a full foot, trying to put physical distance be

air. "No way! Old man, don't listen to

ree in the morning! My apartment is full of empty bot

st puffing out again. "At least you know y

is fake smile and reached out with a large,

the strictest etiquette tutors to bea

rs could graze her s

all arms wrapped tightly around Byron's thigh, her fingers gripping the expensi

f yellow hair attached to his leg. His hands hovered awkwardly

c of his trousers, completely hiding her dry

g through the room with raw, agonizing terror. "I don't wa

etely concealed, the sheer panic vibrating in her vocal

d a dark, ugly purple. He felt the eyes of the servant

for his eldest son reached a boiling point. The

arked. "You have disgraced

n his jaw popped. Desperate to save face, he f

"I am your biological father. Blood is thicker than water. I

behind Byron's leg. Her

r voice trembling perfectly. "You just want to turn me int

alpel, slicing Alton's fa

lost his mind. "You un

leg. He felt the heat of her small body against his

he protective instinct he had buried under years of alc

irk vanished from his face. His blue eyes turned i

gerously low. "She would rather live with a dege

r off the floor in one smooth motion. He tucked her against his side, his arm w

nounced. He lifted his chin, c

e. "You will regret this! If you take that burden, I will

raised his free hand and flipp

" Byron sneered.

ng gleam flickered in the old man's eyes. He struck h