Chapter 577

Lucian brushed back a stray lock of hair from Allison’s forehead with a gentle touch. His gaze darkened. “Allison,” his voice was a husky whisper, “don’t be afraid.”

It seemed she heard him. Her furrowed brows relaxed.

The buzz of his phone disrupted the moment. His phone was vibrating insistently in his pocket. He pulled it out to see “Shawn” flashing on the screen.

Lucian didn’t answer the call, but hung up instead. He texted Shawn, [What happened?]

[I’ve searched everywhere, but no sign of Robbie. It’s like the guy just vanished into thin air. I found out he took a loan from Darian at high rates, but Darian says he’s gone into hiding. I’ve checked all of Robbie’s usual haunts. No results. Feels like it’s not just him laying low-like someone’s deliberately hiding him.]

[Before I started looking, a bunch of others were after him too. One group was from Miss Allison, and her agent Emma, and another… another was one of Penelope’s.]

Lucian read the message. Just as he suspected, Penelope’s people were also on the hunt for Robbie.

He knew why Allison was searching. She wanted to clear things up, to defend herself.

Penelope…

He remembered when he’d gone to the Blue Club to find Robbie, the man had insisted the woman in the photo was Allison. It seemed Robbie had already been bought by Penelope. Lucian had figured out that the woman in the picture was Penelope, but he didn’t want to believe it. In his mind, Penelope had always been kind-hearted; she had saved him and his mother. Now, he was told that Penelope was deceitful, cunning. He needed time to accept that. He needed solid proof before he could call off their engagement.

Blue Club.

Third floor office.

Emma opened her eyes and sat up, hissing softly from the intense night before. Her legs still trembled from the sex.

She glanced at Hughes, who was still asleep. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and took the shower. The warm water eased the soreness from her body. She felt much better.

The bathroom door was ajar. Hughes walked in, wrapping his arms around her. Emma pushed him away playfully. “I’m covered in soap.”

“You woke up and didn’t call me,” Hughes chided.

“Why should I wake you?” Emma retorted.

“Yes, it’s my fault for not waking sooner. Let me serve Ms. Lauren in her bath.”

“Oh, stop it. I’ve got work to do.”

“Your job is to watch over a star every second? Your boss, that actress named Allison?”

“Not entirely. I’ve got to review a script today, and then meet with a brand manager about an endorsement deal at noon. In the afternoon, I’m with Allison for a commercial shoot.” She couldn’t trust Paige to handle it alone. She had to be there.

“You’re quick to give orders, but I waited up for you until the wee hours.” Hughes nipped at her ear.

Steam filled the bathroom as they settled into the bathtub.

“Mr. Hughes, do me a favor.”

“Don’t get distracted. You’re thinking of business now?”

Emma gritted her teeth. “Then hurry up and let’s talk after!”