Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin) novel Chapter 281

Just then, Austin abruptly stood up. With a heavy thud, Tahlia hit the floor, but he only looked down at her with cold disgust.

"Get lost!" he snapped, his voice sharp as ice.

Had she been a man, Austin might have already thrown a punch. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He could barely restrain the urge to strike.

Tahlia, now on the floor and clutching her elbow, looked up at him with teary eyes.

"Mr. Hall, that hurt. Can you help me?" she asked.

Tahlia refused to believe this was happening. No man had ever rejected her advances before. She had always been confident in her charm.

Biting her lip, she gazed up at Austin. Her fingers delicately tugged at his pant leg as she played the part of a fragile beauty to perfection.

Tahlia wasn't about to give up. Slowly, she traced her fingertips up the fabric of his trousers, her intentions crystal clear.

Austin's gaze darkened, his eyes cold as a storm. In a swift motion, he grabbed her wrist.

For a fleeting second, Tahlia thought he had given in. Excitement surged in her chest as she pressed closer to him.

But then he tightened his grip on Tahlia's wrist. A sickening pop echoed through the room.

Tahlia shrieked, her face turning ghostly pale as cold sweat dripped down her forehead.

Austin shoved her away and pulled out a wet wipe from the table. He wiped each finger, cleaning any trace of contact as if scrubbing away something filthy.

His voice was laced with scorn as he glared at her. "Is this how the Dawson family negotiates deals? By selling off their daughters?"

His words drained color from Tahlia's face completely, and a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes. She could see the sheer loathing in his gaze and the deadly intent simmering beneath it.

Austin wasn't buying it. If anything, he looked ready to erase the Dawson family for even daring to try.

Tahlia wondered how this could be happening.

She parted her lips, desperate to salvage the situation. But before she could utter a word, Austin turned and strode out of the room without a second glance.

Outside the private room, Zane lounged while glancing at his watch with a smirk. For years, there hadn't been a single man Tahlia couldn't seduce.

Austin might act indifferent, but Zane was sure it was just a matter of time before he came crawling back. He was eager to acknowledge Zane as his future father-in-law.