Chapter 22 Exchange Contact Information with York
Elodie's POV
I forced myself to calm down. Fighting them head-on definitely wouldn't work - I had to play along for now.
Swallowing my disgust, I forced a stiff smile onto my face and pretended to go along with it. "Sure, where do you guys want to take me?"
Seeing I wasn't resisting, the guys exchanged glances, all wearing sleazy grins.
One of the thugs immediately put his hand on my shoulder, getting handsy. "That's more like it. We'll make sure you have a real good time."
Just as every muscle in my body tensed up, ready to look for a chance to escape the moment they let their guard down, a blinding set of headlights suddenly shone over, followed by the sharp sound of brakes cutting through the night.
A luxury Rolls-Royce stopped a few meters away. York got out of the driver's seat and closed the door. "Gentlemen, it's quite late. Surrounding a lady like this - not very gentlemanly, is it?"
The thugs were startled by this scene, but seeing York's refined appearance, they found their courage again. "Kid, if you know what's good for you, get lost! Mind your own damn business!"
The smile on York's face didn't change. He walked forward casually and lifted one side of his suit jacket.
Under the dim streetlight, the black handgun at his waist gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.
The thugs' expressions froze instantly, their arrogance vanishing in a second.
"I'll say it again," York's voice remained gentle, "let her go."
"S-sorry, sir! We were blind!" The lead thug's legs went weak with fear. He waved his hands frantically, and along with his equally terrified companions, they all bolted into the night.
With the danger gone, my tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and my legs went so weak I could barely stand.
"Let's go!" York grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the car. "That was a toy gun - just to scare them! We're done for if they figure it out!"
He dragged me along as I stumbled into the passenger seat.
He quickly started the car and hit the gas. The Rolls-Royce smoothly yet swiftly left the scene.
It wasn't until the car merged into the traffic on the main road that my racing heart finally began to settle.
I turned to look at the man beside me, focused on driving. "Sir, today... thank you so much."
"No big deal." He glanced at me with a smile. "Looks like Miss Elodie isn't very safe alone in New York. Where do you live? I'll take you home."
I hesitated a bit, but it really wasn't convenient to be alone late at night, so I gave him the name of a block near my apartment.
The car fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
Just as the car was about to reach the location I'd mentioned, my phone suddenly rang.
I glanced at the caller - it was actually Nelson.
This man was actually calling me on his own.
I steadied my emotions, trying to make my voice sound normal. "Hello?"
"Where are you?"
My heart jumped to my throat, terrified he'd discover I was sitting in another man's car - especially a man connected to the Verma family.
"I... I had something to do. I'm on my way back now, almost there."
I hung up immediately after saying that.
I could even imagine him slightly furrowing his brows on the other end. Thinking of this, I immediately said to York, "Please just drop me off at the intersection ahead, thank you."
York didn't ask questions and stopped the car two blocks from the apartment as I requested.
I unbuckled my seatbelt to get out and tried to take some cash from my wallet to give him, but he pressed my hand down with a smile. "Miss Elodie, no need to be so formal." He looked at me. "Consider it a down payment for my future tour guide's services."
His words made it impossible to refuse. After all, he had saved me twice tonight - I had to repay this favor.
"Then... let me add you on social media," I took out my phone, saying somewhat embarrassedly, "I'll treat you to dinner another day, as thanks."
"My pleasure." York readily agreed.
We exchanged contact information, and I watched as he drove that luxury car away, disappearing into the night.
I gathered my thoughts and walked quickly toward the apartment.
After walking just one block, I immediately spotted the figure standing under a streetlight.
He was tall and upright, wearing a simple black shirt, yet still looked like a king of the night, radiating a powerful aura that warned people to keep away.
The yellow lamplight stretched his shadow long - half in the light, half swallowed by darkness, just like the man himself: mysterious and dangerous.
My heart skipped a beat uncontrollably, and my steps slowed.
Why was he here waiting for me?
I walked over, and before I could speak, his deep voice rang out in the night, carrying a barely noticeable coldness.
"That Rolls-Royce - comfortable ride?"
All the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly. I instinctively looked up at him.
Nelson was looking down at me, those deep blue eyes unfathomable. I couldn't read the emotions in them, but I could feel an invisible pressure bearing down on me.
Damn it, he saw me get out of York's car.
"A friend gave me a ride home," I explained vaguely.
"Friend?" Nelson repeated the word. "Known him for one day, and you're already riding in his limited edition luxury car - that kind of friend?"
My cheeks started burning, half from guilt, half from anger at being interrogated.
Why should I have to explain my private affairs to him?
I raised my head, meeting his scrutinizing gaze, and simply threw caution to the wind. "Mr. Nelson, are you investigating me? Who I make friends with, whose car I ride in - that doesn't really have anything to do with you, does it?"
Everything went dead quiet. I could actually hear my heart hammering in my chest.
I somewhat regretted my impulsiveness. I'd finally managed to improve our relationship - maybe it wouldn't be long before I could find out if he was really Lorenzo.
Nelson looked at me quietly for a few seconds, his gaze seeming to see right through me.
Just when I was about to break, he suddenly stepped forward, his tall figure completely enveloping me.
"Elodie," he spoke slowly, his voice even deeper than before, "do you think all men in New York are as stupid as Alex? Driving a luxury car, wearing expensive watches, actively approaching a poor student - what do you think he's after?"
His words hit the nail on the head, leaving me unable to argue.
Of course I knew York wasn't simple, but I didn't want to show weakness in front of him.
"My own business - I'll handle it myself." I turned my face away, my tone stiff.