He Wouldn't Claim Me — Another Man Did-Chapter 47 - 41: Unbinding

She couldn’t tell if he was serious or just joking.

Isla Prescott’s chest tightened. It felt as if a butterfly had landed there, its fluttering wings setting off a chain reaction through her entire body.

The two of them stood on the steps, one higher than the other, the atmosphere between them subtle and charged. Suddenly, an angry shout erupted from behind them. "Are you moving or not? Go be all lovey-dovey somewhere else! You’re blocking the path!"

Isla Prescott glanced back and realized that in the few seconds she had paused, a crowd of people had already backed up on the stairs behind them.

It was the evening rush hour, and the commuters, exhausted after a long day, were still simmering with frustration. Having to watch a couple block the stairs while exchanging flirtatious glances like a scene from some romance drama was enough to put anyone in a foul mood.

Shane Sterling reacted in a flash. He took Isla Prescott’s hand and pulled her to the side, clearing a path for the people behind them.

"Sorry about that!" Young Mr. Sterling was in such a good mood today that he could face all the world’s scowls and eye-rolls with a cheerful smile.

The stream of people quickly flowed past them.

Shane Sterling led Isla Prescott slowly down the stairs, keeping to the side. Isla tried to pull her hand away, but his grip was firm.

"Let go of my hand," she said.

"The stairs are dangerous. It’s safer to hold hands."

"I’m not a three-year-old. I don’t need you to protect me."

"No, I need *you* to protect *me*. This is my first time on the subway. I’m inexperienced."

Isla Prescott was speechless.

The subway car during evening rush hour was packed like a can of sardines.

Isla Prescott was used to it, but with Shane Sterling beside her, she found herself instinctively on guard. To prevent anyone from bumping into the pampered young master, she positioned herself as a human shield.

Seeing that Isla Prescott was actually trying to act as his bodyguard, Shane Sterling rubbed his brow and smiled in amusement.

As the subway lurched into motion, he spun around, reversing their positions and pulling her into the shelter of his arms.

"Still trying to protect me, little Isla Prescott?"

A rush-hour subway car already left no personal space between strangers, but Shane Sterling’s move eliminated what little distance remained between them.

Amidst the stuffy air of the car, the crisp scent of tea emanating from him felt like a natural barrier, enclosing her in a world of their own.

Isla Prescott instinctively tried to pull back, only to be jostled by another passenger right back into his embrace.

After several attempts, she still couldn’t "escape." In fact, she was pressed even closer, her lips nearly brushing against his Adam’s apple.

Isla Prescott had never seen his Adam’s apple from this close. That sexy piece of cartilage, said to be the body’s most honest gauge of desire, was bobbing before her eyes with such restraint.

As if she had stumbled upon a secret, she flusteredly averted her gaze, her eyes landing on the window.

The dark glass of the window perfectly reflected Shane Sterling’s eyes as he looked at her. Their gazes met in the reflection, creating a cinematic, montage-like moment of almost overwhelming romantic tension.

This was by far the most exhausting subway ride Isla Prescott had ever endured. But the young master—who had a luxury car he refused to drive, insisting instead on "experiencing the hardships of the common man"—seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

After they got to their station, Isla Prescott asked him, "So, how was your first time on the subway?"

He looked her right in the eye and replied with a perfectly straight face, "My first time with you? Of course it felt great."

Isla Prescott regretted it so much she could have bitten her tongue off. ’Why did I even ask?’

Shane Sterling was still following her after they left the subway station.

"How long are you going to follow me?" Isla Prescott asked.

"I’m walking you back to school."

"It’s only a few hundred meters."

"Doesn’t matter. I’m still walking you."

The night wind blew gently, and the moonlight wavered.

The two walked side by side.

Perhaps it was because Shane Sterling had stayed by her side, but Isla Prescott felt the intense emotions from her earlier confrontation with Yvette Shaw begin to settle. Like muddy water slowly turning clear, her mood was being quietly recalibrated.

When they finally reached the school gate, Isla Prescott said her goodbyes. But just as she was about to turn and head inside, Shane Sterling suddenly pulled her back.

"You were so brave today, Isla Prescott." He stood at the edge of the streetlight’s glow, half in shadow, and gently patted her head. "Congratulations on finally breaking ties with the Lockwood Family."

’It seemed this whole journey was just so he could say that one thing to her.’

’Congratulations, Isla Prescott.’