Chapter 9

As soon as the words fell, a chorus of fawning compliments immediately erupted around them.

"Mr. Henry, you're so lucky!"

"Ms. Simmons truly lives up to her reputation as Philadelphia's number one beauty. You and Mr. Henry are a perfect match!"

Annie felt the blood in her entire body instantly turn ice-cold. She tried to break free, but the hand clamped around her waist was like an iron vise, completely immovable.

"Let go of me!" She lowered her voice, forcing the words through gritted teeth.

Thierry's smile remained unchanged. His lips nearly touching her ear, he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Let you go? The life and death of the Simmons family is firmly in my grasp. Behave yourself tonight and be an obedient dog, or else—you know the consequences."

The cold threat slithered into Annie's heart like a venomous snake. Her whole body stiffened, and she no longer dared to move.

Calla, standing nearby, was completely oblivious to all this.

She smiled from ear to ear, constantly nodding to the guests around them, as if her daughter had already secured her position as the future mistress of Henry Group.

Seeing Annie comply, Thierry pushed even further. His other hand also wrapped around her, practically imprisoning her entire body in his embrace. He smiled at the crowd and said, "My fiancée is just like this—easily shy."

He even deliberately blew a breath of hot air on Annie's earlobe.

A sense of humiliation instantly engulfed Annie's entire body. She trembled uncontrollably, her eyes quickly turning red, but she could only bite her lip hard, forcing the tears back.

More and more guests gathered around them. Philadelphia's elite surrounded Thierry at the center, competing to curry favor with him.

"Mr. Henry is truly young and accomplished. You're worthy of being Henry Group's heir—even the high and mighty Ellis family favors you!"

"That's right! I heard that Ms. Ellis personally delivered the invitation to you? This honor is unique in all of Philadelphia!"

Listening to this flattery, Thierry was full of himself, puffing out his chest with an air of entitlement: "You're all too kind. For the Ellis family's future business in Philadelphia, I'll need everyone's help."

He boasted extravagantly, as if he were already a core member of the Ellis family, while Annie was like an exquisite trophy being displayed to everyone.

Listening to those fake compliments, she felt waves of nausea.

But she didn't dare say a single word of refusal.

Just as Thierry was at his most triumphant, a figure completely out of place at this luxurious banquet cut through the crowd of elegantly dressed people and walked straight toward them.

Wearing a cheap suit washed until it was faded, yet standing as straight as a pine tree, with no expression on his face.

It was Jack.

The moment Annie saw him, her heart contracted sharply, fear and worry instantly overwhelming her humiliation.

What was he doing here?

Was this a place he should be? Did he know the consequences of doing this?

Thierry naturally saw Jack too. A flash of viciousness and contempt crossed his eyes, as if he'd seen something filthy.

"Well, well, if it isn't the guard dog Annie keeps?"

He released Annie, stuck both hands in his pockets, and stood contemptuously in front of Jack.

"Who let you in? Can't you tell which trash can you belong in?"

Jack stopped, his gaze moving past Thierry to land on Annie.

Annie's lips had lost all color. She shook her head frantically at him, silently mouthing: "Leave! Now!"

Jack didn't move.

He looked at Thierry, his tone as calm as still water: "I'm here to take Ms. Simmons home."

"Take her home?" Thierry acted as if he'd heard the joke of the century, laughing exaggeratedly. "What are you? A stinking bodyguard whose salary depends on our family's support—you dare cause trouble at a place like this?"

The surrounding guests also cast disdainful looks, whispering among themselves.

"Who is this guy? How did he get in?"

"Seems to be Ms. Simmons's bodyguard... Really has no manners."

"A bodyguard? Hahaha, what does he think this place is?"

Thierry walked up to Jack, jabbing his chest with his index finger, saying word by word: "Let me tell you, Annie is my fiancée. Tonight, she's not going anywhere. And you—get the hell out!"

He suddenly turned around and shouted at the security guards by the door: "Security! Throw this fool out! Break his legs and toss him in a ditch!"

Four burly security guards immediately rushed over, grabbing Jack's arms from both sides, shouting fiercely: "Sir, please leave immediately!"

Jack stood in place, completely motionless.

The two guards used all their strength but found they couldn't budge this man even an inch.

Thierry's face instantly turned livid: "You two useless fools! Can't even handle one piece of trash? Beat him out of here!"

The two guards' faces flushed red, and they were about to swing their fists.

"Stop."

A cool, clear female voice came from the entrance of the banquet hall.

Not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority that instantly froze all the noise in the entire hall.

Everyone turned to look in unison.

A tall figure appeared in the light at the entrance.

Silver-white hair cascading like moonlight, azure eyes like the purest deep sea, wearing a haute couture red gown that made her stand out like the only flame in the darkness.

She walked slowly forward, her innate noble aura instantly eclipsing all the socialites and wealthy ladies present.

The security captain recognized her face, his pupils suddenly contracting, his legs going weak, his voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Ms. Ellis!"

The other two guards holding Jack were also scared out of their wits, immediately releasing him and kneeling on the ground.

The entire venue erupted.

"Ms. Ellis? Which Ms. Ellis?"

Suddenly someone in the crowd cried out: "It's... it's Ms. Avery Ellis from the Ellis family! Avery Ellis?!"

All the guests gasped, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

This heir to a global top-tier wealthy family, who only existed in legends, had actually appeared in person!

The arrogance and viciousness on Thierry's face instantly vanished without a trace, replaced by extreme flattery and humility. He practically scrambled forward, bowing at a ninety-degree angle, his voice changing pitch: "Ms. Ellis! Why did you come out yourself? I was just thinking of going to greet you."

However, Avery didn't spare him even a glance from the corner of her eye.

She walked straight past Thierry.

Thierry froze in place, his outstretched hand suspended in mid-air, his expression a spectacular sight.

Everyone's gaze followed Avery's steps like searchlights.

They watched as she passed through the dumbstruck crowd and walked straight up to the man in the cheap suit.

In the deathly silence of the entire venue, she bowed slightly, her tone full of apology.

"Mr. Caldwell, I'm terribly sorry. I arrived late and let you be frightened."

The entire world seemed to explode in Annie's mind.

Those guests who had just been mocking Jack were now all stunned.

Calla's legs went weak, barely able to stand, and she grabbed onto the table beside her for support.

And Annie stared at Avery, her expression shocked. "It's you?!"