35: HOW DARE YOU!

HOW DARE YOU!

"Why are you doing this, Mr. Briggs?" Ingrid could not refrain from asking him.1

"Hmm... doing what?"

"This, dancing with me and the intention of taking over as my dance partner. It felt so weird." Clifford cleared his throat.

"Well, I saw Georgina coming over so..."

"So you used me? How dare you!" she tried to wiggle out from his embrace, but his hands were tight.

"Hmm, is Mr. McNaught your fiancé?" he said while tightening more his hold on her.

"Ha? No! I've never met the man before. And please loosen your hold, I can't breathe!" she protested.

He then slightly let go of his hold, and to his surprise, Ingrid squirmed from his grasp. But she caught her hands.

The people were amazed at what they see as if they saw a dramatic scene from a movie. The woman was ready to leave while the man caught her hand, and then looked at him and slightly struggled from his grip.

"Where do you think you are going?" he said sternly.

"The music already stopped, Mr. Briggs, are you deaf?"

Then Lance came into view.

"I think it's my turn now, Mr. Briggs." Lance said firmly.

"Will you both leave me alone?" Ingrid said, fuming with irritation. "... I am not your toy that you could play as you please. So, if you'll excuse me." She stomped away from them, leaving the men with their mouths wide open.

Clifford smirks at Ingrid's action, and all the more, Lance missed the chance of dancing with her. Lance could only stare at the woman's back and sighed heavily.

'I'll have to work harder from now on... You'll be mine someday, Ingrid.' He said to himself with full determination.

...

Ingrid was so irritated that she decided to go home right away, and she almost forgot that her parents were around. Upon remembering them, she stopped her tracks and went back to her parents. Before she could speak, she heard a woman's voice.

"So, your Cliff's new woman." Georgina said accusingly.

"I beg your pardon, miss? I am no man's woman." She said proudly.

"Oh really?" the woman said sarcastically. "... I warn you, no one's gonna take Clifford away from me. He's mine and mine alone!"

"If you want to rant, go over to your lover. You should rein him tighter so that he'll stop pestering me." she said devilishly. The woman was smoking with anger when she heard her response.

"You–" Georgina's eyes narrowed in rage, but Ingrid did not mind her. She just shifted her attention to her parents.

"Where are you staying tonight, dad, mom?"

"I think we'll stay at the suite, Clifford reserved for us."

"Oh, okay. I'll have to go, I am already feeling tired. But I'll meet you tomorrow and bring him."

Little did she know that Clifford heard what she said.

'Him? Who is he?'

"Mr. Clint, Mrs. Helen, I apologize if I'll head to home early,"

"Don't worry, just go your way..." she bid goodbye to everyone while she squinted angrily at Clifford.

"I'll accompany you, Ingrid." Lance said. Ingrid just nodded to avoid Clifford at all cost because she could not control herself if Clifford is around.

"We'll head first,"

...

They waited for her driver to arrive in front of the hotel.

"Can I see you tomorrow, Ingrid?" Lance suddenly asked.

"Ahh why? For what reason?"

"I just want to make friends with you, that's all."

"Hmm.. I'll think about it. Besides I'll be spending my time with my parents tomorrow, so..."

"Uhmm, can I join you? If It's okay..." he persisted.

"Ahh, maybe... oh, here's my car. Thanks! Bye." The driver opened the backseat door, and she went inside, evading him. Lance just glance at the car and waved goodbye. He sighed deeply before going back to the Howards' spot.

The party went smoothly. And the last part of it was the official announcement of CEO Briggs that he will retire and pass the position to his son. Everyone applauded, and the media did not miss any of it, primarily when the new CEO danced with the company's EVP.

Tomorrow, they will hit the headlines for sure.

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