Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 17

At half-past nine the following morning, Audrina called Claire to let her know she was heading to Everest Law Group and would need a few hours off.

Ending the call, she instructed her driver to take her straight into the heart of Kingshire's CBD.

Audrina stepped out of the car and tilted her head back to take in the towering skyscraper. The glass facade gleamed under the morning sun, stretching up so high she couldn't even count the floors. Even from blocks away, the massive letters reading "Everest Law Group" commanded the skyline.

She pushed through the revolving doors and walked straight to the reception desk.

Two young women in crisp professional attire were huddled together, whispering over a screen. They only glanced up when her heels clicked against the marble floor.

"Good morning. Who are you here to see?"

"Mr. Sebastian Hawthorne," Audrina replied with a flawless smile. "I'm an anchor with Kingshire Financial News."

The receptionist gave her a quick up-and-down assessment before flipping open the appointment ledger. "Do you have an appointment?"

"I do not."

"I apologize, but Mr. Hawthorne doesn't accept walk-ins without an appointment." The receptionist snapped the ledger shut, her expression settling into a perfectly rehearsed, polite dismissal.

Audrina didn't miss a beat. "That's completely fine. I'll just wait in the lounge."

The receptionist opened her mouth, ready to deploy her standard script for escorting out unwanted guests. But the second girl, who hadn't spoken yet, subtly nudged her coworker's elbow.

They exchanged a quick, loaded look.

"Then... make yourself comfortable." The first receptionist gestured toward the plush seating area on the right side of the lobby. "There are sofas over there. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Just water is perfect, thank you."

"Right away."

Audrina took a seat on one of the velvet sofas and pulled out her phone.

The receptionist brought over a glass of water, then hurried back to the desk. The two heads immediately leaned back together, their voices dropping into hushed whispers.

The long-haired girl murmured, "...She's absolutely stunning. Prettier than anyone who's ever come in looking for him."

The short-haired one scoffed. "Pretty doesn't mean a damn thing. How many of these women have we seen? They come in looking like supermodels, sit there waiting all day, and Mr. Hawthorne doesn't even blink in their direction."

Both receptionists froze on the spot, their eyes darting simultaneously toward Audrina sitting in the lounge.

She was sitting on the sofa, scrolling leisurely through her phone. Hearing the sudden shift in the room, she looked up.

Sebastian was standing near the front desk, his scarf draped over his arm. He acted as though he had only just noticed someone sitting in the waiting area, his gaze sweeping over and locking onto her face.

Their eyes met.

Audrina casually slipped her phone into her pocket.

Sebastian stood a few feet away, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. He looked cold, aloof, and utterly untouchable—like a completely different person from the man she had met that night.

"Mr. Hawthorne." She stood up and walked toward him, offering a perfectly professional smile. "Apologies for the intrusion."

Sebastian stepped aside, gesturing toward the private elevators. "Let's talk in my office."

The two receptionists stood completely paralyzed, watching in absolute disbelief as Sebastian personally escorted the woman into his private elevator.