The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 113

113 A Debt of Gratitude, A Stirring Heart

113 A Debt of Gratitude, A Stirring Heart

Hazel’s POV 1

The ballroom buzzed with a new energy as I moved through the crowd. Where once I’d felt invisible eyes judging my every step, now I found myself surrounded by eager smiles and extended hands. The transformation was as dramatic as it was transparent.

“Ms. Shaw, I simply adore your designs!” A woman in her fifties with perfectly coiffed silver hair touched my arm. “My daughter is getting married next spring. Would you consider designing her gown?”

Before I could respond, another woman cut in. “I’ve been following your work since your first collection. So innovative! I’d love to discuss a potential investment in your brand.”

I smiled politely, exchanging business cards with both women. “I’d be delighted to speak with you further. Perhaps we could schedule appointments next week?”

More women approached, each with compliments and business propositions. My mental calendar was filling rapidly with potential clients and investors-exactly the connections I’d struggled to make on my own for years.

From across the room, I noticed Liana Langdon and her daughter, Gloria Everett, watching me with undisguised jealousy. Gloria’s face had gone almost purple with rage as she whispered something to her mother. The sight shouldn’t have given me satisfaction, but it did. I offered them a small smile before turning back to my new

admirers.

“Excuse me,

ladies.” Sebastian’s deep voice cut smoothly through the chatter. “I hate to interrupt, but I need to borrow Ms. Shaw for a moment.”

The women parted like the Red Sea, their eyes following Sebastian with undisguised admiration as he guided me away with a light touch at my elbow.

“You rescued me just in time,” I murmured. “One more minute and they might have started bidding for my services.”

Sebastian chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Mother says the party’s winding down. I thought I’d walk you to your car.”

20.48

1/5

“That’s not necessary,” I protested weakly, even as I followed him toward the grand

entrance.

“Perhaps not necessary, but I insist.” His tone left no room for argument.

We walked in comfortable silence through the mansion’s ornate hallways. The string quartet’s music faded behind us, replaced by the gentle clicking of my heels against the marble floor.

The night air was crisp when we stepped outside, stars visible despite the city lights in the distance. Sebastian’s driver had already brought my car around, its engine purring quietly at the bottom of the steps.

“Thank you for coming tonight,” Sebastian said, stopping at the top of the stairs. “It meant a lot to my mother.”

“I enjoyed myself more than I expected to,” I admitted. “Your family is… not what I anticipated.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Definitely.” I smiled. “Cora is wonderful. She’s nothing like—”

I bit my lip, catching myself before completing the comparison.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Nothing like what people say about us?”

“Something like that.” I looked down, embarrassed to have been so transparent.

“The Sinclair reputation serves its purpose,” he said, his voice matter-of-fact. “It keeps certain people at a distance.”

I nodded, understanding perfectly. I’d built my own walls for similar reasons.

“Hazel.” The way Sebastian said my name made me look up. His eyes were serious, intent. “May I make a suggestion?”

“Of course.”

“I think it’s time we moved beyond formalities.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” he continued, “that we’ve known each other for twenty years, even if most of

20:48

2/5

that time was spent unaware. You saved my life twice. I’ve watched over you from afar. And now we’re standing here, still addressing each other as ‘Mr. Sinclair’ and ‘Ms. Shaw’ in private.”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “You want us to use first names?”

“I’d consider it a privilege to call you Hazel without reservation,” he said, his voice softening. “And I’d like to hear you call me Sebastian without the weight of formality behind it.”

Something in his words made my stomach flutter. “I think I can manage that… Sebastian.”

His name felt different on my lips now-more intimate, somehow.

Sebastian smiled, a rare full smile that transformed his usually serious face. “Thank you, Hazel.”

We stood there for a moment longer than necessary, the air between us charged with something I wasn’t ready to name.

“Your car is waiting,” he finally said, breaking the spell.

“Right.” I nodded, gathering my thoughts. “Goodnight, Sebastian. And thank you again

for the invitation.”

“Goodnight, Hazel.”

I made my way down the steps, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. The driver held the door open, and I slid into the backseat with as much grace as I could muster.

As we pulled away, I watched Sebastian’s figure growing smaller in the rear window. He remained standing there, tall and imposing against the backdrop of his family’s mansion, until we turned the corner and he disappeared from view.

I leaned back against the leather seat, my mind racing. The evening replayed in fragments-Sebastian’s revelation about our past, Cora’s friendship, Eleanor Sinclair’s approval, the sudden rush of business prospects.

But more than anything, I kept returning to Sebastian’s expression when he’d asked me to use his first name. There had been something in his eyes-something warm and genuine-that didn’t align with the “debt of gratitude” explanation I’d been clinging to.

20.48

3/5

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify