CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 212: CAUGHT FORCIBLY KISSING BY AZURE VAUGHN

For three generations, my father’s family has been in politics, always upholding the principle of staying cautious and never abusing power for personal gain.

My mother and I have always respected my father’s principles and took pride in him.

"Henry Preston, I understand if you have grievances against my family, but I hope you don’t vent personal emotions through business. Can you?" I asked sincerely.

Henry Preston let out a deep sigh, "How can you expect a scumbag to separate personal and public matters?"

Admitting so frankly that he was a scumbag left me at a loss for words.

Suddenly, Henry stood up and walked over to me, bending down so close that I could clearly see his eyelashes.

I held my breath, a bit startled.

"Although I’m not intentionally targeting your family, I have a way to make Sanctum Biotech change their mind. Do you want my help?" He asked in a low voice.

"Yes, I do need your help." I tried my best to appear calm and composed.

Henry reached out and pinched my chin, forcing me to look up and meet his eyes. He blinked slightly, a hint of curiosity in his gaze, "Your father can’t intervene, but can’t anyone from your grandmother’s side help?"

This question caught me off guard because my mother’s family affairs were a bit complicated, involving some past grievances from the previous generation, so I didn’t want to talk about it.

Unless it was a matter of life and death, my mother wouldn’t bring it up.

"If you just say not to target my family, this matter should be easy to resolve." I didn’t pull away from Henry’s hand, keeping my voice steady.

"The fact that you hold me, your ex-husband, in such high regard makes me a bit happy." Henry laughed, his entire face relaxing, but I didn’t feel at ease.

I let out a small "hmm" and didn’t say much more.

Henry’s gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips, giving me a sense of panic, like a beast eyeing its delicious prey.

Why did I put on lipstick? I must be crazy!

Henry’s thumb lightly brushed my lips, somewhat displeased, "This color is too tacky, it doesn’t suit you."

"..." I didn’t want to say anything.

The next second, Henry’s lips covered mine, with a lingering smoky taste lingering, making me feel like I was smoking a soft cigarette.

I was utterly shocked, my pupils constricted, my previously maintained calm shattered by Henry’s sudden kiss, I pushed him hard, but before I could push him away, Azure Vaughn’s voice came from the doorway.

"What are you two doing?!"

Henry’s actions stopped, he let go of me, his lips brushed with my lipstick.

Azure stood at the door, holding a thermos box, presumably here to deliver a heartfelt dinner. Her face was filled with shock and anger, her eyes glaring at Henry and me.

I immediately stood up, took a tissue to wipe off the lipstick, then tidied my somewhat disheveled hair and straightened out my clothes.

Azure quickly walked up to me, her eyes red, looked at Henry, then at me.

"Azure, it’s not what you think." I began to explain.

"Slap!" A slap landed on my face, even causing a ringing in my ears.

I held my face, unable to believe Azure had actually slapped me.

Henry grabbed Azure’s wrist, throwing her onto the sofa, his expression dark and intimidating, "What do you think you’re doing?!"

Azure hadn’t expected Henry to defend me. Her eyes filled with tears, a mix of grievance and unwillingness, "Henry, I am your girlfriend now. Everyone knows our relationship. How can you do this with her?!"

"It’s nothing to do with her, I forced her." Henry took all the responsibility, speaking to Azure in a voice devoid of any warmth.

Azure was even more incredulous; her lips trembled, her gaze upon me filled with hate and fury.

Henry’s one sentence was more effective than if I had retaliated with two slaps to Azure.

I touched the cheek still vaguely aching, then slapped Henry back!

"Bastard!" I cursed, then grabbed my bag and strode away.

Azure was probably stunned by my actions. She hit me, Henry defended me, yet I, the person being defended, slapped Henry.

She held Henry in such high regard, how could she dare to take action?

"Zoe Hathaway!!" Azure’s crazy scream followed from behind me, but I didn’t stop. Instead, I quickened my pace to the elevator and went downstairs.

When I got home, I curled up on the bed, my mind in turmoil, hardly able to sleep the whole night.