The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 120

120 An Unwelcome Call and a Fluttering Heart

Hazel’s POV

I stared at Sebastian’s name on my phone screen, suddenly nervous about answering. Taking a deep breath, I swiped to accept the call.

“Hello?” My voice came out softer than intended.

“Ms. Shaw,” Sebastian’s deep voice had a gentle quality that took me by surprise. “I apologize for sending the car without asking first. I hope it wasn’t an inconvenience.”

“Not at all,” I replied quickly. “Though I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my

own.”

“I’m well aware of your capabilities.” There was a smile in his voice. “Consider it a courtesy, nothing more.”

A small part of me wondered if there was more to his kindness, but I pushed the thought away. “Thank you,” I said simply. “But you still haven’t told me why you called earlier.”

There was a brief pause. “I wanted to check if you’d recovered from our dinner the other night. I realize the conversation became rather… intense.”

The memory of his hand over mine flickered through my mind. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” Another pause. “You asked why I’m being kind to you.”

I felt my cheeks warm. “That was forward of me. You don’t have to explain.”

“No, it’s a fair question.” His voice dropped slightly. “Perhaps I simply recognize someone worth being kind to.”

Before I could formulate a response, he continued, “It’s late. You should rest. Get that scratch properly cleaned.”

“I did,” I said, glancing at my bandaged arm.

T

“Good. Goodnight, Hazel.”

“Goodnight, Sebastian.”

After we hung up, I sent him a quick text:

“Home safe. Thank you again for the car.”

I didn’t expect an immediate reply, given the hour, but my phone pinged moments later.

“Rest well.”

I smiled at the brief message, feeling strangely comforted. Setting my phone down, I prepared for bed, thoughts of Sebastian Sinclair following me into my dreams.

The next morning, I checked my phone and noticed the timestamp on Sebastian’s last message: 3:04 AM. A pang of concern hit me-did this man ever sleep? It seemed both of us had workaholic tendencies, but even I had my limits.

Rushing through my morning routine, I headed for the subway. The car Sebastian had sent yesterday was a one-time courtesy, not a permanent arrangement-which was for the best. I valued my independence too much to become reliant on anyone’s generosity.

As the train rattled down the tracks, my phone rang. Unknown number. I almost ignored it, but decided to answer.

“Hello?”

“YOU VICIOUS MONSTER!” A woman’s shrill voice blasted through the speaker, causing several nearby passengers to stare. I quickly turned down the volume.

“Excuse me?” I kept my voice even, stepping off at my stop and finding a quiet corner

in the station.

“DON’T PLAY INNOCENT! YOU TRIED TO KILL MY SON!”

Realization dawned. Gloria Everett-Alistair’s mother.

“Mrs. Everett,” I said calmly, “I assume Alistair told you about our encounter.”

“HE’S IN THE HOSPITAL! You stabbed him, you psychotic witch!”

I nearly laughed at the absurd accusation. “I did no such thing. If Alistair’s injured, it was by his own doing.”

“LIAR! He told us everything-how you lured him to your studio and attacked him with

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scissors!”

The distortion of truth was breathtaking. “Mrs. Everett, security cameras in my building will show that Alistair came uninvited and became aggressive. If anyone was attacked, it was me.”

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