The moment he spoke, Anastasia's gaze snapped toward him.

The man wore a bubblegum-pink suit and tight black leather pants. He strutted in with an exaggerated swing of his hips, and when he gestured, his manicured, sparkling nails caught the light.

He looked like a local, but his hair-dyed a shocking shade of blonde-made him stand out even more.

Anastasia instinctively recoiled, pulling her head back just a fraction as if shielding her eyes from something blinding.

Good grief.

Still, it only took a second for her to piece together who he was from his voice and manner-David.

And from the looks of it, Lauren seemed to know him well. Maybe a little too well.

With a faint, wry smile, Anastasia spoke up. "I made an appointment for a photo session."

David couldn't have looked more annoyed. "I didn't receive any appointment. Take this young lady downstairs!" He directed the order to a nearby staff member. Unhurried, Anastasia replied, "Would you like to check your schedule, Mr. David?"

Before David could respond, Lauren let out a soft, haughty laugh. "You must not know who David is," she said, chin raised. "Do you really think just anyone can book a session with him?"

David gave a self-satisfied nod, not even bothering to look Anastasia in the eye.

"Oh, is that so?" Anastasia's voice remained calm, showing not a trace of embarrassment or discomfort at being told to leave. She turned her gaze on Lauren. "So how did you get in? Are you saying you booked a session?"

David jumped in at once. "Ms. Brennan is a friend of mine. Not everyone is on her level."

Lauren's smile widened with satisfaction, and she looked at Anastasia as if pitying her for pretending to be unfazed.

David, noticing Lauren's obvious dislike for Anastasia, decided to play along. He swept a theatrical, gentlemanly bow in Anastasia's direction and said, "Today, I'm here only for my friend-Ms. Brennan."

Lauren, amused by his performance, shot Anastasia a cool glance. "Let's move on, shall we? We have more important things to do."

David agreed, then turned to Anastasia with open irritation. "It would appear this young lady isn't leaving on her own. Please, help her out," he instructed the staff, making clear he meant for them to

physically escort her downstairs. Cóntent

They were planning to send her down two floors, where the place was always crowded. The thought of Anastasia's

embarassment-being thrown out in front of so many peopl lenally lifted much of the gloom Lauren had been carrying for days.

Anastasia's lips curled in a faint, almost sardonic smile, but she stood her ground.

Seeing David's clear displeasure, the staff stepped forward, ready to drag her into the elevator if they had to.

But just as they were about to touch her, the elevator chimed-ding!—and the doors slid open.

Anastasia turned, and the moment she saw who stepped out, her whole face lit up. She rushed forward and threw her arms around the man's waist Honey, you're finally here! If you'd been any later to have been buffed right out the door!"

Her voice quivered with just the right touch of wounded innocence.

Out of the elevator strode Harrison, Logan, and the owner of the studio.

Hearing Anastasia's words-aware she was laying it on thick but not caring- Harrison's handsome features clouded over at once.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively. "Who was it?" he asked,

his voice low and dangerous. "Who dared to mess with you?"

He looked up, eyes sharp.

David's face drained of color.

"Mr. Harrison Lancaster?!" he stammered, staring in disbelief at the girl in Harrison's arms.

He knew exactly who Harrison was. The moment Anastasia called him "Honey," David felt his world collapse.

He scrambled to recover, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Mr. Lancaster, what-what brings you here today?"

Harrison ignored him, focusing only on the woman in his arms. "Who bullied you?" he asked again.

With her protector finally by her side, Anastasia had no intention of sparing anyone. She turned and pointed straight at David.

"Him! Just now, he tried to have me thrown out, said I wasn't good enough to be on this floor!"