Chapter 243

Theodore's voice was laced with dark amusement. "Isn't this what you've been craving? Playing the innocent doesn't suit you, Arabella."

Before she could react, he slammed her slender frame against the rough bark of an oak tree, his lips descending toward hers.

"Stop! Don't!"

Arabella squeezed her eyes shut as hot tears of humiliation streaked down her cheeks.

A bloodcurdling scream shattered the tension.

When Arabella dared to open her tear-filled eyes, she saw Ethan Chamberlain being flipped effortlessly over Theodore's shoulder like a ragdoll.

The impact of Ethan's body hitting the ground sent vibrations through the grass.

But Theodore wasn't finished.

He hauled Ethan up by his designer collar and delivered three brutal punches to his face in rapid succession. The sickening crunch of cartilage echoed through the garden.

"Enough! Theodore, stop!"

Terrified he might kill the man, Arabella threw herself against Theodore's back, her arms locking around his torso in a desperate embrace.

"You bastard!" Ethan spat out a mouthful of blood, his face already swelling. "Do you have any idea who my father is? Richard Chamberlain of Chamberlain Holdings! You're dead!"

"Theodore Winslow. Of Fairhaven."

Theodore's voice vibrated with barely contained rage as he shrugged out of his tailored jacket and draped it over Arabella's trembling shoulders.

Seeing her like this - fragile as a wounded sparrow - made something primal snap inside him. Before he could stop himself, he pulled her against his chest.

Arabella melted into the embrace, her heart hammering against her ribs. The scent of his cologne - sandalwood and something distinctly masculine - enveloped her as she pressed her cheek against his starched shirt.

In Theodore's arms, the world righted itself again.

"Listen carefully, you pathetic worm," Theodore growled over Arabella's head. "Arabella Kingsley is untouchable. If you so much as look at her again, not even your father's fortune will save you."

Ethan scrambled backward before turning to flee into the night.

When Arabella emerged from the ladies' room fifteen minutes later, she found Theodore leaning against the hallway wall, his worried gaze tracking her every movement.

"Theodore..."

He blinked, the mask of professional detachment sliding back into place. "Miss Kingsley."

That formal address stung more than she expected. Arabella lowered her lashes to hide the hurt, stepping forward to return his oversized jacket. "Thank you. For everything."

"Miss Kingsley, what happened tonight was assault. I'm obligated to inform Evelyn and let the family decide how to proceed." His jaw clenched at the memory.

"No! Please!" Panic widened her eyes as she grabbed his forearm. "If Evelyn gets involved, it'll become a whole scandal! My parents would worry, and it could affect Monarch Group's merger talks!"

"But that bastard attacked you!" Theodore's voice cracked with fury, his knuckles whitening at his sides.

"You already made him pay." Arabella forced a shaky smile. "Graduation's next month - I'll never see him again. Besides..." She lifted her chin slightly. "I'm a Kingsley. I can handle myself."

Theodore swallowed hard. Just as he opened his mouth to argue, Arabella placed a trembling hand on his sleeve.

"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I have my reasons. Trust me on this."

The unspoken plea in her eyes undid him. With a reluctant nod, Theodore watched her walk away, his fists clenching at his sides with impotent rage. Somewhere in the shadows, a camera shutter clicked silently.