Chapter 207: Sort of Articles

"I don't want his apology," Sophie says. "He insulted me and broke my precious necklace. Oh, I feel like I might vomit blood."

Bryan says, "It's not my fault your necklace was so low quality it—"

Avery pinches Bryan's arm, forcing him to shut up. Now she understands why all of his agents quit.

"Ms. Johnson, the show is going to begin soon," Avery says. "If you like, I can help you fix the necklace, and then we can discuss this all after it's over."

"You look familiar, but I can't figure out why," Sophie says. "Are you sure we haven't met somewhere?"

Though Avery struggles to remember many things, it seems possible that she's met Sophie Johnson as some fashion show or charity auction. Before she can say anything, the lights flicker backstage, and someone shouts a five-minute warning. The small area descends into absolute chaos as everyone rushes to get into place.

Sophie sits at a makeup table and pulls a small kit from her pocket. She tries to repair the damaged chain, but the links are too small for such quick work. The assistant handed her a bit of string.

"It's our only option now," the assistant says nervously.

Sophie throws the string onto the ground. "Do you really expect me to send a piece tied together with string onto the runway?" she asks in an insulting tone. "Oh, the entire show is ruined! I'm ruined!"

"There must be another way," Avery says.

"Who do you think you are? Another way?" Sophie shouts. "There is no other way!"

"I'd be happy to buy the necklace instead," Avery offers. "It would be my honor to own such a beautiful and unique piece."

"You think this is just about the necklace?" Sophie wails. "It's my show, my design, my reputation—it's all on the line."

Avery nods calmly as she desperately tries to think of a way to save the situation.

"Actually, I think it's good," she says. She takes the broken necklace and holds it up to the light. "This is more interesting. It's different, and it makes a statement. Everyone has been talking about how avant-garde and provocative this show is supposed to be, so why not give them something truly surprising?"

Sophie looks intently at the necklace. "You think?" she asks.

"Yes," Avery says. "Let the necklace tell a story. Perhaps it belonged to a human woman. The vampire fell in love with her, but he desperately wanted her blood. He fought his instincts for so long, but one night she kissed him, and he lost control. He bit her neck and broke the necklace. She died, and now he keeps the necklace to remember his lost love." 

"That's quite a story," Sophie says. "But what will I do with all these loose jewels?"

"Why not glue the scattered gems to his face and at the corners of his mouth?" Avery says. "He can carry the necklace in his hand as he walks the runway."

"Oh, very good," Sophie says. "Are you sure I don't know you from somewhere? Have we worked together before?"

A makeup assistant rushes over and glues the jewels to Bryan's face. As Bryan moves his head, the jewels catch the light. The red rubies at the corners of his mouth look like drops of blood. Sophie hands Bryan the broken necklace and steps back to study the look.

Slowly, she breaks into a smile. "Oh, this is lovely," she says. "This show is going to be such a success!"

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Avery exhales with relief and gives Bryan a fierce glance. He smiles calmly without any trace of guilt.

"Behave yourself," Avery whispers, "Or I swear to God, I'll tell your mother about all you've been up to."

Avery glances down and sees that Bryan's cape is crooked. She tries to straighten it, but Bryan flinches away in pain. She tugs his collar again and undoes the top button on his shirt. She sucks in her breath: his collarbone is purple with bruises.

"Did you get into a fight?" she asks.

He looks down at the floor. "It was an accident," he says.

"I don't believe you," Avery says. "What kind of an accident only hurts your collarbone?"

She looks at his chest and notices a small wooden pendant tied with a red thread. She wants to ask him about the necklace, but the assistant grabs his arm and leads him toward the stage.

"I can't thank you enough," Sophie says to Avery. "You've completely saved my show. What's your name?"

"I'm Avery"

"Have you studied jewelry design, Avery?" Sophie asks. "Because I think you'd be a great addition to my team."

"Oh no, it's just an interest of mine," Avery says.

"Well, that's too bad," Sophie says, "But why don't you come to watch the show with me?"

Evan tugs his tie off and throws it onto his desk. It lands on a pile of photos showing Avery and Bryan backstage. In one photo, she has her hand on his arm; in others, she tugs his cape, and in a third, she seems to unbutton his shirt. Evan knows jealousy is irrational—Bryan is practically her brother—but he hates seeing her touch other men.

It's especially unfair when I can't even touch her myself, he thinks. I can't believe I ever agreed to Robert's stupid idea. He closes his eyes and rubbed his temples. "This is a nightmare," he says.

"I know it's difficult, Mr. Howel," Robert said, "But the plan is working. Your grandfather has calmed a bit, and that's a good sign."

Evan's scowl deepens and swipes the photos of his desk.

"Think about Avery," Robert advises, "This is all for her sake. You know your grandfather thinks she's a threat to the family, and you know what he's capable of. If he wanted to, he could make her disappear as easily as Diana. The child in her belly is the only thing protecting her, and even that might not be enough."

Evan sighs. He hates to admit it, but Robert has a point. Francis Howel is a ruthless man, and Evan knows he'd have no problem getting rid of Avery. He angrily tugs his hair and grits his teeth. It's humiliating to be so powerless, he thinks. All I want to do is protect the woman I love, but I can't even protect her from my own grandfather. "I want to talk to him," Evan says aloud.

"To your grandfather?" Robert asks. "I don't think he's in the country right now."

Evan grabs Robert's phone and dials his grandfather's number, but the phone goes straight to voicemail. 

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