Chapter 493
What he didn’t see was what had already taken place.
In her bedroom, Kristine had finalized her plans with Iris. She would leave for the spa early the following morning, and Iris would send a car. She was careful to keep her expression neutral throughout the day, conscious that Colton might have cameras in the room watching her.
She barely slept.
The next morning, Iris’s car arrived right on schedule. With Sallie’s help, Kristine made her way outside and settled into the back seat.
Then she heard his voice from just behind her — low, composed, and inescapable.
“Kristine. I’m coming with you.”
Kristine’s expression darkened with annoyance. “You’ll be bored at the salon.”
“Not if I’m there with you,” Colton replied smoothly.
She curled her hands into fists and forced herself to stay calm. After a beat, she looked straight ahead and muttered, “Whatever.”
Iris watched the exchange in the rearview mirror but kept her thoughts to herself. Once Colton was in the vehicle, she pulled out of the drive and headed toward the salon.
A cluster of staff had already assembled at the entrance, waiting to receive them. When Colton stepped out carrying Kristine in his arms, a ripple of barely contained reactions moved through the group.
“He’s so handsome,” one worker whispered, watching him pass with wide eyes.
“And Kristine — those photos online don’t do her any justice.”
“She has such a presence. The people online saying she wasn’t good enough for Mr. Yates have no idea what they’re talking about. They look perfect together.”
“I agree. I’ve seen Elyse in person — she’s pretty enough in a simple way, but plain by comparison. Whenever she stands next to him, she looks more like a colleague than someone he’d actually be with.”
Iris led them to a private treatment room and made sure both were comfortable before slipping back into the hallway, where she found her staff clustered in murmuring groups. She gave a pointed cough. “What are you all waiting for? Get in there and start Ms. Green’s treatment.”
They scattered immediately.
Iris watched them go with a look of mild exasperation, then turned her attention to the waiting area, where Colton had settled into a chair with his laptop, completely absorbed in his work.
Even from across the room, simply looking at his profile was enough to make her feel slightly lightheaded. She quietly raised her phone, snapped a photo before he could notice, and sent it to her friends.
The replies came flooding in almost instantly.
“No way — Iris, you’re so lucky! Have you actually won Colton over?”
A cascade of envious messages followed.
“Stop it, all of you,” Iris replied in a voice note, caught between embarrassment and delight. “I’m not dating him. He’s here because he’s spending the day with his girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend? You mean Elyse Lloyd? She’s nothing compared to you — you should go for it!”