Chapter 50 Intruders

Chapter 50 Intruders
Aellorah

Dinner with Max’s parents was far less nerve-racking than I’d expected it to be. I’d spent most of my life at events like this, and yet, his parents surprised me. They were funny and relaxed; nothing like my own parents.

By the time dinner concluded and the music picked up, I felt far more comfortable in their presence.

“So, are you going to give me some kind of hint as to what this surprise is?” I asked Max as he pulled me out onto the dance floor.

The low, sultry rhythm of the music washed over us as Max spun me in his arms. His towering frame molded perfectly against my petite body, his emerald eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Patience, Princess,” he teased, his deep voice vibrating through my chest as we moved in harmony with the beat. “The less you know, the greater the thrill.” A wicked grin spread across his lips as he leaned over, dipping me low and holding my gaze. “Besides, we’ve already stolen the show tonight; are you sure you can handle another round of applause from the entire board of the university?”

My laugh rang out in the air around us, carefree and delighted, as he pulled me upright, our bodies swaying in sync. The crowd around us parted, cheering and whispering, drawn in by our display of chemistry and confidence. I relished the moment, letting all my worries melt away.

“I think I can handle it,” I replied playfully, eyes shining up at him with trust and adoration. “After all, I am dancing with the self-proclaimed king of Harrow Wood University—and the most charming man I’ve ever met.”

I felt completely at peace in his arms, no family of mine to interfere, his family and friends offering their support. The world was falling into place for the two of us.

All was well—until Max stilled, his hands tightening painfully around my waist as he looked over my shoulder.

“Looks like we’ve got some party crashers on our hands… showtime, Princess.” I turned my head, following his gaze, and froze at the sight of my father and brothers. They were impeccably dressed, standing in the entrance like they owned the ballroom.

“What are they doing here?” I whispered frantically. Max’s calm smile remained, almost as if he’d been expecting something like this to happen.

Without missing a beat, he began to glide toward my family, one hand in his pocket and the other tight around my waist. “Blackwood, your family must really underestimate the scope of our influence,” he murmured against my temple, his tone casual, yet laced with a subtle edge of menace.

I opened my mouth to respond, but no sound came out. I felt like my throat was closing in on itself. “Don’t worry, Princess—I’ve got this under control,” he assured me, weaving through the sea of bodies and toward my family, when all I wanted to do was run the other way.

As we approached, Max extended his hand to my father, his grip firm as they greeted stiffly. “Welcome, Mr. Blackwood,” Max said, his voice polite, yet dripping with disdain. “It’s nice to finally meet the man who’s been holding his daughter back for all these years…”

I winced at Max’s words, panic flaring in my gut as I looked at my father for his reaction.

“Baby, are you ready to give up this rebellious little charade and come home?” he asked me, ignoring Max’s comment as he wiped his hand on his jacket, as if even touching Max was beneath him.

Max’s jaw twitched at my father’s dismissal, a flicker of annoyance crossing his handsome face before he masked it with a smile. “Mr. Blackwood, there seems to be some kind of misunderstanding here,” he said, tone measured despite the obvious tension. “Allow me to enlighten you… Aellorah isn’t just any girl, nor is she yours to worry about. She is my fiancée, and she’ll be carrying my name soon enough.”

A chill ran down my spine as I watched my father’s polite mask slip, his eyes flashing with the icy rage brewing beneath the surface. “You see, Blackwood,” Max continued, his words dripping with malice, “Now that your precious daughter has chosen a new path, it seems you only have two choices—either you accept her decision and extend a hand of family unity, or… well, let’s just say I can get very creative when it comes to dealing with stubborn people who can’t respect another’s choices.”

If I didn’t know the kind of man my father was, I would have been in awe. Max spoke firmly, his demeanor calm, while I was doing everything in my power not to tremble in my father’s presence.

The air grew thick with tension as they stared at one another, Max’s emerald gaze locked onto my father, as if daring him to make a move. I held my breath, awaiting my father’s reaction, even as I saw Max’s friends closing in from the corner of my eye.

“Well, what do we have here?” Max’s mother suddenly interjected, sweeping into the center of our standoff. Her tone was light, but there was an air of protectiveness to her presence as she smiled at my father.

“Sarah, allow me to introduce you to my father, James Blackwood,” I replied stiffly, glaring up at him.

“Go home. Don’t make a scene,” I pleaded in my head.

She glided forward, stepping between our unwanted guests and us. “James, Blackwood,” she repeated, her voice sugary sweet yet laced with a steely undertone, red lips curling into a wide smile. “And these must be your brothers—though, dear me, they look rather like disgruntled thugs, don’t they?”

I choked back a laugh of disbelief as Casey and Jonah’s expressions darkened. “Now, now, gentlemen,” Sarah continued, her voice laced with amusement, “Let’s not create a scene. After all, as our Max will tell you, Harrow Wood has a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and violence. We wouldn’t want you to face any… consequences, would we?”