Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 136

Zachary continuously picked out choice pieces of food and placed them in Audrina's bowl, playing the part of the doting partner. Tamara's expression, however, was violently sour; she barely managed to keep her hostility in check, and only because Quentin quietly nudged her beneath the table.

Waldo insisted that Audrina stay the night at the estate to keep him company.

Audrina absentmindedly humored the conversation at the table while secretly typing out a text message.

[Why did you have to provoke Zachary right in front of Waldo?]

The reply came immediately: [Are you worried about the old man, or are you worried about Zachary?]

The jealousy practically dripped from the screen.

Audrina decided not to take the bait: [Are you home yet? I'm staying at the estate tonight, so I won't be coming back.]

After hitting send, she aimlessly poked at the food in her bowl, completely lost in her thoughts.

Waldo had been keeping a close eye on her all evening and quickly noticed her lack of appetite.

"What's wrong, Audrina?" he asked warmly. "Did your tastes change? I had the kitchen make all of these just for you."

"It's nothing like that. I've just been swamped at work lately, I'm a little worn out."

"Work is important, but you have to take care of yourself," Waldo said gently. "Look at you, you've lost weight again."

He paused for a beat before smoothly transitioning, "I heard there was a bit of a misunderstanding in the news recently? Everest Law Group stepped in to clear it up?"

So the gossip had reached the estate after all.

Though the worst of the storm had been intercepted, enough of a drizzle had managed to reach the old man's ears.

Audrina set her chopsticks down, but before she could explain, Zachary cut in smoothly.

"Yes, Grandpa," Zachary said, playing the responsible hero. "I reached out to Sebastian and asked him to put out a statement for us. Honestly, it was my fault for being careless. Audrina was driving Willow Sinclair's car, and because I didn't make sure she had a vehicle of her own, the media tried to spin a ridiculous story out of it."

Audrina didn't even bother acknowledging his two-faced performance. She simply lowered her eyes and checked her phone again. No reply.

Suddenly, she realized the phrasing of her last text—*I won't be coming back*—sounded suspiciously like she was dutifully reporting her whereabouts to a live-in boyfriend.

She wanted to unsend it, but the time limit had already passed.

Just then, the sound of the door clicking shut echoed behind her.

She turned around. Zachary was leaning against the heavy wooden door. He had already loosened his tie and was slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt.

"You're taking the master bedroom tonight. I'll sleep in the guest room," Audrina said coldly, refusing to look at him.

Just breathing the same air as him made her chest feel tight.

Zachary didn't move out of the way. Instead, he pushed off the door and stared down at her. "Audrina, sleeping in separate rooms? Under this roof? Did you forget the promise you made me?"

"I am not doing this tonight," she said, turning her head away.

His hand shot out, grabbing her by the waist and yanking her forcefully against his chest.

"Let go of me," she ordered, her voice dropping to an icy chill.

But Zachary didn't let go. Instead, he forced his head down toward hers.