They were clearly treating Raelynn as a prize to be served up and consumed.
The Gallagher family wouldn't have overstepped so aggressively if they hadn't received the green light from Cordelia Hudson.
Sebastian opened his eyes again, a terrifying chill in his gaze. "Track Raelynn's location."
As soon as the words left his mouth.
He frowned. "Wait. No."
Sebastian suddenly looked toward where Garrett had disappeared and narrowed his eyes. "Did the rest of the Hudson family attend The East District Land Auction today?"
-
Meanwhile.
Raelynn and Ian had indeed left early.
Even sitting across from him in the spacious car, she could feel the blistering heat radiating off the man, as if he were about to burn everything to the ground.
He tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing continuously.
He couldn't stop himself from turning to look at Raelynn.
His eyes were brimming with raw desire. He reached out, grabbing Raelynn's hand, inching closer to her.
Raelynn felt like she had touched a hot stove and instinctively yanked her hand back.
The sharp movement momentarily cleared both of their minds.
Ian froze. Once he gathered his wits, he pinched the bridge of his nose again. "I'm really not myself right now. Raelynn, please don't blame me. I'm sorry."
He knew his earlier behavior had been completely out of line.
He knew exactly what wild, screaming desires were echoing in his head.
He wanted to kiss Raelynn.
He wanted to throw caution to the wind and take her.
Those dark, hidden urges had looped in his mind over and over, and he was fully aware he was no gentleman at this moment.
Ian slid closer to the car door. "Let's keep our distance for now."
He was terrified he would lose control.
Going into a man's house in this situation implied a tacit agreement to something she wasn't ready for.
She refused to cross that line.
And she refused to give the people who orchestrated this what they wanted.
Ian didn't protest.
He was drenched in sweat. Raelynn opened her door, walked around to his side, and administered the needles with quick, steady precision. She then pulled a small vial of essential oil from her bag—her own special blend for clearing the mind—and applied it. The effects were immediate.
A few moments later.
Ian opened his eyes and pressed his thin lips together. "Do you think my behavior tonight was... despicable?"
Raelynn continued rubbing the oil into his temples.
Hearing a normally stern and upright man like Ian use a word like "despicable" felt strange.
"It's fine. You didn't do it on purpose. It was the drink." Raelynn pulled her hands back and capped the vial.
"What if... I really wanted to take things further with you?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...