Chapter 4 You're Not In A Position To Cross Me

The man who had come to Vanessa's aid was Alan Fuller. His eyes darkened with a cold glint. Why would Vanessa prefer someone like Connor and distance herself from him? It seemed utterly foolish to him.

Connor staggered to his feet, fury blazing in his eyes. "Who do you think you are, hitting me like that? You'll regret it! Security guards! Come over here!"

Alan's lips curled into a sneer, and he opened his mouth, ready to deliver a cutting remark.

But before he could, Vanessa pulled away from his grasp and positioned herself firmly in front of him.

"Haven't you humiliated yourself enough?" Vanessa's eyes were razor-sharp. "Dragging me around in public like this? People will think you're bullying me. He stepped in to help, and I see no issue with that. Connor, maybe it's time you learned some manners."

"You want me to learn some manners? Vanessa, are you out of your mind?" Connor seethed with rage. "You bastard, stop hiding behind a woman! Do you even know who I am? I'm the heir to the Saunders family, and you're not in a position to cross me!"

Alan's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Are you really so sure about that?"

Connor believed he could show off in front of him just because he was part of the Saunders family? That was absurd!

Alan's gaze darkened slightly as he glanced at Vanessa.

If she weren't here, this fool would have been dealing with far worse consequences by now.

For some unknown reason, a chill crawled up Connor's spine, but he stubbornly shouted, "Fight me one-on-one! Let's settle this!"

Alan scoffed coldly, stepping forward to move past Vanessa.

But she reacted quickly and grabbed Alan's arm to stop him.

He was just a gigolo. If he pushed Connor too far, retaliation would be inevitable.

Vanessa felt a wave of concern, but the firm muscles beneath his suit reminded her of their past encounter. She knew his strength firsthand...

He stood taller than Connor, and if it came to blows, he'd likely have no trouble pinning Connor to the floor.

A vivid image of Connor's humiliating defeat flashed in Vanessa's mind, snapping her back to reality. She lightly scratched the crook of Alan's elbow, then spoke to Connor. "Enough already. If you keep making a scene, everyone will know you got your ass handed to you for being a jerk. Why not just leave?"

A shadow passed over Connor's face.

With many people attending the auction, he couldn't risk others overhearing their argument.

He gritted his teeth and hissed, "You'll regret this." Then he turned and stormed off.

In the quiet, spacious lounge, only Vanessa and Alan were left.

Vanessa turned to the man standing beside her. "Thanks for standing up for me. Are you here with a client?"

The auction required an invitation, and all the attendees were from high society. It seemed likely that, as a gigolo, he was here on a client's request.

Vanessa cast a quick glance his way. Dressed in an impeccably tailored bespoke suit, he exuded an air of refined elegance and aloofness. If she weren't already aware of who he truly was, she could have easily assumed he was some mysterious heir to a powerful, affluent family.

Suppressing the sudden wave of emotions rising within her, she smiled and asked, "When are you meeting your client? If you're free afterward, how about we have dinner tonight?"

"Client?"

In an instant, Alan's expression darkened with fury. She really thought of him as nothing but a gigolo?

Since the very first day they crossed paths, she hadn't bothered to recall who he truly was, treating him as nothing more than a fleeting amusement.

"You..."

Just as Vanessa was about to reply, Alan closed the distance between them, silencing her with a bold, passionate kiss.