THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 280: I’m Sorry, Sweetheart, I will make It Up To You Later.

Chapter 280: I’m Sorry, Sweetheart, I will make It Up To You Later.

From Lauren’s tone Steffan sensed that her mind was made up not to accept his help.

’Well, I have done my part as a gentleman and don’t want to be seen as a nuisance.’

"Do take care of yourself," he uttered In resignation and rolled up his windows before driving off.

As time passed, Lauren’s patience wore thin as no cab passed by. Even the private cars she saw only sped past and did not slow down before she could even flag them down.

She began to feel scared as the night deepened with seemingly no help in sight and regretted turning down Steffan’s kind offer.

By now she would have been in the comforts of her home. She could only blame her pride at this moment.

The toll of the numerous bottles she had been taking gradually began to set in and with it frustration also crept in and she could hardly wait to get home to the comforts of her bed as soon as possible.

She took a look at her wristwatch and saw that she’d been standing there close to an hour.

"It’s like I have no choice but to go back into the club. At least that way, I can be safe and also have a roof over my head."

Just as she made up her mind to move, a small group of men approached her.

From their appearance, one could tell that their intention was not good.

"Hey, beautiful. What are you doing all alone in this place?" One of them asked in a gruffly voice.

She ignored them and moved a few steps away from them.

"Don’t be scared sweetie. We will treat you right," the second man among them said, getting too close for comfort. He reeked of alcohol and another pungent smell that Lauren couldn’t quite place.

"Stay away from me!" She ordered coldly, trying as much as she could to mask the fear from her voice and face.

The three men roared with laughter. "Aren’t you a spicy kind? We love them spicy, right brother?" the first man said, turning to the third man who was yet to say anything since they approached.

He was quietly stroking his long beard, his eyes trained on Lauren’s stubborn but pretty face.

Merely looking at her face alone, caused a hot sensation at his lower region where his other hand was holding.

Seeing the lascivious look in the third man’s gaze, Lauren shrank back, cursing her foolishness for exposing herself to such danger.

Wouldn’t it have been better if she had swallowed her pride earlier. Well all she could do now was pray that someone would come out of the club and render a helping hand.

"A foursome will be mind blowing," the second man chuckled wickedly.

Noticing the potential danger Lauren was in, Steffan, who had not really left but had parked his car a few blocks away then trekked back to watch over Lauren, stepped out, placing himself between Lauren and the approaching figures.

"Is everything okay here?" he asked, his tone firm.

Lauren’s eyes lit up at Steffan’s sudden appearance. She had thought that he had long gone and seeing him showing up at the most crucial moment, she felt warm inside as she realized he cared enough to not abandon her here.

The thugs hesitated, sizing up Steffan before smirking.

"What business of yours is it? Can’t you see we are trying to keep her company?" The first man who appeared to be the spokesman among them snapped.

"She doesn’t need your company. Move along." Steffan ordered in a domineering voice. His eyes were cold, a far cry from the man Lauren had been with in the club.

"Tsk!" The first man snorted. "And who are you that we should obey your orders?"

"The President, obviously," the second man let out a derisive laugh. "Back off if you still love your pretty face. As for this beauty, she is ours for tonight," he declared.

"You have to get through me to get to her then," Steffan snapped, getting ready for some exercise.

After the last duel he had with Shawn, he had not had the opportunity to do a proper exercise, so if these scoundrels want to afford him that opportunity, who was he to say no.

Seeing that Steffan did not appear intimidated by their number and that he was actually ready to take them on, the third man who had been quiet all along spoke up.

"Young man, I’d advise you to mind your business and leave now that you still have the chance."

He was already imagining how Lauren will be squirming under him as he ravaged her sensuous body. It was not every night one came across such beauty.

"And leave her to you?" Steffan spat back. "What kind of boyfriend does that make me then?"

Lauren’s eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Steffan.

’What are you talking about? When did i suddenly become your girlfriend?’ her eyes seemed to be asking. Except...’

She quickly recovered before she would give anything away when she got a sign from Steffan.

"What are you still doing here? You can as well leave me to them? Why did it take you so long to come pick me up?" Lauren scolded angrily, at the same time pouting like a qualified girlfriend.

Steffan frowned and was about to ask what she was talking about when he realized that she was acting along his lie.

He smiled at her, finding her intriguing. What a great actor she was, getting into character effortlessly.

"I’m sorry sweetheart. I will make it up to you later, but you have to permit me to engage in a little fun with these fools. It’s been long I broke some bones."

His disarming smile sent butterflies all over Lauren’s stomach and she found herself falling irredeemably in love with this man. ’What are you doing to me, Steffan?’ she groaned.

"Is he your boyfriend?" The first guy asked.

"If he isn’t, could it possibly be you?" Lauren retorted fearlessly.

With Steffan here, somehow she felt he can handle anything that crops up even if it was three against two. That’s if her little strength could be counted. But she was sure she would give the moral support Steffan needed if a fight eventually broke out.

"Who is coming first or you want to come all at once.? What do you say about a foursome?" Steffan challenged.

With that he cracked his knuckles and the sound was loud enough to send chills into the heart of the three men who were obviously confused by the turn of events.

So he was really her boyfriend whom they realized was not a pushover.

They never imagined such a dignified looking and seemingly harmless man would turn out to be so bold.

From his looks, he looked like someone that shouldn’t be toiled with and from his stance and the little move he had made so far, he didn’t look like a novice in the art of fighting.

With his bulging muscles that could be seen after he flung his coat away leaving only his shirt, they could also see that he could crush their bones easily.

They were merely street thugs lurking around for harmless innocent girls to prey on, they never expected to meet more than their match today.

Reluctantly, the group unanimously dispersed, muttering threats under their breaths.

After they left, Lauren heaved a sigh of relief.

Although she was grateful, she was hesitant, and threw Steffan a stubborn look before following him to his car.

As she boarded the car, sinking into the comfort of the seat, she mumbled a weak, "thank you."

’Well, it’s not too much if I get a little assistance from him after dashing my hopes. It’s the least he could do,’ she muttered under her breath.

"Are you OK? Steffan asked when Lauren made no attempt to strap her seat belt on.

Lauren, feeling uneasy, spoke up, "I appreciate your help earlier, Steffan, but I would have handled it, you know."

"Obviously," Steffan nodded, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Lauren took a look at his bland face and turned away, facing the window.

Steffan, however, found her action cute and chuckled to himself as he started the car.

They drove on in silence, each engrossed in their respective thoughts.

"Where are we going?" Steffan asked, breaking the silence in the car.

It was then Lauren realized she had not given him her house address.

"Federal Hill," she answered nonchalantly.

"Really?" Steffan said in disbelief. "I also live there. How come we’ve never run into each other before?"

Lauren chuckled, "That’s because we were not looking for each other."

Steffan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Perhaps. Federal Hill isn’t that big, though. What part do you live in?"

Lauren described her street, and Steffan’s eyes widened. "No way! I live just a few blocks from there. It’s almost like we’ve been neighbors without knowing it."