jacket, and storm out.

After the front door slammed shut, silence filled the room again. Dave slowly removed his arm from Amber’s shoulders, but he didn’t step away. Instead, he stood behind her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body.

“Never let him touch you again, even if I’m not there to see it,” Dave whispered near Amber’s ear.

Amber swallowed. “Why? Didn’t you say this is just an act for the public? There’s no one else here, Dave.”

Dave was silent for a moment. Then he turned Amber’s chair so she faced him. He leaned down, locking his gaze with her mysterious gray eyes.

“Maybe I’m a very talented actor, Amber,” Dave said cryptically. “Or maybe… I just don’t like sharing anything that already belongs to me.”