Chapter 219
Chapter 219:
“I’m really glad you think so, Kristine,” Ryan said, a sincere smile spreading across his face — brighter than any he had shown all day.
Watching the exchange, Helen felt a sharp sting of jealousy twist in her chest. Her eyes drifted to the coffee Kristine was still holding, already half finished, and that sight finally eased her tension.
“Up next, please welcome Helen to the stage,” the host announced.
Helen rose to her feet. “Looks like it’s my turn p>
W𝗲𝗲kl𝘆 𝗿е𝘭e𝗮s𝖾𝗌 o𝘯 ѕ.𝖼𝗈𝗆
With a light grin, Vance urged her on. “You’ve got this. Go do your best p>
Helen gave a small nod and instinctively glanced toward Ryan, hoping to catch even a hint of encouragement. Instead, his attention never left Kristine, and he offered no response at all. A trace of disappointment crossed her face before she turned and made her way toward the stage.
Once Helen was out of sight, Ryan seized the moment and leaned toward Kristine. “I heard you know how to restore antiques. Is that true p>
“It is,” Kristine answered with a nod, even as an unexpected warmth spread through her chest.
Curiosity brightened Ryan’s expression. “Would you let me watch you work sometime? I’ve always wanted to see how restoration is done. Kristine, give me a chance, okay p>
Vance watched the exchange, his brows drawing together. Ryan, who usually kept a cool distance from both him and Helen, was suddenly acting disarmingly gentle. Was he really that calculating beneath his polished exterior? His instincts told him Ryan’s feelings for Kristine went far beyond simple curiosity.
Vance cleared his throat and cut in calmly. “There are plenty of antique restoration videos online. You could always start there p>
Ryan lifted his head and met Vance’s eyes, catching the subtle warning in his gaze.
Kristine registered none of the tension between the two men. A surge of heat was rolling through her body like molten fire, rushing upward and burning her cheeks.
Someone had drugged her.
The realization struck hard. She pushed herself up unsteadily and said, “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom p>
Her drained complexion immediately caught both Ryan’s and Vance’s attention.
“Kristine, is something wrong? Let me come with you,” Ryan said as he rose — only for Vance to step in front of him.
“I’ll take her,” Vance said firmly.
“I’m going instead,” Ryan shot back.
Already heading out, Kristine never heard their exchange behind her. All she could think about was finding something cold — anything that might ease the burning inside her.
As though her desperate wish had been answered, an icy hand appeared without warning and clamped tightly over her mouth.
Cool fingers brushed against Kristine’s overheated skin, dulling the sting and clearing her thoughts for a split second.
“Let go of me.” She tried to speak, but only a frail, trembling sound escaped her lips.
The deep voice reached her ears at once. She recognized it immediately. It belonged to Colton.
Before she could react, he tugged her into the nearest office.