Taming The Billionaire's Obsession - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Jane remained unresponsive.
Seeing this, Hayden had no choice but to forcefully grab her arm, help her up, and escort her away.
The moment Hayden pulled Jane up, a sharp pain shot through Jane's left ankle. But she deliberately ignored the dull ache in her ankle and numbly forced herself to stand up.
With her very first step, sharp pain shot through her foot as if she were stepping on the tip of a knife. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and her body swayed uncontrollably to one side.
Hayden reacted instantly, steadying Jane with a firm hold at her waist to help her regain her balance. His palm met only the chilling cold of her champagne-soaked dress.
Under his palm, he could distinctly feel Jane's body trembling faintly.
Hayden couldn't bear to see her like this. Supporting her firmly, he said gently, "Take it easy, Ms. Ritter. I've got you."
Jane nodded numbly, saying nothing. She bit her lip, leaning her entire weight on Hayden as she hobbled out of the hall.
Watching as Jane leaned weakly against Hayden, her delicate figure slowly fading from view, Luke frowned slightly. His eyes gleamed with a glacial, impenetrable coldness.
Noticing Luke's expression, Ella felt an unsettling twinge in her chest.
Just then, Yvonne walked over and asked, "Luke, what kept you? Did something happen? Thank goodness your grandfather wasn't feeling well and left early. Had he witnessed that scene just now, who knows what he might have said?"
Yvonne's greatest concern was the Drake family's succession.
Although Luke currently held an unrivaled position within the Drake Group, with virtually the entire family under his command, as long as Samuel hadn't officially handed over the reins, there was always a chance he could change his mind.
With so many uncles and collateral relatives eyeing the position above Luke, Yvonne didn't want any last-minute complications.
"Got delayed a few minutes. Nothing serious," Luke replied, his brows still tightly furrowed, his expression cold and distant. His gaze lingered in the direction from which Jane had just departed.
At that moment, Ella stepped forward with perfect timing. She said, "Mrs. Drake, I'm so sorry. I never thought my cousin would be so ill-mannered. To think she'd come here begging for money. It's all my fault for not stopping her."
Yvonne gently patted Ella's hand and said, "This isn't your fault, dear. How could you have known there are such shameless people in this world?
"But, Ella, don't think me meddlesome—it's best to sever ties with relatives like her as soon as possible. You absolutely mustn't be soft-hearted and let her pester you again.
"Who knows what diseases a woman doing that kind of work outside might contract? You're from a respectable family; you simply can't afford to show any weakness.
"Otherwise, if she resorts to desperate measures and drags you down with her, you'll be the one to suffer."
Yvonne's implication couldn't have been clearer. She might as well have said it outright that she found Jane unclean and was terrified that Ella might catch some contamination just by being near her.
Luke suddenly cut in, "That kind of work?" His icy glare pierced through the two women beside him. He pressed, "Are you talking about that woman just now? What kind of business are you implying she does?"