Chapter 15
guard. By the time he realized what was happening and tried to intervene i
Calusta noved with fielming speed, catching Adrian off guard.
Calista grabbed Tessa’s wrist firmly, and with the latter’s precarious balance on her stilettos, Calista rady dragged her stumbling towards the pool lisjust a few steps, they reached the edge,
“What are you doing? Let go of me “Tessa’s protest was cut short as Calista roughly toned her into the pool, creating a significant splash.
The onlookers were struck tundi, their jaws dropping in astonishment.
af splashed onto her fare
Standing at the pool’s edge, Calista calmly wiped away the water droplets that had
She was careful not to rub too hand–no need to ruin her makeup like Tena whose tear-stained, mascara–streaked face nose looked more comical
you’ve lost your mind? How dare you throw me int
As Tessa was dished out of the pool for the second time, she slickel, Calista, y
Her rumed makeup and contorted expression stripped away any temmits of her earlier fragile beauty, leaving her looking almost ridiculous.
Adrian’s eyes darkened behind his rimless glasses, his outstretched hand–which had failed to catch lessa–slowly retracting. Elistäs setene, smiling Tace,
“What’s the meaning of this?” he demasted, his voice laced with barely contained an
His gaze bore into
“Nothing particular, Calista replied softly, meeting Adrian’s fierce glare with a smile. “If you want me to apologize, I should have actually done something intentional first, just like this?
Tuning in Tessa, she continued, “Ms. Cole, I apologize for caning you to fall into the pool. As for your earlier fabrications about Mr. Halls and me I’ll let them slide. I’m in a quoil mood, so I won’t hold it against you. No need for you to apologize either”
Tessa and the crowd were speechless, It was clear to everyone that Calista’s “good mood” was entirely at Tessa’s expense.
In a corner of the ballroom, Kieran sat with his long legs crossed, leaning back on a sida. He absently swirled a wine glass in one hand, his deep, dark eyes fixed on the commotion by the pool.
His gaze zeroed in on Calista’s elegant, smiling face,
and his ryes narrowed slightly as a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Orin, returning from a phone call from the Elderwood Estate, was startled to see his usually venir boss with a hirit of a smile.
Following Kieran’s line of siglu, be asked in a low voice, “Mr. Hawthorne, isn’t that the new assistant Mr. Leander Hawthorne chose for you?”
“It is,” Kieran confirmed, his smile fading back to his us
is usual impassive expression.
Orin hesitated before continuing. “But didn’t she request urgent leave? So…” He trailed off, glancing back at his boss. He wondered if he had ingined the earlier smile.
Kieran’s eyes were unreadable as he spoke, his voice low. “Don’t you think she’s the one bringing urgency to others?”
– Orin’s eye twitched as he looked back at the pool scene, at a loss for words,
dull party has served its purpose. Time to leave, Kieran said, downing his wine and rising gracefully from the sof
He strode towards the exit. Orin following after one last complicated glance at the pool area.
Their departure, like their arrival, went largely unnoticed, with most attention still focused on the drama unfolding by the pool.
Calista, unaware that she had just made quite an impression on her soon–to–be boss, continued to bask in her satisfaction. She smiled at Tessa saying. Tve apologized, so I’ll be taking my leave now?
As Tewa began to protest, Calista cut her all. “C, and a friendly reminder, Ms. Cole. This is the Wellington Grand Hotel in Zandora, famous for its comprehensive security camera coverage. As the saying goes, “bearing is believing, but seeing is truth? If you still feel wronged, we can always review the foulage
The color dedined from Tessa’s face as the implications sink in. This wasn’t Stonebridge, where the Cole family’s influence might extend to manipulating hotel security funlage.
Adran, observing his s
( his sister’s pallot, immediately grasped the situation.
Ar tied tomment, Connor hurried over, having finished his transatlantic call with his girlfriend Selena-
Sensing the tense atmosphere, he asked, “What’s going on here?” His eyes darted around before settling questioningly on Calusa
“Nothing major” Calista replant will a sude, murning to Te Just maderauding with a lot weared
Tosas fare stated from pale to furion, bost die remained sobdewnly lear
na
for humorit, we
can always there the venunity
