Chapter 48: Connor’s Public Appearance and the Truth about Keh Westfield–2


    “Doesn’t matter, with a man like that, no makeup would help anyway. We couldn’t


    handle him,” a third replied, her voice tinged with awe.


    Within moments, Connor reached me. My colleagues held their breath as he


    addressed me in his low, gentle but deeply maic voice.


    “Ethan Quinn organized a gathering. Reba and Lily are there. I came to pick <i>you </i>


    up.”


    The women around me froze in stunned silence.


    I smiled and turned to my ck–jawed colleagues. “This is my fiancé.”


    Their eyes went wide with shock. Until now, the office gossip had painted my “protector” as some greasy old man with too much money and too little ss. But standing before them was a nearly 6’5” man, breathtakingly handsome and elegant,


    his power and status evident in every aspect of his bearing.


    “You’re… you’re engaged to him?” Marcus stammered, unable to hide his


    astonishment.


    <i>“</i>Congrattions!” Jade eximed, her eyes shining with genuine happiness. “You


    make such a beautiful couple!”


    The others quickly joined in, showering us withpliments and blessings. I could


    see the moment their envy transformed into genuine admiration.


    Connor ced his hand gently on the small of my back, guiding me toward his car.


    “Ready to go?”


    I nodded, enjoying the stunned expressions we left in our wake.


    Inside the private room at the restaurant, I recounted my day to Connor, including the


    false rumors that had circted at the firm.


    “You know why they were so surprised just now?” I said softly, my amber eyes warm with amusement. “Because someone once saw me getting out of your car, then started a rumor that I was kept by an ugly old man.”


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    Connor’s expression turned icy, his gaze sharp as a de. “Rumors?” he asked coldly,


    ice–blue eyes shing with controlled anger.


    “Mhm,” I responded calmly, reaching to touch his hand in reassurance. “But I’ve handled it. No need to worry.”


    Ethan Quinn, lounging nearby with a ss of moonlight wine, suddenly interjected


    with a theatrical gasp.


    “What? Someone dared to spread such filth about you? Little sister, why didn’t you tell


    us?”


    Connor shot him a disdainful nce. “Why would she need to tell you?”


    Lily Chen, sitting across from Ethan, pinched his arm hard enough to make him yelp. “Olivia is Connor’s fiancée. They’re almost engaged. Why are you meddling? Looking


    for attention?”


    “Ouch, dear ancestor, stop pinching!” Ethan cried dramatically, rubbing his arm. “I’m


    just upset someone bullied our girl. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”


    Ignoring their banter, Connor turned toward me, his eyes full of remorse and


    tenderness.


    “Livvy, you’ve been harassed during business meetings, ndered at work… I truly feel


    like I’ve failed you as a fiancé, not protecting you well enough.” His tone was low and


    gentle, tinged with guilt.


    I shook my head with a faint smile. “That’s not fair, Con. You can’t follow me around


    twenty–four seven.”


    “Little sister, you’re his precious treasure,” Ethan chimed in, his tone half–joking,


    half–serious. “He can’t stand you being mistreated. You know, back then, he once


    nearly beat a man to death for <i>your </i>sake…”


    “Quinn!” Connor’s cold voice cut him off sharply.


    The room fell silent as everyone sensed his displeasure, Ethan awkwardly cleared his throat and changed the subject.


    “Anyway, as long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.”


    But my curiosity was already piqued. I leaned forward, amber eyes bright with


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    Chapter 48: Connor’s Publ…


    interest.


    “Who did he nearly beat to death back then?”