Agnes' Awakening: From Zero to His Whole World novel Chapter 355

"...and you see how today played out? Nobody's gonna mess with her now."

"I felt bad for the Brogdon heiress after that engagement disaster, I really did. But seeing this? She's ruthless."

"Mr. Ruell is clearly still hung up on that Ms. Sinclair. Last time, he literally called off his engagement for her."

"Ms. Sinclair's got some serious pull. Forget Mr. Ruell. Mr. Newton scrambled a military helicopter out of Grandridge for her. That's next level!"

"Teach us your ways, Ms. Sinclair!"

"Hey! Shh, shh. The Brogdon heiress is coming. She's right there!"

Vivian heard every word. She shot to her feet, stormed over, and exploded. "Mind your own damn business! You love running your mouths so much? Keep it up and see what happens. I will sue every last one of you. Worry about your own pathetic lives! Trash!"

She glared daggers at them, then spun on her heel and stalked off.

She hadn't managed to take that tramp Agnes down, and now she'd dragged her own reputation through the mud in the process.

She was losing her mind. Why was she surrounded by nothing but useless, incompetent idiots?

The group she'd screamed at stood frozen for a beat, then erupted.

"Wow. The Brogdon heiress has a temper."

"All that poise and grace? Totally fake. Did you see that? Full-on meltdown."

"No wonder Mr. Ruell didn't want her. She's a fraud. The mask just came right off."

Agnes guided Raymond carefully back to his room. Carmen tried to follow, but Frank caught her arm and pulled her aside. "Let them have some time alone."

Carmen didn't like it, but she kept her mouth shut.

The whole way there, Raymond held Agnes's hand in a tight grip, as though she might vanish the second he let go.

"Careful, there's a step here."

Agnes's voice was soft.

"Okay."

It struck her then. Every time something dangerous happened, this man appeared at her side. Every single time. Even though he couldn't see. Even though he'd been refusing to see her for weeks.

She had so much she wanted to say. But when she opened her mouth, all that came out was, "Thank you."

The corner of Raymond's mouth lifted slightly. He said nothing, just tightened his grip around her wrist.

Then he reached into his pocket, drew out the diamond bracelet she'd lost, and gently clasped it back onto her wrist.

Agnes frowned. "How'd I lose that..."

"That's thoughtful of you," Raymond said, his voice flat. "Just leave it."

He hesitated, then his expression tightened. "You don't have to stay and keep me company. Neal's probably waiting for you."

"You're so worried about him, why don't you go ask him yourself?"

Raymond held out for a long time, but the question clawed its way out anyway. "Didn't you two come to the island together?"

"I had no idea he'd be here. Now eat. Your pasta's getting cold."

Raymond said nothing. But that wire-taut tension he'd been carrying quietly released, all at once, without a sound. He took a bite. The seafood pasta was, predictably, better when you were in a good mood.

After he finished eating, Agnes ran him a bath, made up his bed, and slipped out. Raymond didn't say a word about any of it, but he savored every second. He craved this warmth, this familiar closeness. He was greedy for it and he knew it.

Some time later, his door opened again.

"Raymond..."

A woman's voice, sweet and breathy, dripping with affection.

A soft hand slid across his chest. The touch was slow, deliberate, threaded with suggestion.

"Raymond, it's Agnes. After I left, I went back to my room, but I was so scared being alone. I keep thinking someone's going to come after me again. Will you... stay with me tonight?"