Bye My Stepbrother 23

Her legs inexplicably buckled as a bad feeling crept into her

heart.

As she was about to turn around, the person behind her had

already strode forward.

Roderick was dressed in a black suit, which accentuated his

razor–sharp poise.

He gripped her wrist and squinted, the fury in his eyes so

intense that it almost burned her.

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Then he questioned her through gritted teeth, his tone a

mixture of anger and disbelief, “You’re getting married?”

Andrea’s breath hitched as she instinctively wanted to break

free, but Roderick pulled her even closer to him.

“N–No. It’s not me…”

She forced herself to calm down and explained, “It’s this

gentleman…”

“I’m the one getting married.“”

Quinn’s gentle voice sounded just in time to ease the tension.

He took a step forward and stood between Andrea and

Roderick gracefully yet firmly.

“Sir, you must have misunderstood.”

He continued with an elegant smile, yet his gaze was razor-

sharp, “She was just extending her good wishes toward me and

my fiancee.”

Roderick frowned imperceptibly.

Andrea could feel his blunt gaze piercing through Quinn’s

shoulder and landing right on her.

There was suspicion, anger, and something unfathomable in his

gaze that she failed to grasp.

“Oh, really?” Roderick sneered and finally let go of her wrist.

“Andie, since when were you so interested in others‘

marriages?”

As he released her wrist, faint red marks were already visible.

She subconsciously rubbed it, her heart pounding.

Quinn’s lie came just in time, and she shot him a grateful glance.

“We were just chatting as alumni.” Quinn tilted his body slightly

to block Roderick’s scrutinizing gaze.

Roderick’s expression darkened as he pulled Andrea toward

him.

་།།།་

She couldn’t help but gasp in pain as the sudden movement wrenched her sprained ankle.

“Since you don’t know each other, there isn’t much to talk about.” Roderick’s gaze was chillingly icy.

“Now, let’s welcome Quinn Shillingford–one of our most distinguished alumni–to the stage!”

Suddenly, the host’s voice cut through the chatter in the

banquet hall and shattered the tense standoff between the three of them.

Quinn smiled gently, “Excuse me.“”

Then he walked on stage.

He was Quinn?

Roderick was surprised.

The Shillingford Group had thrived for over a century, holding

a world–renowned reputation.

Andrea looked at Quinn gratefully.

She thought, “I owe him a big one for helping me out.

“Even now, I still vividly remember how ruthless Roderick was

when dealing with Bradley. It terrifies me to think what he’ll do

to me when he finds out I’m getting married.”

“Have you stared at him enough?”

Roderick’s voice was so close to her ear. Startled, she almost

dropped her glass.

Before she realized it, he had already stood behind her. His

warm breath reached her ear, while his voice was chilling to the

bone.

“I…” She parted her lips to explain.

But before she could, he had already placed his hand on her

waist with enough force to bruise.

Then he stepped forward, his towering frame completely

blocking Quinn from her world.

“Does your ankle still hurt?” he suddenly asked in a much

gentler voice, making her wonder if his earlier coldness was just

her illusion.

She was slightly stunned. “A bit…”

Just then, he picked her up.

Immediately, those around them gasped and whispered among

themselves.

“Let me down!” She struggled in embarrassment, her face

burning up.

“Don’t move.” He lowered his head to look at her, the smile

playing on his lips failing to conceal the dangerous glint flashing

across his eyes.

“You’ve sprained your ankle and need rest.”

Just as she was about to protest, she closed her mouth as she

saw that cold glint.