Standing above, looking down at the figure clinging desperately to the bed sheet, Charles's hand gripping the balcony railing had the knuckles turning bone white.
Did she really hate him this much? Hate him enough to risk her severe fear of heights just to get away?
"What are you doing just standing there? Go stop her!" George, unsettled by Charles' terrifying expression, panicked and barked out an order.
The sudden shout only made Ashley more anxious. Her palms gripped the swinging bed sheet tighter, sweat rolling down her forehead.
She glanced up in fear-the man's eyes were still those same intense, unfathomable shadows, as if something savage lurked behind them, waiting for the chance to strike.
Her stomach twisted. She dared a look down and instantly felt the world tilt.
"You're not scared of heights, Ashley. This is nothing for you," she told herself, trying over and over to psych herself up.
But no matter how many times she repeated it, the fear didn't ease. Her legs were shaking even harder.
So much for what those so-called experts said! She cursed mentally, painfully aware that her arms were starting to go numb.
In a brief moment of distraction, she looked up-only to find he was no longer there. Her heart dropped.
She had to go-now!
No time to think, Ashley took a deep breath and started to slide down faster, eyes flicking downward for a better grip.
Just then, a flash of rage-filled eyes appeared around the corner-he was coming fast.
She gasped. That one second of panic made her grip slip. With no time to react, she lost hold completely and fell.
"Aah!"
The crash didn't come. Blinking in shock, Ashley found herself face-to-face with those same angry eyes.
Charles had caught her in his arms, holding her tight. The panic in his eyes faded-but now, it was pure fury.
"What the hell did I do that pushed you into risking your fear of heights just to leave me?"
Frozen in his arms, Ashley stared up, shocked. "Wait... how do you even know I'm scared of heights?"
The moment she said it, his lips thinned. His mood clearly didn't improve. Her heart sank a little, but she pressed on, almost at her wit's end.
"I told you-I don't know you! You've got the wrong person! How many times do I have to say it before you get it?"
"What's so great about that guy, anyway?" Rage flared in his voice-the thought of her pretending not to know him, just to marry someone like Lucas Cooper, made him boil with jealousy.
Family? Education? Looks? What was it that guy had he didn't?
"Don't you get it? It's not about Lucas being better. You just... got the wrong person, okay?!"
But Charles didn't want to hear any of it.
"Stop testing my patience just because I've spoiled you," he said coldly, pulling her tighter into his arms and striding back toward the room.
He didn't trust himself with her any longer. If this dragged on, he might just snap.
"Are you deaf or something?" Ashley thrashed in his arms, trying to break free, pounding her fists against his chest. "I'm not who you think I am!"
He ignored her completely.
Furious and helpless, Ashley yelled, "I don't know you! Can't understand English?"
Charles stayed silent, lips pressed in a firm line.
The bodyguards nearby were already sweating bullets. Anyone else pulling this kind of stunt? Their young master probably would've let them plunge straight into the ocean.
