Selene and Adrian both turned toward the source of the voice.
Even after Leo had so mercilessly exposed him, Adrian showed no hint of anger. Instead, he leaned in closer, brazenly invading Selene’s personal space.
“Take a careful whiff. Is it blood or wine?” he teased, his breath warm.
Startled by his proximity, Selene instinctively held her breath, trying to steady herself. She inhaled cautiously and caught the unmistakable fragrance of wine.
Earlier, when Adrian had been struck, Selene had been holding a glass of red.
She’d always assumed the scent of wine came from her own glass. But now, all the wine she’d had was currently dripping down Harrison’s face.
Yet, standing this close to Adrian, she could still smell that rich, intoxicating aroma. Her gaze drifted to his lips. The color there was different from the dark, dried shade of blood–it was more vibrant, almost inviting.
He really did have the kind of lips that were made to be kissed.
The thought flashed through her mind unexpectedly, and she instantly scolded herself: Sinful–absolutely sinful!
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the first floor.
“That’s Dr. Vaughn!”
“Oh my god, it really is Dr. Vaughn! I can’t believe I’m seeing the real Dr. Vaughn!”
Guests on the ground floor gasped and clamored in excitement. Although they all knew Leo attended the annual welcome banquet, this genius who seemed almost otherworldly never mingled with the general crowd.
Tonight, it was as if a deity had descended among mortals, and the guests surged forward, eager for even a glimpse of him.
A few suited security guards moved to intercept the crowd, but Leo lifted a hand, signaling them to hold back.
The guards exchanged puzzled looks. Leo was notorious for avoiding the spotlight, and the fact that he’d personally taken the elevator down had already stunned the heavyweights gathered in the conference hall upstairs.
09.05
Chapter 171
Within moments, Leo was surrounded by dozens of guests.
The security tried to maintain order despite the chaos.
Selene’s attention was drawn to the commotion. She saw Leo, seated in his
wheelchair, completely swallowed up by the crowd. In the middle of that chaos, he looked like he could barely breathe..
Without thinking, Selene strode forward, pushing through the guests.
“Excuse me let me through!” she called out.
The guests parted, allowing her a narrow passage.
Leo saw her coming and, for a moment, his usually reserved expression softened as a small smile tugged at his lips.
Selene squeezed through the throng, her dress brushing against Leo’s leg as she made her way behind him. She gripped the handles of his wheelchair and, with practiced ease, steered him out of the crowd, heading straight for the elevator.
“What on earth are you doing down here?” she asked, though there was no real reproach in her tone. She never had a harsh word for Leo.
“If my nephew were a dog, I’d send him off to obedience school for a year’s remedial training,” Leo muttered dryly.
Selene couldn’t help laughing at his jab. In her eyes, Leo was stern and demanding, but she knew how deeply he cared for her.
“Let’s get you out of here,” she said gently.
Without Leo’s permission, the security team dared not intervene. When they saw Selene wheeling Leo away, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Once in the elevator, Selene maneuvered Leo so he was facing the doors. Just as the elevator was about to close, Adrian slipped inside.
He hadn’t even noticed Leo had whisked Selene away until it was too late.
Leo’s brow furrowed, ás if Adrian had trespassed on his territory.
“Mr. Shaw, what’s that cologne you’re wearing? It’s got a strong herbal note,” Leo remarked coolly.
Adrian caught the undertone immediately and replied in a deep, languid drawl, “Dr. Vaughn, I didn’t realize you were a connoisseur of fragrances.”
Leo shook his head, not even glancing at him. “Not at all. I just noticed you reek of
רור
nons
Chapter 171
green tea.”
Selene caught the double meaning and blinked in surprise. She’d always thought Leo was above such things, but apparently, he could recognize a fake when he saw
one.
Her admiration for him grew.
Adrian’s lips curled into a sly grin, his eyes glittering with mischief. “I dabble a bit in scents. A man like you, Dr. Vaughn, would be perfect for ‘White Lily‘–don’t you think?”
His gaze turned mocking. “White lilies look pure and untouched, but appearances can be deceiving. Innocence, weakness, helplessness–it’s all just an act.”
09
