My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 21

It hadn’t been Andrew Lane’s idea to invite her along. Back then, she’d shamelessly tagged along herself, insisting that The Lane Estate was too far from campus.

There was no way Emily Blair was going to make the same mistake again.

She turned him down without hesitation. “No need. I’ll go back to The Lane Estate myself.”

The assistant’s eyes flickered with surprise. He hesitated, glancing toward the man seated in the back of the Rolls-Royce. “Mr. Lane?”

Emily was taken aback.

Andrew Lane had actually come to pick her up?

Before she could process it, Andrew Lane stepped out of the car. He cut a striking figure in his perfectly tailored suit, standing out in the crowd like a hawk among pigeons.

“Emily Blair, do you want me to drag you over, or will you come yourself?”

He was as domineering and controlled as ever.

Even if Emily wanted to resist, she knew she had no real choice. Andrew Lane never tolerated being told no.

Reluctantly, she slid into the back seat, clutching her backpack tightly against her chest, determined not to let the morning’s events repeat themselves.

The Rolls glided onto the street. At first, neither of them spoke. But after a while, Emily noticed they weren’t heading toward The Lane Estate at all.

Her brow knotted. “I’m not going to your place. I want to go home.”

With a sharp snap, Andrew closed the file in his hands.

He removed his glasses with slow, deliberate fingers, his voice low and rough. “What exactly are you upset about now?”

Emily ignored him. “Let me out. I’ll go back on my own.”

Andrew gestured to his assistant. “Show her.”

Andrew’s expression darkened, his voice taut with restraint. “Emily Blair, you—”

“This—” Emily tossed the file onto his lap. “You keep it. Believe whatever you want.”

Her sarcasm was impossible to miss. Even the assistant frowned deeply.

He couldn’t help but think, No wonder Mr. Lane prefers Ms. Austin over her.

If it had been Ms. Austin in this situation, she would’ve been gentle and understanding, reassuring Mr. Lane not to overwork himself and trusting his investigation without question.

Unlike Emily Blair—bristling with thorns, stubborn and suspicious, always convinced she knew better.

If he were Mr. Lane, of course he’d choose the kinder, gentler Ms. Austin.

Andrew’s eyes flicked up, his tone cold and distant. “What’s that supposed to mean?”