Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 3

The people in the room stood up, and Zachary was the first to walk over. "Sebastian, you're the man of the hour today. What took you so long? You'll have to drink a few extra glasses later."

The man strode into the room and sat right in the center of the sofa. He sat in the unlit shadows, half his face obscured. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on his high nose bridge, making him look refined and elegant.-

"Got held up with some things." He tapped a cigarette out of his case.

Someone quickly leaned over to light it for him.

He took a drag and exhaled a thin plume of smoke. Through the haze, he raised his eyes. "Zachary, aren't you going to introduce us?"

At this point, Zachary had to swallow his plan of sending Audrina away. Though clearly frustrated, he had no choice but to turn to Audrina and say, "Today is his birthday. Since you're here, go toast him."

Audrina looked over. On the sofa, the man sat with his long legs crossed. One hand casually held a cigarette, while the other elbow rested on the armrest, his fingers propping up his temple. The corners of his lips were turned up in a faint smile, and he was staring right at her.

Audrina recognized him instantly. The heir of the Hawthorne Group, Sebastian Hawthorne. Rumor had it he was Zachary's childhood friend. But before this, she had only seen that face on the covers of financial magazines.

The Hawthorne Group built its empire on transoceanic shipping in the last century. Today, their reach spanned across countless industries, even partnering in defense. In the power-centric city of Kingshire, there was no shortage of wealthy, aristocratic families. But only the Hawthornes sat indisputably at the absolute peak of the pyramid.

However, this particular heir was notoriously unorthodox. He hadn't taken over the family business. Instead, he was currently Kingshire's most expensive lawyer and one of the founding partners of Everest Law Group.

Zachary said, "Sebastian, this is my fiancée, Audrina Monroe."

Someone poured a drink for the man, and Sebastian tipped his glass toward her in acknowledgment.

Audrina walked over to the table and poured herself half a glass of whiskey.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Hawthorne."

She tilted her head back and downed it in one go.

Sebastian slowly sat up straighter, raising his own glass. "Thanks."

Seeing that Audrina was still standing, he lifted his gaze and jutted his chin toward his right side.

Audrina turned her head to look at her. Her gaze drifted from Vera's face to the hand still resting on Zachary's forearm, then glided back.

Vera's curved smile was hiding a soft, velvety blade.

"Prepare what?" Audrina returned the smile. "I didn't tell anyone I was coming back today. I just wanted to give you all a surprise, right? Isn't that so, Mr. Hawthorne?"

She tilted her head slightly toward Sebastian.

Zachary's expression darkened even further. He lifted his eyelids to glare at Audrina. "What does Sebastian have to do with this? Did he invite you today? You just barged in."

Hearing this, Sebastian lightly flexed his fingers. A suppressed smile tugged at his lips, catching Audrina's attention in a corner where no one else was looking.

He stubbed out his cigarette. "That's not entirely true, Zachary. Actually, I extended an invitation to Ms. Monroe a long time ago."

As his words landed, the entire room stiffened, everyone holding their breath.