Standing beneath the big screen at the crossroads, I saw the welcome party Lucian held for Astrid.
It was comparable to a century wedding.
The sound of a car horn echoed and a black sedan stopped in front of me.
The window rolled down and a man's sharp profile, as if carved from stone, came into view.
He wore sunglasses and the silver cane beside him glinted coldly in the light.
"Mr. Thorne?"
The driver spoke up first, "Miss Aldridge, please get in the car."
The confined space made me hold my breath, afraid to make a sound and disturb him.
We drove in silence and it wasn't until the car stopped that I realized he had brought me to the Prescott Family's evening banquet.
I instinctively tried to pull away, but Quillon held my wrist firmly. "Miss Aldridge, I wouldn't want someone who can't let go of their past."
His deep voice lingered in my ear, almost overpowering, making it hard for me to resist.
"Lyra, what are you doing here?" I heard Lucian's voice behind me.
Turning around, I saw him and Astrid standing there.
The expression on Lucian’s face, once neutral, immediately darkened upon seeing me.
He fixed his gaze on the hand Quillon had firmly grasped.