"What, not trying to stab anyone this time?"
Georgia Thorne flushed, her cheeks turning crimson at his words.
"You even questioned why I wouldn't take you. Are you that desperate for me to have you?"
He had watched over Georgia Thorne all night. Though his dark eyes were bloodshot, it did nothing to dim the vibrant energy about him.
Elliot Sheridan didn't just come from a prominent family; he was also devastatingly handsome.
For a moment, Georgia Thorne was mesmerized by his smile. 'He's not as cold as the rumors say,' she thought, 'not when he smiles…'
Her reason fled, and the words tumbled out before she could think. "If you had just taken me, none of this would have happened."
'The truth is, I really can't stand being touched by a man I don't like.'
'It's disgusting. Utterly disgusting.'
"I saved your life, and you have the audacity to blame me? You just don't know when to stop, do you?" The smile vanished from Elliot Sheridan's face. "So, tell me, Miss Thorne. Why, exactly, did you choose me?"
"I'm curious. Why did you set your sights on me?"
Elliot Sheridan was a smart man. Georgia Thorne was different from other women.
He could see no greed in her eyes, nor any affection.
Her eyes were crystal clear, like a blank page that had never been touched by filth.
Elliot Sheridan's question made Georgia Thorne shudder.
"You know I have no other choice."
Georgia Thorne looked up, her clear eyes now red-rimmed.
Elliot Sheridan had already asked Secretary Sawyer to investigate what happened at the hotel.
The Thorne Family's company was struggling with cash flow. With no one willing to help, they had resorted to this.
Using their daughter as a pawn in a marriage alliance to secure their own interests.
Marriage alliances for business were common, and not without merit as a strategy.
Elliot Sheridan frowned. The only odd part was why they hadn't put Amanda Thorne forward first, instead of Georgia Thorne, who wasn't even of age yet.
Silence lingered between them. Georgia Thorne put down her chopsticks. "Thank you for taking me in, Mr. Sheridan. I'll be going now."
'He doesn't want me. No matter how much I put myself in front of him, he'll remain completely indifferent.'
'I'd gotten undressed for him yesterday, and he hadn't even batted an eye.'
Elliot Sheridan didn't try to stop her. Once she left the apartment complex, Georgia Thorne took a bus straight back to the Thorne residence.
Getting off the bus, Georgia Thorne tried to come up with an excuse as she walked.
'I didn't come home all night. Amanda couldn't find me, so she's definitely going to tear into me.'
She hurried home, only to be surprised by the sound of Hayley Sullivan's laughter.
"I'm home," Georgia Thorne said meekly. To her surprise, Hayley Sullivan merely shot her a look and didn't make things difficult.
Georgia found this odd. She swapped her shoes and hurried upstairs, just in time to hear Amanda Thorne saying confidently, "See, Mom? I told you Elliot Sheridan has his eye on me. Why else would he have his personal secretary bring me home?"
Hayley Sullivan was naturally beaming with pride. Her precious daughter had caught the eye of the most eligible man in all of Portmire.
Proud as she was, she also spoke earnestly to Amanda, "Amanda, since Elliot Sheridan has taken an interest, you have to seize this opportunity. You can't let a catch like him get away."