Chapter 348
Chapter 348:
Reuben froze briefly, taken aback by Austin’s protective stance. This was unusual—Austin rarely displayed any attachment to anyone.
His cousin, always cold and distant, suddenly seemed invested in this woman. Reuben’s curiosity sharpened.
For years, Reuben had assumed Austin was indifferent to women, but this proved otherwise.
He was clearly into the aloof and unapproachable type. Interesting.
Even so, Reuben couldn’t deny Yelena’s allure. There was something about her—graceful and composed yet sharp enough to hold her own.
Her beauty was striking, her demeanor magnetic. The rejection only fueled his interest, but Reuben knew better than to press further in such a public setting.
Smiling tightly, he adjusted his tone to one of feigned humility. “My apologies. I may have overstepped. Until next time then,” he said with a small bow before walking away.
Austin’s gaze followed Reuben’s retreating figure, his expression hard. “That’s my uncle’s son,” he said finally, turning back to Yelena. “I’m sorry you had to deal with him p>
Yelena shrugged, her tone calm but laced with warning. “It’s fine. But you shouldn’t trust him. Some snakes don’t hiss before they strike p>
Yelena’s instincts were rarely wrong, and her comment carried more weight than she realized. Given the recent “accident” that had nearly taken his life, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots.
Leonel and his family had plenty of reasons to wish him gone.
“I know,” Austin said softly. Then his gaze shifted to her, his expression unexpectedly gentle. “Are you worried about me p>
Yelena blinked, caught off guard by the question. Heat crept into her cheeks under the intensity of his gaze. “What? No!” she said quickly, flustered. “It was just a casual reminder p>
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A faint smile tugged at Austin’s lips, but before he could respond, the sound of a microphone crackling to life drew their attention.
The emcee had stepped onto the stage, signaling the start of the evening’s main program.
The crowd began to shift, gravitating toward the stage.
“Today marks a truly special occasion,” the man declared with enthusiasm, his voice resonating throughout the grand hall. “It is the Barton Group’s 50th anniversary celebration! Let’s give a warm round of applause to our esteemed CEO, Mr. Austin Barton, as he takes the stage!” The hall erupted in applause, the sound echoing like a wave as Austin made his way onto the stage.
His every step was confident, his commanding presence drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
Austin began his speech with a steady voice, his words weaving a powerful narrative of the Barton Group’s journey.
He spoke of its humble beginnings, the challenges it had faced, and the relentless drive that had propelled it to become an industry leader. By the time he finished, the room was buzzing with admiration, the applause a testament to the inspiration he had sparked.
The emcee then returned to the stage, his smile warm and inviting.
“Thank you, Mr. Barton, for that incredible speech. And now, to commemorate this milestone, it’s time to begin the evening with the first dance. Let’s give a round of applause for Mr. Barton and his partner p>
The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd. All eyes instinctively turned to Yelena, their gazes heavy with expectation.
Bella’s heart raced—this was the moment she had been waiting for—the moment her schemes might finally bear fruit.
Yelena’s mind raced.
Could she back out now? The thought was tempting, but it was far too late for second-guessing.
She had completely forgotten about the opening dance, and with every eye in the room fixed on her, retreating was no longer an option.
She might as well face it head-on.
The air was thick with anticipation. The crowd wasn’t just curious—they were expectant, some silently hoping for a spectacle.
Whispers about Yelena’s background had already circulated. As someone from a newly wealthy family, she was an easy target for speculation. Did she even know how to dance?
Monica stood on the sidelines, her polished smile concealing her glee.
Bella’s earlier remarks had planted the idea that Yelena might falter, and Monica was eager to see it happen.
She had deliberately stayed out of the spotlight tonight, relinquishing the opportunity to partner with Austin, confident that Yelena would embarrass herself.
Stepping closer, Monica’s tone was laced with honeyed mockery. “Miss Roberts, you’re the lucky one tonight. We’re all so excited to see your performance with Austin p>