CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: HIS KISS

Henry Preston’s kiss was heating up as it spread down to my chest. Hearing my words, he halted.

He looked up at me, his lips unnaturally red.

Just as we were locked in a complex stare, footsteps sounded outside, accompanied by Azure Vaughn’s voice, "Where’s Henry Preston?"

"No idea, he disappeared after running here!" someone replied.

Azure was evidently flustered, Wendy Hawthorne had drugged Henry for her sake, but she hadn’t expected he’d manage to leave.

Knowing my room was in this row, she must be frantic inside, right?

"Search every room!" Azure commanded.

Is she insane? Couldn’t seduce Henry, so now she must catch him with another woman?

I truly didn’t expect her to be so self-destructive.

If she really does this, I’ll be in big trouble.

I quickly dialed Crystal Dawson’s number, "Crystal, where are you? Hurry and bring Silas Lockwood over to the rescue!"

I quickly explained the situation, Crystal sobered up instantly, saying, "Okay, I’ll get Silas Lockwood and the others over right away. Make sure Henry doesn’t lose his mind!"

I glanced at Henry; he was facing away from me, his wet shirt sticking to his broad back, likely questioning life right now.

"Alright, you guys hurry." I felt a bit calmer, just as I hung up, there was a knock on the door.

Azure’s voice came from outside, "Miss Hathaway, it’s me. Could you open the door?"

I turned to the door and flatly refused, "I’m not available, don’t disturb my rest."

Azure paused, then said, "There’s been a thief tonight, stole one of my jewels, so we have to search every room to find them. Miss Hathaway, please open the door!"

This flimsy excuse, even if Henry weren’t here, I wouldn’t buy it.

I ignored Azure, instead returning to the bed to sit, waiting for Crystal Dawson and Silas Lockwood to come and defuse the situation.

Unexpectedly, Azure’s next move refreshed my impression of her, as the sound of a lock being picked came from the door.

If they come in and find Henry here, then spread the word, I’ll be in huge trouble. My parents would be furious, thinking Henry and I were rekindling old flames and engaging in a hidden relationship!

Even having Henry hide in the bathroom wouldn’t help; they’d find him easily.

As my heart grew anxious, Henry was already heading to the small balcony. Beyond it was a railing about two meters wide, with a narrow corridor below.

"You’re going to jump down? It’s at least two or three meters!" I saw Henry climb over the railing and couldn’t help but warn him.

"Do you want me to stay?" Henry’s voice was hoarse, the fire in his eyes unabated.

I immediately shook my head.

Then Henry jumped without hesitation, his figure landing in the narrow corridor below, disappearing quickly and gracefully. He probably wasn’t injured badly.

As soon as he left, I quickly returned to bed and lay down. The door finally opened, and Azure rushed in, scanning the room, clearly looking for Henry’s figure.

"Azure, is this how you treat me after inviting me to the dinner party?" I sat up on the bed, glaring at her coldly.

"Why are you alone?" Azure blurted out.

Outside, several people with phones, ready to take photos, exchanged confused glances when they saw I was alone.

I retorted, "Who do you think I should be with?"

"You—" Azure seemed to realize her slip-up, her face turning both annoyed and frustrated. She deliberately walked around the room, her gaze landing on the small balcony door.

"He was in here with you just now? Your lipstick is smudged." Azure’s keen observation was full of jealousy and discontent, "Did he jump from the balcony?"

I glanced at the crowd at the door, a mocking smile on my face, without answering her question.

Azure couldn’t stand being ignored by me, her expression starting to crack. At that moment, Crystal Dawson’s voice came from outside, "What’s going on here? Why is everyone gathered around like this?"

"Crystal, did you see Henry Preston? This Miss Vaughn is looking for him." I got up from the bed, walked to the door, and asked loudly on purpose.

Crystal glanced at Azure, then signaled Silas Lockwood to answer.

Silas Lockwood, knowing better than to disobey his wife, immediately testified, "Brother Henry is resting in his room. I just came from there."

No one would doubt his words, given how close he is to Henry.

Azure shot Silas a deep look, ultimately saying nothing, and led the group away.

After the room returned to calm, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. If Azure had caught any evidence of me and Henry being together earlier, I’d have a lot of trouble to deal with.

"Impressive, enduring like that and still managed to jump from here?" Silas Lockwood went to the balcony for a look, sincerely admiring Brother Henry.

"He didn’t do anything to you, did he?" Crystal Dawson’s concern was evident.

I recalled when Henry lost control and kissed me, feeling a bit guilty yet still nervous.

Thankfully, he retained a shred of rationality, or it would have been over if something irreparable had happened.