Chapter 2

"Hah, listen to you. Who are you trying to scare?"

Sebastian smirked in disdain.

"I almost forgot that you're some big-shot lawyer. Who knows which old woman's bed you crawl out of every day, and then you come here to throw your weight around at ordinary people like us."

A flicker of panic crossed Willa's eyes. She tugged at his sleeve.

"There are so many people here. Don't go too far."

Sebastian shook her off roughly and said unhappily, "What? Do you feel bad for him?

"Am I wrong? He secretly opened our door today. Wasn't it just to get close to you?"

Meredith chipped in too.

"Exactly. Just look at him. He's one of those pretty boys who'll do anything, and he lives off seducing rich women."

The others joined in. Their insults were getting uglier by the second.

What made it even worse was that Sebastian kept insisting this was his house.

The anger in my chest surged violently. My expression darkened as I warned, "According to criminal law, spreading obscene rumors and trespassing can get you one to five years in prison."

If it weren't for Melanie Scott, Willa's mom, being close colleagues with my parents, and the fact that our families had been neighbors for years, I wouldn't have bothered even warning them. I would've called the police already.

"Willa, I don't care why you brought these people into my house. Apologize and get out now. It's not too late yet."

Sebastian burst out laughing like he'd just heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Your house? Keep dreaming.

"Used to being a side piece, aren't you? Now you want to steal my girlfriend and take over the house too? Listen up. She wouldn't marry someone who sleeps around like you even in her next life."

I almost lost control and wanted to hit him with the coat rack, but legally, the one who struck first was in the wrong. I forced myself to hold back and snapped, "I've always kept my hands to myself, unlike you, going through people like it's nothing. Only someone as trashy as Willa suits you.

"I'll say this one more time. This is a house I bought for 220 grand. You don't get to call the shots here."

With that, I retrieved my phone to call the police.

But Willa, who had been avoiding my gaze the whole time, suddenly went crazy. She snatched my phone and hurled it to the ground. She then shouted at me.

"Ryan, don't push your luck!

"What do you mean your house? You clearly gave it to me last month to settle your debt. Don't even think about denying it now!"

Sebastian's eyes went wide instantly.

"Did you just say this house was used to settle a debt?"

His face filled with disgust.

"I don't want some place a guy like him has lived in. Who knows how many old women he brought back here? That's disgusting."

Meredith and the others fanned the flames.

"Willa, are you looking down on Sebastian? Is this house actually second-hand? If you can't give us 100 grand, don't even think about marrying him."

Willa panicked and hurried to explain.

"Mrs. Judd, everyone, it's my fault for not explaining clearly. It's a new house. It's definitely not second-hand. You can check online or even ask the property management. It was just handed over last month."

When she turned to look at me, her eyes were filled with hatred. She said through clenched jaws, "Ryan, no matter how much you make a scene, it's pointless. I would never fall for trash like you.

"If you're really that desperate for a woman, Sebastian's aunt just happens to be single. Since we grew up together, I'll be nice enough to introduce you to her."

Eve Judd, Sebastian's aunt, immediately lit up with excitement.

"Sure, I don't mind his messy past."

She reached out and tried to grab me.

"Come on, let's find somewhere private so you can show me how you charm women."

Her words triggered another burst of laughter.

Seeing Willa laughing along with that disgusting expression, the rage in my chest finally let loose.

I stepped forward and slapped Willa hard across the face.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Taking over my house and slandering me? Get ready for a lawsuit," I yelled.