Skipped at the altar, Taken by his uncle Novel

Time Between Lost Worlds - Steven Bennett 20 Summary In Chapter 20 of "Time Between Lost Worlds," Whitney grapples with her emotions after an awkward encounter with Uncle Klein. Feeling frustrated and embarrassed by her own words, she tries to downplay the tension by joking, but Klein's serious demeanor makes it clear that he is not amused. He reminds her of her engagement to Carter, which weighs heavily on Whitney as she considers the impending breakup and the reality that she will soon be estranged from the Harris family.

As she leaves the car, she feels disoriented, the encounter lingering in her mind. Once home, Whitney receives a call from Ivan, who expresses concern about her meeting with Mr. Harris. Although Whitney reassures him that nothing inappropriate occurred, his warning about Klein's power and influence resonates with her. Despite Ivan's protective instincts, Whitney maintains her independence, asserting that she won't be swayed by wealth or status. This conversation highlights her determination to stay grounded, especially after previous experiences of being hurt.

The next day at work, Whitney and Ivan both avoid discussing the previous night, but their colleague Valerie's curiosity prompts Whitney to reflect on her situation. As Ivan prepares for a crucial meeting with the Harris Group, tension builds when he learns that Hector is also vying for the same contract, intensifying their rivalry. Whitney tries to bolster Ivan's confidence, believing in his capability to secure the deal despite the competition.

As Whitney makes her way to meet Sabrina, she contemplates the difficult conversation she needs to have with the Harris family regarding her engagement. Meanwhile, Carter waits anxiously at the Harris Manor, revealing his own inner turmoil as he struggles with his feelings toward Whitney. Their interactions are fraught with tension, as Whitney deliberately slows her approach to avoid walking in with him. Their dynamic underscores the emotional stakes of their relationship, with Whitney trying to navigate her feelings while Carter's impatience and frustration become evident.

Ultimately, the chapter captures the complexity of relationships, the weight of expectations, and the struggle for personal autonomy amidst societal pressures. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Time Between Lost Worlds - Steven Bennett** **Chapter 20** Whitney felt a surge of frustration bubbling inside her. How she wished she could just silence herself, perhaps even bite her tongue off to erase the foolishness that had just spilled from her lips. With her gaze fixed firmly on the ground, she awkwardly chuckled, trying to ease the tension.

"Uncle Klein, I was just joking," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Klein's dark, penetrating eyes remained locked on her, observing the way her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. The slight movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed was almost hypnotic. "I'm not joking, Whitney. You're engaged to Carter. You're practically family to me. I really don't mind," he replied, his tone deep and serious. "But I do mind," Whitney thought, her heart racing and her mind swirling. In truth, they weren't really family at all.

The impending breakup with Carter loomed over her like a dark cloud, and soon enough, she would be a stranger to Klein and the rest of the Harris family. With a click, Klein unlocked the car door, his voice carrying an even huskier timbre than before. "It's getting late. Just go home," he said, his words carrying an air of finality. "OK," Whitney mumbled, her voice barely audible as she stepped out of the car, her mind still reeling from the encounter. As she wandered back to her apartment, she felt as if she were floating in a daze, the world around her blurring into a haze.

It wasn't until she crossed the threshold of her home that she finally felt her heartbeat begin to steady. Just as she was about to process the whirlwind of emotions from the evening, her phone buzzed to life. It was Ivan. "Hey, Whitney, are you home yet?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of concern. Whitney couldn't help but smile, her spirits lifting slightly. "Yeah, I'm home. You and Frank made it back too, right?" she replied, eager to hear about their evening. "Yeah, I got a driver to take him home. I'm still on the road," Ivan responded.

There was a brief pause, and then he asked, "Whitney, Mr. Harris didn't do anything weird in the car, did he?" Whitney froze, heat flooding her cheeks once more. "Of course not! Boss, what are you even thinking? Mr. Harris just saw I couldn't get a ride and offered to drive me home, that's all," she insisted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone. Ivan let out a sigh of relief, the tension easing from his voice. "Good. But Whitney, did you know Mr.

Harris before today?" She had no intention of delving into the messy details of her relationship with the Harris family, so she firmly shook her head. "Nope, never met him before." "It was my first time meeting him today," she added, trying to keep her voice steady. Ivan nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Alright, I get it. Whitney, I don't know Klein well, but don't let that pretty face fool you. He's not someone you want to mess with." "Mr. James Harris skipped over his eldest son and put Klein in charge of the entire Harris Group. That alone should tell you how powerful he is.

People like him? We're better off staying out of his way," Ivan warned, his voice low and serious. Whitney pressed her lips together, catching the underlying message in Ivan's words. She smiled it off, trying to ease his worry. "Relax, Boss. Just because someone gave me a lift doesn't mean I'll start thinking he's interested in me." "And I'm not the kind to chase after someone just because they come from money," she added, her tone light but resolute. Ivan sighed softly again. "Don't blame me for being nosy, but in their circle, it's all about being from the right family.

I just don't want you to get played." "Don't worry, I won't get fooled again," Whitney assured him, her resolve hardening. After being burned once, there was no way she would allow herself to be played twice. Deep down, she believed Klein was merely being a gentleman, offering her a ride out of simple courtesy, nothing more. The following day at the law firm, Ivan chose not to mention the previous night's dinner, and Whitney remained tight-lipped as well, both of them seemingly agreeing to let the matter rest.

