Chapter 323

Just as Tina was about to take Teresa to the hotel, Lysander hurried over and stopped her. “Ms. Thompson, let me take Teresa back to her room. The others are waiting for you to return and have a drink,” he said.

Tina held onto Teresa tightly, forcing a smile. “Mr. Carrington, I think I’ll skip the drinks. I’ll take Teresa back myself,” she replied.

Lysander didn't bother to argue. He grabbed Teresa’s other wrist and pushed Tina aside. “Ms. Thompson, Teresa and I are close. I’ll take her back,” he insisted.

Tina refused to let go, remembering Jonathan’s warning. She lowered her voice and said, “Mr. Carrington, you’re supposed to set an example.”

Lysander’s face instantly turned cold. “What’s that supposed to mean, Ms. Thompson? You think I’d do something to Teresa? Who do you think I am? Do you really think it’s your place to lecture me?”

Tina shook her head. “Mr. Carrington, that’s not what I meant. I’m just worried it might affect your reputation.”

“My reputation? Didn’t I just say Teresa and I are close? Are you deaf? Mind your own business and just do your job,” Lysander snapped.

Sensing the threat in his tone, Tina didn’t dare push further. Lysander put his arm around Teresa’s shoulders and walked off with her. Anxious, Tina stomped her foot and quickly sent Jonathan a message.

When they reached the elevator, Lysander pressed the button. Just as he tried to put his arm around her again, Teresa snapped out of it and shoved his hand away with all her might. “Get lost!”

With a ding, the elevator doors slid open. Still dazed, Teresa thought it was an escape route and dashed inside. Lysander grinned and followed her in.

“Ms. Johnston, you’re not getting away tonight,” Lysander said, rubbing his hands together as he stared at her cowering in the corner. “I’ve had my eye on you for a long time.”

His huge frame blocked her in. Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Teresa forced herself up and slammed the “Open” button, making the doors slide back open. She was desperate to get out and call for help.

Lysander watched her futile attempt to escape and yanked her back. “Ms. Johnston, you must be drunk. Where do you think you’re going? Your room’s upstairs. I’ll make sure you get back safe, so stop running.”

“Get away from me! Get away!” Teresa shouted, and as Lysander leaned in, she slapped him across the face.

The slap wasn’t hard, but it angered Lysander. After all, Teresa had once sent him a voice message, cursing him out and calling him an old creep. Furious, he reached out to grab her, ready to force a kiss.

A long, slender hand shot out to block the elevator doors just as they were about to close. The doors slid open again, revealing Jonathan, slightly out of breath.

Like she’d just spotted her lifeline, Teresa ran straight to Jonathan.

Jonathan strode into the elevator, wrapped an arm around Teresa’s waist, and pulled her tightly into his arms. All the tension that had been holding Teresa rigid melted away the moment he hugged her.

“You. Get out of here.” With that, Jonathan kicked Lysander out of the elevator.

He set Teresa down on a nearby chair, draped his jacket over her, and then, unable to contain his anger any longer, grabbed Lysander by the collar and landed a punch so hard it knocked out one of Lysander’s false teeth.

“Sir, you can’t fight in the hotel!” By the time the front desk staff heard Lysander’s howls and rushed over, it was too late. Jonathan had already landed a brutal kick below the belt. The staff saw Lysander doubled over, clutching himself, his face swollen and bruised like a pig’s head.

It took several staff members to pull Jonathan away before he could beat Lysander further. He scooped Teresa up in his arms, ready to leave.

Gritting his teeth through the pain, Lysander shouted after Jonathan, “You’re finished! How dare you do this to me! I’m telling you, you’re done for!”

“Lysander, huh? Got it.” Jonathan turned back, looking down at him. “Let’s see who’s really finished, me, or you.” With that, he carried Teresa away.