Chapter 70: Don't Be Afraid, I'm Here

Isabella

"Do you know Mr. Thomas?" Sawyer asked, sounding surprised.

"No," I said quietly, shaking my head quickly. My hands twisted together unconsciously. "Mr. Sawyer, I don't know him. Let's go." My voice couldn't hide the anxiety.

Sawyer completely misunderstood my reaction. He leaned closer with an encouraging smile, "Miss Monroe, Mr. Thomas's father is one of the main sponsors of this event. Many designers here actually work for Thomas enterprises."

I nodded mechanically, barely listening. My mind was only focused on how to escape.

Sawyer chuckled and asked, "Mr. Thomas, are you here for work, or to hunt for women?"

Joshua's gaze lingered on me in a way that gave me goosebumps. "Hunting," he answered without hiding anything.

"I see," Sawyer laughed politely, "We should be going. Excuse us."

He gently took my arm and led me to a quiet corner. Only then did I realize I'd been holding my breath.

In the relative safety of the corner, I tried to calm my racing heart. My clothes stuck to my back, uncomfortable from cold sweat. I took several deep breaths, trying hard to control my trembling hands.

That day at Thomas's party... memories came uninvited—the humiliation, fear, helplessness. It had almost broken me. Even now, months later, just seeing him was enough to send me back to that dark abyss.

"Are you okay?" Sawyer asked with concern.

"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "It's just a bit hot in here."

As the event was about to begin, Sawyer led me to our table. I glanced at the place card in front of me: "Isabella, Emerging Social Media Design Influencer." I almost laughed out loud. True, my designs had gained some attention online, but "influencer" seemed a bit exaggerated.

Then my eyes fell on the name card next to mine: "Ethan, CEO, Horizon Innovations Group."

Since the elevator incident when he kissed me without permission, I had been avoiding him. The thought of sitting just inches away from him all evening made me dizzy. Suddenly, a commotion at the entrance caught my attention.

Ethan entered surrounded by reporters and industry people. Even from across the room, his commanding presence was impossible to ignore. I quickly lowered my gaze, avoiding looking at him.

Soon after, he pulled out the chair next to mine. Sawyer immediately stood up to greet him. "Mr. Black."

Ethan just nodded, responding with a brief "Mm" before sitting down.

The music started, and the event began. I picked up my water glass, taking a small sip to ease my dry throat. With Ethan beside me, I felt heat rising up my neck. I deliberately drank slowly, using this simple action to steady myself.

"Are you planning to never speak to me again for the rest of your life?"

His deep voice carried a hint of resignation, catching me off guard. I nearly choked.

The rest of our lives? How could we possibly have such a long association.

I carefully set down my glass, still feeling angry that he had first humiliated me, then forcibly kissed me.

I remained silent, refusing to acknowledge him.

"Well, if it isn't Ethan," came a smooth voice from behind us. "Never expected to see you at such a small event."

Joshua approached Ethan, looking pleased. I immediately tensed up, gripping the edge of the table tightly.

Ethan's face darkened slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected to encounter Joshua here either.

"You weren't very sporting last time," Joshua continued, his voice lowered but still audible to me. "That 'gift' your sister introduced to me—you kept her all to yourself. Is that how gentlemen behave?"

My entire body instantly stiffened. I clenched my fists under the table, keeping my head down to avoid his gaze. At that moment, I just wanted to disappear completely.

"Since we've run into each other," Joshua went on, "why not have a little party at my place tonight? Bring Isabella—I'll invite some friends, and we can all... relax together."

Panic began to rise within me, my breathing becoming shallow and rapid.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Ethan replied, his voice surprisingly calm as he leaned back in his chair.

My heart nearly stopped. I looked at him in disbelief, tears welling in my eyes. Was this his revenge for my ignoring him? Throwing me to the wolves?

Joshua didn't need to be told twice. He practically bounded to my side, one hand on the table, the other on the back of my chair. He leaned in so close I could feel his breath.

"Isabella, darling," he said softly, "will you come to my party tonight? I promise I won't be as... forceful as last time. We'll keep things gentle, just how you like it. What do you say?"

I clutched my hands tightly in my lap, biting my lip to keep it from trembling. Unconsciously, despite my anger toward Ethan, I found myself leaning closer to him.

Joshua's eyes traveled hungrily over me. "Don't worry," he coaxed. "Your Ethan will be there too. We can follow whatever... arrangements you normally have. How does that sound?"

In Joshua's twisted reality, this kind of proposition was perfectly normal. I felt sick.

As he moved closer, I shifted further away, nearly falling off my chair.

"Isabella," he continued, lowering his voice, "if you agree, I'll give you a penthouse in the Upper East Side. All yours."

I pressed myself as close to Ethan as possible without actually touching him. Joshua's cologne was suffocating, making me nauseous. Confusion filled my mind. Was Ethan really just going to sit there and do nothing? Even Sawyer, a virtual stranger, would try to protect me. Did Ethan truly not care about my distress at all?

Unable to bear it any longer, I turned to him. Since the forced kiss incident, this was the first time I looked directly into his eyes and called his name.

"Ethan," I whispered shakily, "I don't want to go."

His expression softened instantly. Perhaps it was because he finally heard me speak, or perhaps he recognized the genuine fear in my voice.

Without warning, he slipped his arm around my shoulders, drawing me against his chest. His solid presence was unexpectedly reassuring, his subtle masculine scent freeing me from the dizzying cologne. I buried my face against him, momentarily forgetting we were in a room full of people.

Ethan tightened his hold, then casually turned his head toward Joshua. "No need to wait until tonight. After the event, meet me in the parking garage. I'll take you somewhere special."

I froze in shock. My hand pushed against his chest, desperately trying to create distance between us. But Ethan caught my wrist and gently but firmly placed it on his thigh, preventing me from leaving.

Joshua's eyes lit up. "Perfect! I'll be waiting, don't keep me waiting too long."

Ethan offered a slight smile, though his eyes remained cold.

"Don't stand me up this time," Joshua added with a grin. After one last hungry look at me, he reluctantly turned and left.

My mind went blank, tears threatening to spill. I had no idea if Ethan meant what he'd said. This man who had once promised never to hurt me again had already broken that promise by forcibly kissing me. His words clearly held no value.

I tried to pull away, but he held me firmly, his lips close to my ear as he whispered, "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

I didn't understand what he meant. Where exactly was he planning to be? Here protecting me now? Or later at Joshua's depraved party, watching me suffer?

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice breaking, eyes filling with tears.