Those two words, "kept woman," made Cecilia Nathan's brow furrow, and she didn't bother to hide her disgust.
The subtle movement did not escape Damian Hawthorne's eyes.
She was dressed better today than he had ever seen her.
He had to admit, freed from his preferences, Cecilia Nathan's current style suited her far better.
No wonder she was attracting flies.
"Mr. Hawthorne, you don't object to what I said, do you?" the man asked again, unwilling to give up.
"I do," Damian Hawthorne said, his lips curling into a cold smirk. "Even if Cecilia isn't with me, she's still under my protection. And with your level of wealth, you're not nearly qualified to keep her."
With that, Damian Hawthorne reached out and placed his hand on Cecilia Nathan's waist.
A searing heat spread from her waist. Cecilia shifted slightly, but Damian's large hand was like a shackle, holding her still.
"Cecilia doesn't like being kept. If you want to court her, you're welcome to try."
