“Who dares to call Nadine shameless? Come forward if you have the guts.”
No one moved.
Not a single person met his gaze.
The weight of his fury pressed down on the entire room like a force of nature, making even Colette’s once-adoring followers shrink into the background.
Raphael scoffed, pulling me closer, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist like I was something precious.
“Whatever it is, it’s up to Nadine. I don’t mind either. Why are you all making such a fuss?”
Colette’s lips trembled, but she did not dare speak. She did the only thing she could—crying.
Her silent tears only fueled the sympathy of her supporters, who rushed to console her.
Raphael ignored them entirely. His attention was solely on me, his voice softer, almost coaxing.
“Come to my room. Let’s get you changed.”
But I shook my head, stepping back.
“No need,” I said, my voice firm. “I’m going home.”
“Okay, let me take you home.”
Raphael still behaved as if nothing had changed. He opened the door for me, helped me with my seatbelt, and drove at a steady pace, as if we were not on the verge of destruction.
But I was not in the mood to be coddled.