Sharing Beatrice A Luna To Her Stepbrothers by Alexis Dee Book 3
Chapter 589 – A Hero In This World (Beatrice)
Now, I found myself standing alone at the counter, getting bored with no one to chat with or dance with. Maddox and Ballinda were huddled together, while Zane stood solitary.
“Excuse me,” an elderly gentleman approached, causing me to straighten my back in greeting. I looked around to first be certain he was indeed talking to me. There was no one in my area so he was. My eyes noticed Maddox with Ballinda and it was clear that they came together but there was not much chemistry there. She was barely able to make him speak to her. He kept glancing at his cellphone and texting someone, occasionally looking in the direction of the hall where his parents were having a meeting with the others and Ronnie. Even though Ballnida tried her best to stick closer to Maddox, he would step away and then continue to look at the hall. But my attention was driven back to the man who called for me again.
“You!” he said to get my attention and I took a deep breath and corrected my posture once more to respond to him properly.
“Hello, sir,” I offered a pleasant smile. Perhaps he was a parent of someone at the party. But why was he approaching me so assertively? Maddox wandered off to the dining room to join his family, and the timing of it rubbed me the wrong way.
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“Where did you get this dress?” he asked, hands on h*ips, as everyone slowly turned to us, his guards trailing behind.
“Um, what?” I couldn’t quite grasp what he was after. The dress was from the town’s A-list designer collection.
“It’s a Von-D collection,” I replied with a forced smile, feeling uneasy under his intense gaze.
“You’re quite shameless to wear this dress here,” he bellowed, signaling his guards to seize my arms.
“Hey, don’t t*ouch me!” I screamed as they laid hands on me.
The guards were rough, gripping my arms without explanation.
“Let me go!” I yelled, desperation creeping into my voice, though the music drowned out some of my cries.
The commotion caught the attention of the lone figure left behind: Zane, my foe. His narrowed eyes hinted at his concern as he swiftly made his way over, his tall figure easily spotted from a distance.
His purposeful strides suggested he sensed trouble. But his arrival didn’t guarantee safety; he could make things worse by getting me into more trouble.
“Hey! What’s going on over here?” Zane intervened, stepping in with visible irritation.
“This thief!” the old man accused, pointing a trembling f*inger at me, and I felt shaken.
“No need for pointing f*ingers, and you!” Zane gave a nudge to the man’s shoulders, tapping the guard’s hand firmly. “Release her!” His eyes met the guard’s, who understood and promptly let me go. Freed, I instinctively moved behind Zane.
Zane, about to say something, paused, glancing at me and noticing my grip on his suit. I was too rattled to let go.
“Now tell me, why did you upset my guest?” Zane confronted the man, making him gulp nervously.
Ballinda stood nearby, holding a glass of wine, her smile missing this time.
“This dress she’s wearing was stolen from our store!” the man accused jabbing a f*inger in my direction.
My heart sank, cheeks flushing. I had no idea what he was talking about.
Zane turned to me, and I shook my head, trying to speak but failing to find the words.
“Okay! And you think she stole it?” Zane questioned, watching the man nod.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’ve never stolen anything. This dress was–” I started, but Zane raised a f*inger, silently urging me to stay quiet.
“I know her, and I know she wouldn’t do anything like that,” Zane defended me, without letting me explain.
“But this dress,” the old man persisted.
“Wait, let me show you the proof,” he gestured to his associate, who hurried to produce some papers. “She came to our store, liked the dress, didn’t buy it, then returned to steal it,” he accused, his words pounding in my ears. I couldn’t help but clutch Zane even t*ighter this time. He subtly acknowledged it before turning back to face the accuser.
“This isn’t what happened. I went there with–” I started, but as I spoke, Zane turned around. Unable to hold onto his coat any longer, he discreetly took my hand, leaning in to listen.
His intense gaze was intimidating as he stared at me through his raised eyebrows.
“And then she stole–” the old man tried to interrupt, but Zane lifted a f*inger behind his back, silently signaling him to be quiet.
“She’s speaking,” he told the man, still hunched over me, maintaining eye contact.
“I went there with Ronnie and Maddox-” I began, and as soon as I mentioned his brother’s name, Zane blinked a few times, raising an eyebrow, but then continued to listen.
“Your brother and his girl over there-” I pointed at Ballinda, who quickly averted her gaze as if she wasn’t involved.
“They bullied me, so I ran away. Later, I found a package at my door. Maddox had bought the dress and gifted it to me with an apology note. I still have that note at home,” I spoke out, my heart pounding in my c*hest.
“I understand,” Zane nodded, straightening up.
“She didn’t steal it. My guy–uh, he bought it for her, but I guess he forgot to pay for it,” Zane fabricated, coming to my defense and preserving my dignity.
“But–” the old man attempted to object, but Zane’s stern glare silenced any further protest.
“Co to my man with the blue car. He’ll write you a check,” Zane instructed the man, who nodded without resistance and left.
Once they were gone, Zane turned to me, his expression furrowed in concern.
In that moment, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I broke down, overwhelmed by the humiliation of being treated that way in front of everyone.