Chapter 269
Chapter 269:
A man with silver hair and a surprisingly youthful face glared at her from the doorway. Kristine startled and instinctively stepped back. A moment later, she understood this had to be Nathan. Forcing herself to hold her ground, she met his piercing, predatory gaze. “Mr. Cole p>
“Leave,” he snarled, his voice clipped and cold.
Only then did Kristine recognize the raspy tone from earlier. “Please, Mr. Cole, I truly p>
“Look out,” a voice cut in from behind.
Before she could react, a strong arm yanked her backward. She spun around and found herself pressed against a broad, warm chest. Looking up in shock, she recognized Asher.
For a moment she simply stared, frozen in place. Then she caught sight of Nathan behind them, already mid-swing with a kettle brimming with water, aimed straight at Asher’s back.
𝘕𝖾𝗐 𝘄𝗲𝖾𝗄𝘭y 𝘤𝗁аp𝘵e𝗿𝘀 𝗼n
There was a sharp splash. In an instant, the impeccably dressed Asher was drenched from shoulders to waist.
It took Kristine a second to process what had just happened. Nathan hadn’t hesitated. He had meant to drench her, but Asher had stepped in and taken the full brunt instead.
A surge of anger shot through her. She might have put up with Nathan’s bad temper if it were directed only at her — but seeing Asher get hurt was another matter entirely.
“Mr. Cole, you owe my friend an apology. Now,” she demanded, her voice unyielding.
For a split second, genuine surprise crossed Nathan’s face. Plenty of people had come to his door over the past three years, desperate for his help. Not a single one had ever dared speak to him the way Kristine just had.
He moved to slam the door in their faces. Kristine thrust out her hand and blocked it before it could close, fury burning in her eyes. “I said — apologize p>
That was the last straw for Nathan. “You’re the one who showed up here begging for my help p>
“That’s irrelevant. You splashed water on an innocent person. Own up to it.” She held her ground, gripping his collar. “Say you’re sorry p>
Nathan’s eyes flicked past her to Asher. But Asher didn’t look remotely bothered. In fact, a faint, almost playful smile tugged at his lips, as if getting drenched were no big deal at all.
Nathan glanced from Asher’s serene expression to Kristine’s burning stare, completely at a loss. One was soaked and utterly unfazed. The other hadn’t been touched, yet was seething with righteous fury.
An old, reflexive unease made Nathan want to recoil.
“Kristine, let him go,” Asher interjected gently. “He’s right — we’re the ones asking for his help, so we should show some respect p>
Kristine bristled, not ready to let it go. “But p>
Asher cut her off, his tone turning soft and reassuring, warm as early spring sunlight. “It’s fine p>
That gentle reassurance quietly chased away the last of the cold lingering in Kristine’s chest.
After several tense moments, Kristine finally let go of Nathan’s collar.
Nathan wasted no time. He slammed the door so hard the sound echoed down the walkway.
Kristine glared at it, frustration simmering, then turned to Asher. “Wait here. I’ve got a towel in my car. Let me help you dry off p>
“That won’t be necessary. Tripp will get me one p>