Austin’s eyes locked onto the emerald-green dress, then traveled up to the blinding diamond choker around my neck.
His jaw shook with a mixture of raw humiliation and intense jealousy.
"Chloe!" my father bellowed, pushing past a row of stunned socialites. "What is the meaning of this? You are supposed to be standing next to Austin, not whoring yourself out to a Vance!"
The word hung heavily in the air, instantly catching the attention of nearby reporters.
Cameras flashed frantically, catching my father's red, angry face.
I flinched. A deep-seated childhood fear of my father instantly paralyzed me. My hands turned to ice.
But Damien didn't move an inch.
His arm around my waist tightened, his grip turning to solid iron, completely anchoring me against him.
"Mr. Sterling," Damien’s vo
