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The atmosphere was tense.
Han gave Shawn an inscrutable look. “The Whites and the Howards are near and dear to
one another. Ms. White is a sister to me.”
Shawn smiled profoundly. “You would know best whether she’s a sister or something more.
I only hope you can treat her as a sister for the rest of your life.”
He clearly lost interest after having spoken his piece and shot Leah a warning glance. “You
shouldn’t forget my words to you today, Ms. White.”
With that, Shawn left.
Leah stood frozen, her expression grim.
“Didn’t I warn you to stay away from him?” Han’s expression was pinched into an angry
frown.
“It’s not what you think. I’m not the slightest bit familiar with him. I have no idea why he’s
pestering me,” Leah explained as she shook her head.
Han’s expression grew stern as he heard her explanation. “He enjoys toying with women.
You’re no match for him.”
Leah knew that he had misunderstood the situation.
He likely assumed that Shawn was interested in her.
She could tell however that the man stared at her with not a semblance of passion in his
eyes. There was only a predatory look in them.
She hung her head and sighed. “I understand.”
Han felt a burst of frustration well up inside him when he noticed how she made no move
to defend herself.
Her silence makes her no different from that woman.
He couldn’t understand. Why won’t you just speak your mind? Why do you keep sulking
and keeping everything to yourself?
Han’s tone grew harsh as he thought about it. “Do as you please.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWith that, he left.
Leah was unsure of what she was to do as she watched him walk away.
Ian had finally returned after half an hour. He approached Leah with a grin. “Let’s go.”
“Everything’s been settled?”
“Yup. I chatted with Mr. Lamere for a bit. Did you wait long?”
Although the reception was held in the foyer, Jackson remained in the lounge and did not
come out to entertain his guests. Only those who were close to him were invited in.
Jackson had invited Ian but did not extend the same courtesy to Leah.
Despite the Whites announcing that Leah and Sasha were both Whites, there was only one
Ms. White.
Jackson’s actions were to show that he did not acknowledge Leah’s identity.
“No. The plum wine is pretty good. It’s a pity you didn’t get to have any. I’m not losing out
on anything.” Leah shyly lowered her head and smiled.
Seeing Leah’s smile warmed Ian’s heart as his heartbeat grew uncontrollable.
She’s surprisingly innocent.
“What’s wrong?” She asked when she took note of his silence.
“It’s nothing.” Ian smiled tenderly. “Let’s go.”
The duo got to their feet and walked out.
“Bang!”
The sudden sound of shattering glass could be heard.
It was followed by a rush of footsteps that was accompanied by shrieks, as they watched
people run out in a panic.
“Run!”
“Call for help!”
Ian frowned and grabbed a man beside him to ask, “What’s going on?”
The man was panting, his countenance rife with anxiety. “It’s the lounge. The lounge is on
fire. The fire spread to the foyer. We had only just noticed it! You guys should make a run
for it too!”
“How could that be? I just left the lounge!” Ian looked back in disbelief.
“I don’t know. Maybe the fire had just started. Mr. Lamere, his daughter, and his son-in-law
are trapped inside. We should hurry and call for help!” The man said and left in a hurry.
Mr. Lamere’s son-in-law? Han Howard?
Leah’s brows instantly furrowed.
Han was also trapped inside?
She turned her head sharply and stared in the direction of the lounge, where thick smoke
billowed from within.
The fire continued to rage.
Her heart skipped a beat.
“Why did the lounge suddenly catch on fire?” Ian frowned as he led Leah out. “I’ll escort
you.”
The two exited the hall and went to the field outside. That was when the fire brigade
arrived on the scene. They quickly cordoned the area and rushed in to put out the fire.
“Ah, what’s going on? Everything was going fine. Why did the lounge suddenly catch fire?”
“Yeah. Eden’s Court is known to take every precautionary measure. This shouldn’t
happen.”
Leah felt a chill run down her spine as she listened to their whispers.
There was only one person on her mind: Shawn Ford!
Just a short while ago, he warned her to keep out of the mess. The look on his face was
vivid in her mind. It was obvious he knew about the fire!
Shawn… could’ve planned this.
His goal is to get Han killed.
Her face was outrageously pale.
“What’s wrong? You don’t look well.” Ian noticed the woman’s trembling and took a closer
look at her only to be taken aback by her pallid countenance.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThat was when he came to a realization. He smiled bitterly. “You don’t have to worry about
him…them. It’ll be alright. It’s just a small blaze. Everything will be fine.”
Leah did not listen to a single word of comfort that Ian offered.
Her eyes remained fixed on the entrance, praying in her heart… Please be safe, Han.
As time passed, Leah’s heart sank.
“Look! Someone’s coming out!” Someone in the crowd exclaimed.
Leah looked up and watched as several firemen stumbled out whilst hauling two
individuals with them. They were blackened by the thick smog, immediately collapsing on
the ground as they exited.
Leah’s eyes narrowed, and she hurried forward, fighting her way through the crowd to
take a look.
Her heart sank.
The two that the firemen had saved were Jackson and Molly. Both were unconscious.
Where is Han?
Why is Han not among them?
“Move! We have to get them to a hospital!” One of the firemen shoved Leah aside.
That was what snapped her back to reality. Seeing these people heading out, she got
desperate and held back the one who had pushed her. “You’re leaving? Isn’t there still
another person inside?”
“What are you talking about? We only found these two. They’ve been rescued. It’s a
conflagration in there. Even if someone was still inside, it’s unlikely that they survived.”
The fireman frowned.
The look on Leah’s face fell as she staggered, held up only by Ian, who supported her.
“Ian, is Han in there?”
“He was still in the lounge when I left.”
Leah did not avert her eyes from the inferno inside. She clenched her hands and took a
deep breath.
“Han hasn’t come out. I have to save him.”
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