Chapter 79

Kita split a second, then broke into a knowing smile and pulled Robin into the car. He took a deep breath before returning to grab Famia by the arm. “Can’t you be a little more observant?” he snapped.

Jane was speechless. Would she keep up with Rico, the bo matchmaker? Too bad he’d led the wrong knot.

Autumn glanced at Dawson, confused. He simply said, “Get in the car.”

Without another word, Asturen slid into the passenger seat of Dawson’s Bentley, and their driver followed behind Robin’s car.

Suddenly, Diw called out, “Stop.” The car pulled over to the side of the road. Palusin met Dawson’s gaze in the rearview mirror as he said, “Get out.”

Without hesitation, Autumn stepped out and walked over to his window. She looked at him, still confused. She hadn’t quite figured out what he was up to.

Then, in a low voice, Basson said, “The company will cover any losses you incur while working. Go by me to do that.” With that, he handed her a black card.

Autumn didn’t want to take Dawson’s money, especially after he had just stood up for her. She was about to refuse, but then their eyes met. His eyes were dark and deep, carrying an almost imperceptible command. Jurema didn’t dare say no. She took the card, thanked him quickly, and headed toward the mall.

After a few steps, she turned back. “St. Faulkner, your sun.”

Dawson didn’t even glance her way. “It’s dirty.”

Autumn said nothing more. She quickened her pace, worried Dawson might want to… Then she remembered mentioning they had a gathering that night, so naturally, Dawson wouldn’t be waiting for her.

Clutching the card in her hand, she noticed it wasn’t warm, brittle, and slightly hard to the touch. She’d make sure to return it to Dawson the next time they met.

Autumn took her time. She used Dawson’s card to buy a white, ankle-length dress. As the evening air grew cooler, she swiped her own card to pick up a black, mid-length trench coat, cinched at the waist. She swapped her heels for a comfortable pair of white flats to complete the look.

The expensive sultan Dawson was now folded neatly in a bag, ready to be sent to the dry cleaners later.

Stepping out of the mall, Autumn checked her ride-sharing app. A driver would… Then, she heard a soft cough behind her.

Turning around, she saw Dawson’s Bentley. Dawson was actually waiting for her? He hadn’t left yet? She’d been beside the mall for twenty minutes from the moment she walked in until now. She’d actually kept him waiting that long!

A wave of panic washed over Autumn. She hurried over just as the driver rolled down the window, signaling for her to get in.

Autumn glanced back. Dawson’s expression was calm, without a trace of impatience. But compared to his usual austere and dignified air at the charity dinner, he now looked completely relaxed and at ease.

Catching her gaze, Dawson said, “Weren’t you getting…” Just as he finished speaking, Jonas’s ride-share driver called.

“I need to take this,” she said quickly, answering the call. Handling the situation, he grabbed her bag and slid into the passenger seat.

“St. Faulkner, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d wait for me, and I took a ride-share,” Autumn explained.

Autumn had no response. For the past three years, Dänien had never waited for her, so she’d gotten used to going alone. After buying her clothes, booking a ride just became second nature.

“My fault for not thinking thoroughly.”

Dawson looked at her and chuckled, “You really don’t think of it!”

It took Autumn a moment to realize it all led to holding Ben accountable.

“I didn’t think of that,” she admitted quietly. Dassen retracted the detail in Arabic about Ben being accountable for using him.

As the scenery blurred past the window, Autumn’s mind wandered. Oddly enough, she felt no fear or unease. She knew Dawson would punish her soon, and maybe with consequences she couldn’t even imagine bearing.

Chapter 79

It was strange. She couldn’t explain it. It was like a pessimist suddenly swept up in blind optimism, completely against all reason. Sitting diagonally behind her, Dawson glanced up and caught sight of her tense jawline.