Chapter 528

Angela stared at that face, her heart pounding with a strange panic she couldn’t control. She pulled her chin away from his hand. “Don’t do this.” “Next time a stranger comes at you, reject them firmly. Learn to protect yourself,” Richard reminded her, his voice calm and steady. A surge of anger rose in Angela, and she snapped, “I don’t need your advice. I can take care of myself.” Then, suddenly remembering Annie’s unanswered messages, she looked at him accusingly. “Why didn’t you reply to any of Annie’s texts? Do you even realize how hurtful that is?” His response was cold, yet his gaze held a quiet intensity as it lingered on her. “I don’t waste time on women who don’t interest me.” The unspoken meaning hung in the air—that the only woman worth his time was the one standing before him. Her. Angela. Under that piercing stare, Angela felt like she was drowning, her breath catching in her throat. She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “Don’t look at me like that… please.” Unab