Valerie, ever the inquisitive one, leaned in closer and asked, "So, how did the dinner go yesterday?" Whitney kept her silence, while Frank, in his usual carefree manner, didn't give a second thought to Klein's offer of a ride. "Not bad. Ivan's meeting with Calvin this afternoon. I think we've got it in the bag," Frank said, a grin spreading across his face. Valerie gasped, her excitement palpable as she nearly choked on her words. "Wait, are we really about to land the contract?" Popping the champagne before the deal was finalized would be the worst thing they could do in this line of work.

Whitney shot Valerie a warning look, her brows knitting together slightly. "Valerie, keep it down," she whispered urgently. Valerie quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, but the thrill of the moment was evident in her sparkling eyes. If Ivan could secure the Harris Group contract, their team would finally outshine Hector's crew at the firm. However, when Ivan returned that afternoon, his demeanor was far from cheerful. As he passed Whitney's desk, he lightly tapped it, his expression serious. "Come to my office." Whitney followed him into his office, closing the door behind her.

"What's up, Boss? Did the meeting not go well this afternoon?" she inquired, sensing the tension in the air. Ivan sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "As I was heading out, I caught sight of Hector just sitting in their lounge." Whitney's heart sank. "No way. Is Mr. Fischer trying to steal the deal?" Ivan raised an eyebrow, a scoff escaping his lips. "He wouldn't have the guts." Just yesterday, Ivan had been confident that the contract was as good as theirs, but today, Calvin had been stalling, even claiming it wasn't his decision to make.

"Anyone can have this contract, but not Hector," Ivan stated, his voice low and unwavering. The rivalry between Hector and Ivan was well-known at the firm, with both men constantly vying for clients, each trying to outmaneuver the other. Whitney pressed her lips together, wanting to reassure him. "Boss, you've got seniority over him, and you have way more experience. If Harris Group goes with PrimeBridge, you'd be their top choice. Just don't worry about it." She didn't say this because she thought Klein would hand them the contract on a silver platter.

She simply trusted Ivan to handle the situation. "Alright, I'll check things out at Harris Group in a few days and see where we stand. Now, get back to work," Ivan instructed, a hint of determination returning to his voice. The afternoon flew by, and as Whitney glanced at the clock, she realized she was already ten minutes late for her planned visit with Sabrina. She had promised her friend she would come today, and there was no way she would bail on her.

As she walked, she contemplated using this opportunity to finally come clean to the older members of the Harris family about her decision to break off the engagement. The wedding was fast approaching, and if she delayed any longer, she would have no way to justify her choice to the Harris family. Meanwhile, Carter sat in the Harris Manor, his expression icy and stern as he glanced at the front door every few minutes, his impatience palpable. "Sir, are you waiting for someone?" one of the maids asked, her curiosity piqued.

Carter simply shook his head, leaving the staff puzzled and whispering amongst themselves. "If he's not waiting for anyone, then why does he keep staring at the door like he's expecting someone to show up?" they wondered, exchanging glances of confusion. Little did they know that ever since Carter had realized his fiancée had blocked him the previous day, his mood had plummeted to an all-time low. It wasn't until Whitney's red car finally pulled up to Harris Manor that Carter sprang to his feet, a flicker of hope igniting within him.

Yet, as soon as he stood, he recognized how obvious he was being. He turned away, attempting to appear nonchalant as he sauntered inside, trying to mask his eagerness. Whitney stepped out of her car, her eyes catching sight of Carter's figure ahead. She really didn't want to walk in with him, so she deliberately slowed her pace, maintaining a comfortable distance. Carter continued walking, nearing the door, but when he noticed Whitney hadn't caught up yet, he spun around, frustration bubbling over. "Where is she?" he shouted, his voice echoing in the quiet space.

A passing maid replied, "Sir, are you waiting for Ms. Moore? She just went back to her car to grab something." Carter's expression soured, as if he had just bitten into a sour lemon. "Who said I was waiting for her?" he snapped, irritation evident in his tone. He stomped into the foyer, clearly annoyed, leaving the maid to sigh inwardly and shake her head as she walked away. Whitney took her time getting out of the car, and as she had anticipated, by the time she approached the entrance, Carter was nowhere to be seen. A smirk crept onto her face.

Out of nowhere, a voice broke through her thoughts, "Whitney, were you waiting for me to get in together?" Whitney groaned internally, thinking, *If I'd known, I would've just gone in first!* Honestly, the person she was most anxious about running into at that moment wasn't Carter; it was Klein. She managed a weak smile, attempting to keep her composure. "Uncle Klein, you're really humorous," she said, her voice wavering slightly. Klein merely smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Come on, let's head in together.

They're probably getting impatient." Conclusion As Whitney stood at the threshold of Harris Manor, the weight of her decision pressed heavily upon her chest. The swirling emotions from her encounter with Klein and the looming breakup with Carter had left her feeling disoriented, yet resolute. She knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but the clarity of her choice began to crystallize amidst the chaos.

With every step she took towards the door, she felt a sense of empowerment growing within her, a determination to reclaim her narrative and break free from the expectations that had bound her for so long. The laughter and chatter from inside the manor echoed like a distant reminder of the life she was leaving behind, and for the first time in a while, she felt a flicker of hope igniting in her heart. As the door swung open and she stepped into the familiar yet suffocating atmosphere of the Harris family home, Whitney knew that she was on the brink of a significant change.

How will Carter react to her impending confession, and will Klein's presence complicate matters further? The stakes are high, and Whitney must summon the courage to face the consequences of her choices. Moreover, the dynamics within the Harris family are set to shift dramatically. As Whitney steps into the manor, the tension between her and Carter will be palpable, and readers will witness the intricate power plays that unfold as family loyalties are tested.

Dex Morgan Dex Morgan works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.