Chapter 23: Didn't they say that Ignatius Leclair does not consort with women?

Delphine downed a glass of red wine in one gulp, and her stomach instantly felt uncomfortable. Despite the low alcohol content, her stomach over the years had become like a shattered jar, patched up but incapable of bearing much.

"Since you've had your drink, let's call it a night." Ignatius Leclair's deep voice broke the silence. He stood up, lowered his gaze to the slightly teetering Delphine, and reached out to encircle her slender waist.

Delphine felt herself completely enveloped in his shadow, already pulled into his embrace. His arms were scorching and warm, yet carried a trace of overbearing pressure.

Her face turned pale, and she dared not lift her eyes to meet Jocelyn Yeager across the room.

Jocelyn's expression was equally grim, his tightly clenched fists slowly relaxing.

He had thought that Ignatius despised Delphine, forbidding anyone from approaching her. But this possessive gesture was unmistakably a warning — "This is my woman. Do not covet her."