The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 145

Verna shot to her feet. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

The sudden outburst startled me, my heart pounding in my chest as I, too, stood up.

How dare he make a move like that, right in front of me? The audacity was staggering.

Hugo looked up with an expression of pure innocence.

“Don’t be so dramatic. I was just complimenting your beauty. I forgot that you Eastern women are naturally more reserved.”

Verna bit her lip, her hands clenched into fists. She was shorter than me and looked tiny next to Hugo, but her voice was strong and clear.

“This has nothing to do with where I’m from. Sir, that was harassment, and you owe me an apology!”

Hugo’s jaw dropped in feigned shock. “My God, I was just paying you a compliment, and you’re accusing me of harassment?”

He looked at me, seeking validation. “She’s overreacting, isn’t she?”

Verna’s eyes immediately darted to mine.

My expression was grim. I quickly scanned the room, weighing my options. Confront him, or stall for time?

We were in a private, enclosed room. Hugo was a mountain of a man, his arms corded with muscle. Verna and I together couldn’t take him. To escape, we’d have to get past him. A direct confrontation was risky.

I didn’t know the emergency number in Taros. My heart hammered against my ribs as I discreetly found Steven’s number, turned the volume off, and dialed.

*Please, Steven, don’t hang up.*

Hugo was pressing me for an answer, leaning closer. I quickly locked my phone screen and looked up with a placating smile, trying to buy time.

“Sir, you really shouldn’t touch a woman without her permission.”

His face darkened, a flash of anger in his eyes. Fearing I’d provoked him, I quickly added, “But I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by it. You were just struck by her beauty and made a

mistake.”

Hugo seemed satisfied with that. He turned back to Verna. “You see? She’s a woman, too. Madam, you are far too sensitive.”

Verna’s eyes reddened with fury. “Sensitive? Wasn’t he just deliberately touching me? How can you take his side?”

.19

20-50

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I felt a vibration from my phone–Steven must have answered. A wave of relief washed over me. I tried to signal her with my eyes. “Don’t get upset. Let’s all just sit down and talk this through…” “Enough!” Verna cut me off with a cold laugh, looking at me as if I were a traitor. She glared at Hugo. “I heard you say you’re a famous designer at your company, right? The boss’s son? You must care about your reputation. Now listen to me: apologize, and I’ll leave immediately. Otherwise, I’m calling the police!”

Hugo’s features hardened, but his smile remained. “I truly didn’t mean any harm. Don’t you think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill?”

Verna was done talking. She furiously pulled out her phone to call the police.

Before I could stop her, Hugo snatched the phone and smashed it on the floor. He spat out a phrase in French–it sounded like a curse–then turned to Verna and slapped her twice across the face.

My eyes flew open in shock. Verna, too frail to withstand the blows, crumpled to the ground, her gaze still defiant as she stared him down.

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