Chapter 159: Possessiveness

Chapter 159: Possessiveness

The Montague Manor

The banquet continued in full swing.

Tonight's guests had all been invited as families—political and business elites who regularly socialized with the Montague family.

Claire had been following Sarah around all evening, making formal introductions family by family.

First names, then professions, then which schools the children attended, followed by obligatory compliments all around.

Claire felt like she'd heard enough flattery tonight to last a lifetime.

Most of the conversations were handled by Sarah. Claire just maintained a pleasant expression and chimed in when appropriate, but it was still exhausting.

Her face felt frozen from smiling.

She'd posted her response to Rowan during a bathroom break and hadn't had time to check the aftermath yet.

Cordelia had filled her in on the basics, so she had a general idea.

She'd also overheard some hushed discussions among the guests, but no one brought it up publicly. That would ruin the atmosphere—everyone here knew better.

Finally, she'd met just about everyone she needed to meet. Claire let out a breath.

"Claire, let's toast." Cordelia appeared at her side out of nowhere, handing her a glass of champagne.

Claire raised her glass and took a sip.

"Cheers." Cordelia clinked her flute lightly against Claire's. "That hypocrite Rowan finally got what was coming to her. Time to celebrate."

Claire glanced at Cordelia's gleeful expression, her red lips curving slightly.

"How's it going online?"

"Rowan's getting dragged through the mud. Everyone's demanding she leave the 'Beyond the Shadows' production. She deserves it."

Getting dragged?

Claire raised an eyebrow slightly.

This was only the beginning. The worst was yet to come.

"You dealt with Rowan, but what about Daphne?" Cordelia leaned lazily against the edge of a long table. "Didn't you say she was the one who egged Rowan on? You're just letting her off the hook?"

Claire said coolly, "Those videos and photos were all sent to Rowan by Daphne. If you were Rowan, what would you do?"

Cordelia immediately replied, "I'd absolutely expose Daphne. She's got even more followers than Rowan does. Dropping that scandal would bury Rowan's own mess."

"You're half right." Claire said. "Rowan doesn't have solid proof. She can't expose Daphne directly. She can only use leverage."

"I get it now." Cordelia's eyes widened as she turned to stare at Claire. "So dealing with that witch Daphne won't even require you to lift a finger."

Cordelia gave Claire a thumbs up. "Brilliant."

"What are you two talking about?" Vincent suddenly appeared beside them.

Cordelia blinked her big eyes and looked Vincent up and down, then smiled sweetly. "Vincent, what took you so long? You look so handsome tonight—like a groom."

Faced with Cordelia's teasing, Vincent glanced almost imperceptibly at Claire, his lips curving slightly, but he said nothing.

Claire shot Cordelia a warning look, telling her to watch her mouth.

Cordelia winked at Claire, then turned to Vincent with a mischievous grin. "Vincent, Claire just said she missed you."

"Shut up. I said no such thing."

Cordelia had no filter, especially after drinking. Claire wanted to clamp a hand over her mouth.

"You didn't say it out loud, but you said it in your heart. When all those women were hanging all over Vincent earlier, your eyes could have killed someone." Having said her piece, Cordelia waved and quickly left.

Claire felt both helpless and embarrassed.

Looking up, she found Vincent watching her with evident amusement.

"She's making things up," Claire said, lacking conviction.

If she was tonight's main attraction, Vincent was definitely the second.

Vincent hated public appearances. At events like this he was forced to attend, he usually made a brief appearance then disappeared.

But tonight, he'd stayed the entire time and seemed unusually sociable. Girls who admired him had swarmed around him like moths to a flame.

It had made her deeply uncomfortable. She'd wanted to march over and pull Vincent away.

That's when she'd realized—she'd already started thinking of Vincent as hers.

Vincent watched Claire's evasive gaze, his lips curving into a pleased smile. He stepped closer and said in a low voice, "Baby, if you don't like it, I won't talk to them anymore."

"I—" Claire instinctively started to deny it, but stopped after one word. She looked up, her gaze tangling with Vincent's warm one. "You promise?"

Vincent's eyes immediately narrowed, his lips spreading into a delighted smile.

"What are you smiling about?"

Vincent teased, "Baby, you're so possessive. I love it."

Claire rolled her eyes elegantly.

"Baby, are you tired? Want to get out of here?" Vincent suddenly asked gently.

"Leave? Is that okay?" Claire genuinely wanted to leave.

"Of course." Vincent reached out and took her wrist. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."

"Where?"

"You'll see when we get there."

"Should I tell Mom?"

"She already knows."

Claire glanced toward Sarah in the distance. Sarah seemed to understand, smiling and nodding at her.

Claire felt no guilt about leaving now. She followed Vincent out of the ballroom.

By the time she'd changed clothes and came out, Vincent had already changed into motorcycle gear.

Avoiding the ballroom, Vincent led her all the way to the garage, stopping beside a heavy-duty motorcycle.

Vincent took a helmet from the bike and placed it on Claire's head.

Claire tilted her face up slightly. Vincent looked down, his gaze tender and focused, his movements gentle, as if afraid of hurting her.

His gentle, attentive expression seemed to add a filter to his already handsome face.

Even more attractive, Claire thought, slightly dazed.

"Taking you to see the stars from the mountaintop."

She'd thought it was just a ride, but they were actually going to the mountaintop?

Claire felt a surge of anticipation.

Vincent swung his long leg over the bike and settled into position, then reached out to Claire.

"Get on."

Claire placed her hand in Vincent's large palm. With a gentle pull from him, she settled securely onto the bike.

Vincent didn't release her hand. Instead, he guided it around to his front, placing it on his waist.

"Hold tight."

Vincent's waist muscles felt powerful. The moment her palm touched them, Claire flinched slightly.

Too intimate. Claire felt a bit uncomfortable.

Vincent turned slightly, found her other hand, brought it around his side, and placed it on his abdomen.

"Baby, hold tight. I'm starting."

Claire immediately tightened both hands, hugging Vincent's lean waist firmly.

Vincent's lips curved slightly as he started the engine.

This was Claire's first time on a motorcycle. Night wind rushed past her ears, bringing refreshing coolness.

Vincent's athletic physique felt solid beneath her arms. The wind seemed to carry his scent straight into her heart. She felt slightly intoxicated, her cheek coming to rest gently against Vincent's firm back.

Her arms unconsciously tightened further.

The mountain road wound upward. The wind grew cooler, but Claire grew more exhilarated.

"Vincent, faster." She wanted more of this thrill.

Vincent actually accelerated.

Claire held Vincent tightly. The whole world seemed to narrow to just the wind in her ears and the man in her arms.