Chapter 800

Rosalind was twirling gracefully with Lillian across the dance floor when Julian's iron grip suddenly clamped around her wrist.

"Rosalind!"

Her laughter died instantly. She spun to face him, shock flashing in her emerald eyes.

"Julian?" She twisted her arm violently. "Release me this instant!"

His voice cut like ice. "Who gave you permission to dance here?"

"What business is it of yours?" Rosalind snapped. The mere sight of him made her skin crawl. With a sharp jerk, she wrenched free from his grasp.

Julian's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "So you enjoy dancing? Perfect. I'll be your partner."

Watching Rosalind laugh and sway before a crowd of admirers had set Julian's blood on fire. She offered them smiles freely, yet for three endless years, she'd vanished without a trace despite his relentless search.

Rosalind shot him a glacial look. "Who said I wanted to dance with you?"

She seized Lillian's hand. "Let's leave, Lily."

Julian's sudden appearance had shattered her joyful mood. She needed to escape before he ruined everything.

But Julian moved faster, his strong arm snaking around her slender waist, pulling her flush against his chest.

Rosalind gasped as she collided with his hard body. Her eyes blazed with fury. "Have you lost your mind? Take your filthy hands off me!"

His fingers dug into the soft curve of her waist. Instead of releasing her, he tightened his hold. "If dancing brings you such pleasure, why stop when I arrive? Dance with me."

Julian began steering her across the floor, his body moving against hers.

Rosalind couldn't fathom why Julian had appeared tonight. Shouldn't he be surrounded by adoring women at his birthday gala? Weren't those scantily-clad models and Arabella enough to satisfy him?

She shoved against his chest with all her strength. "Let go of me!"

A broad-shouldered man nearby stepped forward. "The lady clearly doesn't want your company."

Julian turned, his gaze freezing the man in place. "This doesn't concern you."

Recognizing Julian's power and status, the man retreated with a nervous swallow.

Seizing the moment, Rosalind broke free. "You're deranged!"

She grabbed Lillian's wrist again. "We're leaving!"

Julian stalked after them. "Running again? Why do you always flee from me?"

"I have nothing to say to you. Stay away!"

Her icy dismissal ignited a wildfire of rage within Julian. At his level of wealth and influence, only Rosalind dared treat him with such contempt.

Without warning, he bent and tossed Rosalind over his shoulder like a sack of flour, striding away.

Rosalind shrieked, pounding his back with her fists. "Put me down this instant!"

Lillian chased after them. "Release her!"

Julian ignored the protests, carrying his struggling burden down the corridor.

Rosalind's stomach pressed painfully against his shoulder as he marched forward. The strength disparity left her powerless, and genuine fear prickled down her spine.

"You're hurting me!" Her voice softened to a plea. "My stomach - please put me down, it really hurts!"

At her distressed tone, Julian finally lowered her to her feet.