Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 80: You Belong To Me (2)

Adrienne was feeling suffocated inside the banquet hall and had chosen to step out in the meantime. She had asked Hunter to send Uncle Shark off after the latter succeeded in collecting his money from her father. From what she heard, Camilla and Cayden were asked to stay in their rooms by Old Master Jiang, forbidding them from joining the rest of the event.

She sent Hunter a quick message informing him that he would find her in her mother’s garden. There were no guests around when Adrienne removed her high heels, groaning a little as she felt her foot find relief after being freed.

The night was still young and the guests weren’t expected to leave anytime soon. However, Adrienne felt like she had socialized enough for the day and wanted to retire to the comfort of her bed soon. The night breeze blew softly and Adrienne shut her eyes to appreciate its comforting coolness. This was why she didn’t notice someone watching her intently from afar.

This man lurked in the shadows before Adrienne arrived at the garden. He watched intently as the moon bathed Adrienne’s face with light, making her look ethereal and otherworldly.

Adrienne became wary of her surroundings only when that unknown person took a step forward.

"Who’s there?" She asked sharply. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"There’s no need to be so riled up, Adrienne..."

Adrienne felt like she was being struck by lightning right then and there. She instantly regretted leaving Myrtle and Valerie’s company and coming to the garden alone. She could recognize that voice anywhere. Even in her darkest nightmare, she could recognize that deep voice beckoning her name.

The man stepped out of the darkness, revealing himself as Alistair Han. Adrienne’s instincts were screaming at her to move and run, but her body was frozen and she could only look at the man with widened eyes.

"You look exceptionally beautiful today, Adrienne. What a surprise."

’No... no... no...’ Adrienne’s mind continued to chant repeatedly. She should have expected that making such a grand entrance earlier would also attract this demon before her. This person had persistently tortured her in the past in the guise of love. Trapping her, raping her against her will until she completely lost herself. This man was a beast, and she would be damned if she fell in his hands again.

’Wife, do you know? Whenever you try to hide from me, I’ll always find you. No matter if it’s your hair, your scent, your everything... everything of you belongs to me. Don’t you ever forget it.’

"Mr. Han," Adrienne was forced to gather all her courage to face him. "What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the banquet hall?"

It seemed like she could not completely avoid meeting this man in this lifetime. Though unlike before, she wasn’t foolish enough to be his wife. In this lifetime, the one who would become her husband was Lennox Qin, the person she personally chose as her partner. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"I can ask you the same thing, Adrienne, but I knew how much you hated attending such events." The man replied. He walked towards her, shortening the distance between them. He then fell on one knee and picked up her fallen shoe. He gently slid it back on her feet and gazed at her.

Adrienne tried her best not to tremble under his touch, though it was clear she would rather be anywhere else other than here with him. She also hated how he claimed to know her.

"You don’t need to do this, Mr. Han." She pulled her foot away from his hand and looked elsewhere.

"You have changed. You used to profess your love to me when you were younger, but now you’re calling me Mr. Han?"

Adrienne swallowed an invisible lump in her throat and forced a smile.

"I was but a foolish child back then. Forgive me for being presumptuous back then, I should have behaved better."

"So do you mean to say you had a change of heart?" His voice was cool, but Adrienne knew better. Alistair was good at hiding his desire for her. This man disliked being told no by anyone.

"Yes," Adrienne nodded, taking this rare chance to draw a line between them. Since the chance encounter that brought them together had been avoided when she didn’t go to Elysian, there was no way she would fall in love with him again.

"I’ve met someone and he’s very dear to me." She then fiddled at the ring Lennox had given her. The ring alone was enough to calm her down.

Because she wasn’t looking at the man before her, Adrienne didn’t see the flash of cold intent in Alistair’s eyes.

"I see..." He stood up and adjusted the lapel of his coat. "Did he attend the banquet as well? I’m curious to know who stole your affection from me."

Adrienne felt her heart racing. She didn’t dare to lift her head to look at Alistair Han. She had a bad feeling about this. Since when did Alistair develop such an obsession with her? It’s been many months since they’d seen each other and this was the first time she met him again after her rebirth.

"No... he’s not here. It would be pointless for you to seek him."

This was also why Adrienne could not just marry someone else. She needed someone who can topple Alistair Han with regards to looks and resources. Though Lennox was indeed crippled at the moment, Adrienne believed he would heal completely someday and he would be able to keep Alistair at bay.

"A pity then, but this only makes me curious, Adrienne."

Adrienne hated the way he said her name. As if he was branding her as his, reminding her of those traumatic memories Adrienne experienced in her previous life.

Hunter chose to arrive at that moment. A knight in shining armor in Adrienne’s eyes.

"Miss Addie, it’s time to go back..." He said, then eyed Alistair Han suspiciously.