Chapter 136
Chapter 136:
With a relaxed smile, Asher replied, “Basement parking, as usual p>
They hadn’t even cleared the banquet hall before their path was blocked. Bobby appeared ahead, flanked by a squad of security guards.
Kristine’s brows knit together in irritation. She had assumed Bobby had left alongside Colton.
“Ms. Green,” Bobby began, his gaze flickering uneasily toward Asher. “Mr. Yates left strict orders to see you safely home. Please come back to Crestwood with me now p>
Asher started to object, but Kristine’s hand landed gently on his shoulder, stopping him. “That’s fine,” she replied smoothly. “But I can’t move comfortably in this dress. Let me change first. Please see that Asher gets home safely p>
Relief washed over Bobby’s face. He wasn’t particularly worried about Kristine, but the thought of Asher causing trouble unsettled him. Realizing what Kristine was doing, Asher said nothing further. Bobby assigned two bodyguards to escort Asher away.
Kristine accompanied Bobby back to the makeup room, where her clothes from that morning still waited. She had made sure to stash casual sportswear in case she needed a quick escape. She changed at a deliberate pace, pausing now and then to listen for any sound beyond the door.
𝗧𝗁e 𝗯е𝘴𝘁 r𝗲𝘷ie𝘸𝘀 𝘰𝘯
The unnatural silence outside left her on edge. What if Asher missed her signal?
Suddenly, a sharp crash echoed from the hallway.
A jolt of panic shot through Kristine as she pulled on her clothes.
The door burst open, and a group of imposing bodyguards filled the frame. The man at the front spotted Kristine and spoke quickly. “Ms. Green, Mr. Edwards sent us. Please come with us p>
Kristine eyed them warily. “And why should I believe you p>
The man, clearly expecting her suspicion, handed over a phone.
She pressed it to her ear. “Hello p>
Asher’s steady voice came through, low and reassuring. “Kristine, those men are mine. You can trust them p>
Relief washed over her. She passed the phone back and nodded. “Let’s go p>
The guards closed ranks around her and moved toward the exit. On the way out, Kristine noticed several of Bobby’s men sprawled unconscious on the floor.
“They’ll recover soon,” one of the guards said. “We have to move quickly. Once Mr. Yates’s main team arrives, getting out will be impossible p>
Kristine gave a faint nod. This was still Colton’s domain, and she hadn’t forgotten it.
They piled into the elevator and descended at speed to the underground parking. Each second stretched out, feeling longer than the last.
At last, the doors slid open and Asher’s familiar figure came into view. The tightness in her chest eased — just slightly.
Then another shadow stepped out from beside a nearby Porsche, and all the color drained from Kristine’s face.
A cold voice cut through the silence.
“Where are you in such a hurry to go, Kristine p>
Facing the man with that ever-present, careless smirk, Kristine bit down on her lip. The person standing there was Devin, Colton’s closest friend.