Chapter 483
Kristine lay perfectly still, eyes closed, unmoved by the gesture.
He didn’t take the hint to leave. Instead, he sat down on the edge of the bed beside her.
The party they were supposed to attend had been on the calendar for weeks. After Asher’s surprise visit, Colton had briefly considered canceling, but changed his mind at the last second. The truth was, he had planned the entire evening with Kristine in mind.
The sun went down, and the city lights took over.
With the household manager’s help, Kristine changed into a deep red dress. It fit her perfectly, skimming her curves and her slender waist. She looked so stunning it was almost difficult to look away.
“You’ve lost weight,” Colton said, stepping close. He slid a firm arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss her.
Kristine turned her head sharply to the side, and his lips found nothing but air.
Colton’s expression darkened for a split second before he smoothed it into a gentle smile. “Come on, baby. Time to go.”
Kristine looked at his handsome face — so calm and tender on the surface — and felt her stomach turn.
The car pulled up in front of a high-end bar and came to a stop.
Colton lifted Kristine from the car and carried her inside. The people standing nearby actually gasped.
“Is that really happening? Is Mr. Yates carrying Kristine like a bride?” someone whispered.
“Wait, I thought he was engaged to Elyse! What the hell is going on?”
“I have no clue, but this is wild.”
Colton moved through the murmuring crowd as though he couldn’t hear a word of it and walked straight into the VIP lounge.
At the door, a waiter bowed and pulled it open for them.
The private room was full, and every head turned the moment they stepped inside. Silence fell over the space as the guests stared at Colton, still holding Kristine in his arms — every face in the room wearing the same expression of stunned disbelief.
Colton sat down without releasing her and finally looked up at the room.
“This woman is going to be my wife,” he said, his voice quiet and absolute.
The room went completely still.
After a long beat, one man spoke up, his voice uncertain. “Hello… Kristine.”
A few others followed, their greetings scattered and hesitant.
Colton’s expression turned colder. “Is that the best you can do for my girl?”
The moment they realized he was displeased, the entire room snapped to attention. Everyone exchanged a quick glance — and then, in a single unified voice, they called out, “Welcome, Kristine!”
The sound was loud enough to fill the room and spill out into the bar beyond.
Colton finally looked away, visibly pleased with himself. “Whenever I’m out of town, I want every one of you to make sure Kristine is taken care of,” he ordered.
“Of course!” the room answered at once, all smiles and eager nods — every one of them well-practiced in the art of flattering powerful men.