Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 51

Crystal

Chapter 51

Hannah’s POV

4

The lights dimmed throughout the ballroom, leaving only the auction stage bathed in bright spotlight. I sat up straighter in my chair beside Edward, trying to ignore the whispers that still followed me like persistent shadows. On stage, Olivia Grant dabbed at the corner of her eye with a silk handkerchief, her voice trembling with practiced emotion.

“These children,‘ she said, gesturing to the slideshow of underprivileged faces behind her, “have so little opportunity for quality education. Every dollar we raise tonight will help them achieve their dreams.”

Thunderous applause erupted around us. I joined in politely, though my mind was elsewhere. The Lancaster family locket was item number forty–seven in the catalog–still at least an hour away. I just needed to endure until then.

“Hannah Lancaster,” a voice cooed from behind me. “Is that really you?”

I turned to find Melissa Barton, another Harvard classmate, her pearl necklace gleaming under the dim lights. Two more women joined her, forming a half- circle of designer dresses and judgment around my chair.

“It’s been ages,” Melissa continued, her smile never reaching her eyes. “We heard what happened to your family… just tragic. And now you’re teaching at some… special needs center, is that right?”

“Sunshine Special Education Center,” I corrected, keeping my voice steady. “The children are wonderful.”

“How… noble,” said another woman, her eyes scanning my simple dress. “It must be quite an adjustment after your upbringing.”

Before I could respond, a blonde woman I didn’t recognize placed a champagne flute on our table. “You look thirsty, Hannah. I imagine it’s been a while since you’ve had good champagne.”

Edward tensed beside me, reaching for the glass, but I touched his arm gently. The gesture was so obvious–they wanted me to drink it and embarrass

myself.

“My dietary and lifestyle choices have changed quite a bit,” I replied with a calm smile. “But thank you for the thought.”

They exchanged glances, clearly disappointed I hadn’t taken the bait. As they drifted away, Edward leaned closer. “What was that about?

“Chili water in the champagne,” I whispered. “An old prep school trick.”

The seat to my left, which had been empty, was suddenly occupied by a man with slicked back hair and cologne so strong it made my eyes water. Michael King, Olivia’s husband’s business partner at Grant Construction.

“Hannah Lancaster,” he said, voice dripping with false sympathy. “How the mighty have fallen”

I shifted away slightly, the scent of his cologne overwhelming. “Hello, Mr. King.”

“Tell me,” he continued, leaning closer than necessary, what have you been doing since your family s… unfortunate circumstances

“After my family’s tragedy. I focused on special education work

Michael laughed, the sound harsh and dismissive Education? With your face, surely you could have secured something more…. hicrative

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Chapter 51 or 51

Michaels hand shband shook as he lowered the fork. “N–no, Mr. Sterling. It’s her–she suddenly hid being

Let me teach wach you about real social rules, Finn said, his voice carrying through the silent ballroom

He lowered his voice. I could help you

What happen happened next was so fast I barely registered it. Finn delivered two precise kicks that scra Michael vhodak could recover, Finn’s foot pressed down on his wrist, grinding it against the floor une fos

Michael Michael’s scream was primal. Brian appeared beside Finn, holding the champagne flute that had see

pear with one phone call. call.

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of a family name that me that

of your mother’s adtain. Thatan That’s the real

1. e. It shattered aquaned against his cheek, water

imaginabeyinable.

esse, braide, brandishing it like a weapon.

theron. 3e event staff hurriedly turned on all

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This whathis what you were serving?” Finn asked, taking the glass.

Without Without waiting for an answer, he poured the liquid over Michael’s contorted face. Michaet brutal

“I’m sorrEm sorry, Mr. Sterling! Please!” Michael sobbed, all pretense of dignity gone.

Finn steFinn stepped back, watching coldly as Michael scrambled away, cradling his broken wnsteinverst. The apologiapologize.

“Mr. Sto Mr. Sterling, please join us at the VIP table,” Olivia begged, her earner condescension senson replace

Finn ignored her, walking directly to where I stood frozen in shock. He pulled up the t out the chair ne the tab the table.

I stared at him, unable to process what had just happened.

Finn–who had no memory of me, who had treated me with cold suspicion are waking in the

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9:51 am

Chapter 51

ppp.

Michael’s hand shook as he lowered the fork. “N–no, Mr. Sterling. It’s her–she suddenly hid behind you.”

“Let me teach you about real social rules, Finn said, his voice carrying through the silent ballroom.

What happened next was so fast I barely registered it. Finn delivered two precise kicks that sent Michael crashing onto the glass–strewn floor. Before Michael could recover, Finn’s foot pressed down on his wrist, grinding it against the floor until a sickening crack echoed through the room.

Michael’s scream was primal. Brian appeared beside Finn, holding the champagne flute that had been left at my table earlier.

“This what you were serving?” Finn asked, taking the glass.

hout waiting for an answer, he poured the liquid over Michael’s contorted face. Michael thrashed in agony as the chili water burned his eyes.

sorry, Mr. Sterling! Please!” Michael sobbed, all pretense of dignity gone.

Finn stepped back, watching coldly as Michael scrambled away, cradling his broken wrist. The entire Grant family rushed forward, falling over themselves to apologize.

“Mr. Sterling, please join us at the VIP table,” Olivia begged, her earlier condescension replaced by desperate fawning.

Finn ignored her, walking directly to where I stood frozen in shock. He pulled out the chair next to mine and sat down, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

I stared at him, unable to process what had just happened.

Finn–who had no me of me, who had treated me with cold suspicion since waking in the hospital–had just violently defended my honor.

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