Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 109

The so-called "Family Cane" was an heirloom ruler passed down through generations of the Sutton family.

It was strictly reserved for punishing severe transgressions.

When Audrina first got engaged to Zachary, she vaguely recalled hearing that Waldo had once used that very cane to beat Zachary half to death.

Benson respectfully brought the wooden cane out, but Audrina wasn't intimidated by Tamara in the slightest.

She actually took a step forward. "If you want to punish me, you'll always find an excuse. I can't stop you, and I won't even try."

"Go ahead and hit me. It's best if you beat me half to death! It'll make quite the statement when I drag my bruised, bloody body all the way to Portsmith to see Waldo!"

"You—" Tamara raised the cane high in the air, but after hearing Audrina's threat, she didn't dare bring it down.

The two were locked in a tense standoff when Zachary strode into the living room and snatched the cane right out of his mother's hand.

"Mom, let me talk to her first," Zachary said.

Tamara was shaking with fury, pointing a manicured finger right at Audrina's face. "You little bitch! What is there to talk about?! She threatened your mother today! Tomorrow she'll be walking all over you!"

"Mom—" Zachary gripped her shoulder, shaking his head firmly.

Breathing heavily, Tamara finally collapsed back onto the sofa.

"Audrina. In the study," he demanded.

Leaving the command hanging in the air, Zachary turned on his heel and marched out of the living room with a dark, thunderous expression.

Audrina followed half a step behind him into the study.

The absolute second she closed the door, Zachary lunged, his hand snapping out to wrap around her throat. Before she could even react, he slammed her forcefully against the heavy wooden door with a sickening thud!

The man's eyes were bloodshot with rage. "What the hell is that statement from Everest Law Group?! And you still insist you have nothing to do with Sebastian Hawthorne?!"

Pinned against the door, Audrina choked, her airway restricted.

She threw her hands up, frantically clawing and tearing at Zachary's arm, struggling with all her might. "Let... let go!"

Zachary's chest heaved violently, his fingers tightening around her neck.

Only when he saw that she genuinely couldn't breathe did he violently shove her away.

Audrina slumped to the floor, coughing violently, taking a long moment to catch her breath.

The official statement from Everest Law Group had been posted less than two hours ago. She scrolled down slightly, her eyes landing on the meticulously crafted, legally airtight paragraph:

"Following a thorough verification, we confirm that the vehicle currently driven by Ms. Monroe was loaned to her by a close associate, Ms. Sinclair. The proliferation of these baseless rumors has maliciously damaged Ms. Monroe's reputation. Everest Law Group fully reserves the right to pursue uncompromising legal action against all offending parties."

Two short sentences.

They didn't name the person spreading the rumors, they didn't write a tearful essay defending her character, and they didn't even use her full name, simply referring to her as "Ms. Monroe."

Yet, that strictly professional, ice-cold corporate tone was a million times more effective than any hysterical attempt at clearing her name.

Because it came from Everest.

A top-five global law firm with operations spanning three continents, whose lawyers routinely handled cases starting in the billions.

An institution of that magnitude wouldn't risk its reputation to lie for a minor television host. The mere fact that they issued the statement meant they were throwing their full institutional weight behind her.

Audrina scrolled down to the comments.

"If Everest Law Group is stepping in, then someone was definitely trying to set her up."