Chapter 173 He’ll Pay Double Whatever It Costs
In a sudden surge of fear, Victoria Kensington found herself clinging to Alexander Harrington. Almost immediately, she let go, her head bowing in a flush of embarrassment.
Without a word of reproach, Alexander simply declared, "I'll pay double whatever it costs."
Double? Victoria's brow furrowed in confusion, her gaze meeting his in a silent question.
Ignoring her puzzlement, Alexander gently set her down on the couch. His frown deepened at the sight of scattered alcohol bottles, abruptly changing the subject, "Did you drink alone?"
He held a distaste for women drinking excessively in solitude.
"I...I was drinking while icing," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, her head still bowed.
She seemed like a child caught in mischief.
With a sigh of resignation, Alexander opened the medicine box he had brought along. He retrieved a tube of ointment, warming it between his hands. Victoria watched his movements, her knees pulled close to her chest, her voice trembling with apprehension, "What are you doing?"
"What else?" He retorted, his hands firmly grasping her ankles.
"No, you don't have to."
"Stay still," he commanded, his grip unyielding.
As Alexander applied the ointment, Victoria felt the initial cool sensation gradually replaced by a soothing warmth. She lowered her gaze, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, "Thank you."
She could have done it herself, but circumstances had led them here. The close physical proximity between them stirred an undeniable intimacy, making her cheeks flush even more.
"No need for thanks. Tell me, how much money is on that card and where did it come from?" Alexander's tone was stern.
"Two hundred thousand," she confessed quietly, her heart fluttering at his unexpected tenderness.
"Two hundred thousand?" He echoed, disbelief etched on his face.
How desperate was she for money to accept such a sum? A Harrington's yearly allowance was in the millions, and yet she was fretting over a mere two hundred thousand from the Rohan family?
She responded with a faint nod.
"What's the two hundred thousand for?" His curiosity was almost palpable.
"To leave you, to leave this place," she whispered, her voice hollow.
"That little to give up your place at Harrington?" He murmured, perplexed.
"Naomi said she would deposit another two hundred thousand after I left." Her explanation was earnest.
Alexander's expression darkened further. So it wasn't a business transaction with the Rohan Company, but a personal matter with the Rohan family. How could she, a mere ingenue, be involved with the company? It was always about the family. And their current scheme...
His thoughts were interrupted by the memory of the previous night's incident – the man who had nearly harmed her. His brow furrowed in concern.
Unaware of his thoughts, Victoria attempted to clarify, "I returned it, but she left it here again when I was leaving. I only saw it when you brought me back."
She hated his distrust, yet...
It was rare for them to have such a calm conversation.
"Don't you trust me?" she asked, her gaze locked onto his, her question laden with sorrow.
He had been looking at her so intensely, so deeply, that it was starting to make her feel insecure.
"No," he replied. But his refusal held a different weight than she had anticipated.
Victoria felt as though her heart had been seared. She could only bow her head and whisper, "Have it your way."
He might not believe her. But then again, she never held much importance in his heart anyway. Victoria wanted to escape, but he was cradling her ankle, immobilizing her. It was only then that she realized he was on one knee before her. Her heart, unable to help itself, began to sink once more.
In that pose, he seemed...
For a few seconds, Alexander met her gaze, studying her delicate yet stubborn demeanor. He fought the urge to discover just what she might taste like. But he bowed his head instead, reining in the impulse to kiss her. He didn't want to be seen as taking advantage of vulnerability—no false knight that he was.
Victoria found her voice at the right moment, "That's enough."
Alexander, however, massaged her ankle a few more times. It was so slender and soft, as if it had no bones. Realizing his thoughts were straying into inappropriate territory, he withdrew his touch, suddenly stern, "This ointment works great for pain and swelling. A couple more applications and you should be good."
"Thank you," Victoria murmured, her gaze cast downwards, her hand covering the area he had just massaged.
"Victoria Kensington."
"Hmm?" Her name, called suddenly, made her instinctively look up at him.
Alexander Harrington took hold of her ankle with one hand and cradled half her face with the other, suddenly leaning in.
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