Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 48

She raised a hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, quiet and composed.

"What favor?" Sebastian withdrew his gaze.

Zachary didn't elaborate further, walking straight over to Audrina.

"Darling," he said softly, "I have some urgent matters to take care of at the office."

Audrina looked up, the picture of understanding. "Go ahead. I can head back by myself later."

"It's hard to get a cab here." Zachary glanced around. "Let Sebastian take you home. I won't have peace of mind otherwise."

Since Audrina was being so docile, and Waldo had returned, he naturally had to maintain the image of the perfect, caring boyfriend.

Before she could even respond, Sebastian chimed in from the side, "You trust me with her?"

It was an ambiguous, deliberately nonchalant question.

Audrina shifted her eyes away.

At this point, nothing he said would surprise her.

Zachary raised an eyebrow. "Trust you in what way?"

Before the words fully left his mouth, he burst into laughter. "Come on, I know you."

His laughter carried the casual camaraderie between men, rooted in absolute certainty of Sebastian's two decades of monastic discipline when it came to women.

Sebastian had seen every kind of woman imaginable. With the prestige of his family, why would he ever look twice at a fallen heiress like Audrina, who had to rely on others just to survive?

His standards were simply astronomically high; otherwise, he wouldn't have been single for so many years.

Beyond that, Zachary was entirely confident in his understanding of Audrina.

He had people keep tabs on her during her three years in the US.

No matter who pursued her, she always rejected them by loudly declaring herself as "Zachary's fiancée."

She only had eyes and heart for him.

Because of that, he actually felt a bit sorry for Audrina.

At least Vera had once possessed his genuine heart, but ever since Audrina had gotten engaged to him, the Sutton family was her only crutch.

Zachary clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. "Take good care of my girl for me."

"Alright," Sebastian replied without batting an eyelash. "Go deal with your business. I'll drop Ms. Monroe off."

Zachary stepped in front of Audrina again, reaching out to pat her hair. "Text me when you get home."

Sebastian said, "If you aren't afraid of people seeing us struggling in public, keep running."

Audrina glanced at the passing travelers and raised an eyebrow. "Then let go. I won't run."

He released her, smoothly taking the suitcase from her hand, and began walking ahead.

Audrina followed him in silence. Neither spoke a single word until they reached the car.

Walking into the parking lot, she glanced around but didn't see the Horch that had brought them to the pier.

Half a minute later, Layne pulled up right in front of them in a Cullinan.

Audrina followed Sebastian into the back seat.

The instant the door shut, the man rolled up the privacy partition and looked her way.

Audrina pretended not to notice, turning her head to stare out the window.

But she could vividly feel that Sebastian was both irritated and strangely helpless.

Until he finally asked, "Why are you avoiding me?"

Only then did she turn back and meet his gaze.