The Day Our Promise Breaks

landing smack on Evelyn.

He had a cigarette in one hand and his phone in the other. His eyes were locked on Evelyn as he spoke. Evelyn ignored him and began to push herself up from the ground. That was when Charles' expression shifted dramatically. The cigarette slipped from his fingers, "Ouch!" Evelyn flinched, trying to flick it off, only to stumble and fall right back down. Meanwhile, Charles' face darkened as he listened to Dahlia's frantic voice on the line. He replied in a deep, soothing tone, "Don't worry, I'm on my way. I won't let anything happen to you again."

Charles didn't hang up. His voice was a constant comfort to Dahlia. It was like Evelyn wasn't even there he didn't spare her a glance. He just jumped into his car and sped off, headlights disappearing into the night.

"Charles!" Evelyn called out. She was finally on her feet, but the roar of the engine drowned her shout. She stood there, watching the taillights vanish, a chill wind sweeping past.

Evelyn shivered, the rustling leaves echoing around her. She picked up her bag, slipped off her high heels, and with just her socks on, she braved the pain of her twisted ankle and made her way back slowly.

...

Charles drove like the wind, arriving to find the place cleared out. Several bodyguards stood watch outside a room, but Aiden was nowhere in sight. Two men lay at their feet, barely clinging to consciousness.

Charles strode up, and the bodyguards immediately acknowledged him with respect. His gaze was icy as he watched the two on the ground like they were as good as dead. Without a second thought, he pushed open the door to the room.

Inside, the two men who'd been

drunk were now wide awake, fearfully aware of Charles'

intimidating presence. Instinct made them recoil, but a swift kick from the е

bodyguards kept them in line Desperation crept in as they tried to plead their case, almost on the verge of tears. "Mr. Jenkins, she came on to us... we didn't..."

They insisted it was Dahlia who'd flirted and led them on. They were familiar with such scenes and believed she was just begging for attention. Fueled by alcohol and her provocations, they followed her into the room, only for her to accuse them of assault. By then, they were too far gone to stop.

They thought it was all a game, a bit of role-playing for kicks. They didn't expect the bodyguards to show up、 so quickly, leaving them battered and bruised. They wanted to explain, but the bodyguards gave them no chance. The label of aggressors was slapped on them without a chance to protest. noveldrama

Charles paused, his attention shifting back to the two. His voice cut through the tension. "Dahlia seduced you?"