My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 239

Before Alex White left, his voice was low and steady. “Isabella, just focus on the competition. I’ll handle everything.”

With her back to him, Isabella Austin gave a gentle nod. “I trust you.”

The door closed softly behind him.

Isabella wiped away her tears, but a knowing smile lingered at the corner of her lips.

That night, Emily Blair was startled by the commotion outside—shouting, chaos, and noise that made it impossible to focus.

Frustrated, Emily tossed down her pen and stormed out.

Outside her room, a crowd of contestants and hotel staff had gathered, blocking her path, their backs turned toward her.

The hallway buzzed with bodies pressed together; all Emily could see were shoulders and backs, no sign of what was happening in the center. Faint, broken cries drifted out from the middle of the crowd.

“Stop, please! I have to compete tomorrow—don’t ruin my hand!”

“Mr. White, I was out of line. We’ll apologize to Ms. Austin—just, please, let us go.”

The noise was overwhelming, and Emily couldn’t make sense of what was going on until she caught snatches of conversation from people nearby.

“What’s happening? Why did Mr. White suddenly lose it and start hitting people?”

“Heard it’s because those two were trash-talking Isabella Austin behind her back. Mr. White happened to overhear, and—well, he didn’t take it lightly.”

“What were they saying? Was it about the pool incident?”

“That’s what I heard.”

Emily’s brow furrowed. Determined, she pushed her way through the tangle of bodies.

Emily kept her shock buried, locking eyes with Alex.

Someone in the crowd shouted, “Just because you’re the sponsor doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want! And what did these two even say? Aren’t you worried the organizers will stand up for us? Aren’t you afraid we’ll call the police—”

Alex let out a low, almost amused laugh. “Go ahead. Call them. I dare you.”

The protestor faltered, staring at Alex as if he’d lost his mind.

Alex strolled toward Emily, his smile deepening.

“I’m here to remind you all—there are plenty of things in this world you’ll never understand. I have the power to silence you, and even the organizers, if I choose.”

“And right now—”

Before Emily could react, Alex’s hand shot up with blinding speed, his broad palm closing around her throat, clamping down hard.