Chapter 259

“What’s your problem?” Simon demanded angrily.

“Move aside. I’ll take Fran to her room myself,” Andrew replied coldly.

Simon barely contained his rage. “Just hand her over. As her senior apprentice, I’m the most qualified to look after her!” he insisted.

“Actually, I was going to let you,” Andrew said mockingly. “But now I don’t trust you, so I’ll do it myself.”

Simon’s constant jealousy and hostility had worn Andrew’s patience thin. Though fuming, Simon had no choice but to step aside. Andrew carried Francesca to her room and, after ensuring she was settled, stepped out.

“Now you can get lost!” Simon spat.

Andrew gave him a cold look. “Stop deluding yourself, Simon. Fran has no feelings for you.”

He strode away, leaving Simon red-faced with anger. The front door slammed shut behind Andrew as he hailed a cab back to the Moonlit Sanctuary. However, Simon’s predatory glances toward Francesca gnawed at his mind.

Something felt wrong. Andrew frowned and quickly returned to the Alcker residence.

Meanwhile, inside, Simon crept toward Francesca’s room. After confirming the other apprentices were asleep and Cedric was still out, he reached for her door with ill intent.

“Fran, tonight, I’m going to make you mine!”

Simon’s throat burned with desire as he stared at the peacefully sleeping Francesca. Step by step, he approached her, his eyes blazing with uncontrollable hunger. His breath quickened, his body ablaze with the thought of claiming her—his long-held craving surging to the surface. He had been obsessed with Francesca for what felt like an eternity. Ever since Andrew had cured her mysterious ailment, that obsession had become an uncontrollable inferno.

“Fran,” he murmured, his voice husky, “I need to taste the sweetness of your lips. You’re mine—from head to toe, you belong to me, and I’m going to make sure you know it.”

Closing his eyes, Simon leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to Francesca’s, trembling with twisted anticipation.

Yet, before he could reach her, a powerful force slammed into his back, sending him flying across the room. The impact nearly shattered his bones.

“Mr. Alcker, when did you return?” Simon asked fearfully, trembling. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. Please forgive me!”

Andrew emerged from the shadows, his stare cold. “Wasn’t thinking clearly? Somehow, I doubt that.”

“You’re not Mr. Alcker!” Simon exclaimed in shock. “Andrew, when did you come back?”