You Had Me, You Lost Me, You'll Never Find Me novel Chapter 103

As he spoke, his left hand casually enveloped Sylvia's, entirely brazen.

The viewing sofas were designed with low backs to allow cameras a clear shot of the stars' upper bodies. This meant Ashton's possessive display was on full view for anyone nearby to see.

She tried to yank her hand away as if she'd been burned, but Ashton locked his grip tight.

A chill washed over Sylvia. Furious but too terrified to make a scene, she hissed under her breath, "Ashton, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Ashton's brow twitched. He offered a dangerously ambiguous smile, leaning in close to whisper against her ear.

"There are cameras everywhere. Are you sure you want to throw a tantrum right now? I can't guarantee what kind of juicy gossip might accidentally leak to the press."

It was a blatant threat.

Having just survived a brutal internet hate campaign, Sylvia absolutely could not afford another scandal. She forced herself to swallow her anger.

Ashton brazenly captured her left hand, lifting her palm and sliding his fingers slowly through hers until they were flawlessly, intimately intertwined.

The diamond ring on her ring finger caught the dim light.

Sylvia shoved down the boiling rage in her chest, forcing herself to stare straight ahead.

Suddenly, Ashton spoke again. "Why aren't you wearing the bracelet? Hmm?"

His deep voice dripped with malicious intent.

"Lost it," Sylvia replied woodenly.

"That's fine, I'll buy you another next time." Ashton sounded impossibly patient.

Sylvia wanted to grab the nearest heavy object and smash it into his face. He was doing this entirely on purpose, savoring his cruelty.

She had already publicly announced her engagement, yet here he was, aggressively flirting with her in front of an audience.

But with Ashton sitting right there, no one dared to show even a flicker of surprise. Or rather, no one had the courage to.

The award ceremony on stage was nearing its end. As expected, Sylvia did not win Best Supporting Actress.

Perhaps it was because Sylvia had looked visibly miserable the entire night, someone chimed in with a joke.

Ashton stared at her for a long moment before letting out a soft laugh. "Sure, go ahead."

He lazily released his grip. Surprisingly accommodating.

-

Sylvia breathed a massive sigh of relief. She hurried away from him, ducked into the restroom, and didn't bother returning to her seat. Instead, she immediately texted Penelope Caldwell to pick her up.

There was a discreet side exit at the back of the venue. The moment she confirmed her location with Penelope, she saw the familiar company van pull up. "I see you," she said, ending the call.

Sylvia pulled the door open and climbed inside. The moment she settled into the seat, a deeply familiar voice issued a command. "To The Oyster Club."

Her entire body froze. She turned to meet a pair of pitch-black eyes in the shadows next to her, suddenly finding it impossible to breathe.

"Why is it you again?"

He was like a ghost she couldn't shake.