Larry’s mouth was gagged, so he couldn’t even curse while the bodyguards pummeled him. By the time they were done, he was barely hanging on, and Lucy was in tears on the bed, shaking from fear.She had never seen anything like this before, just a few words exchanged, and Shawn had ordered men to throw Larry to the floor and beat him senseless. What kind of madman did that?Larry spat out a mouthful of blood, tasting iron. His teeth felt loose in his gums.When he lifted his head, he met Shawn’s face, handsome, arrogant, with that devil-may-care air twisted into something cold and mocking. Shawn sat lazily on the sofa, but the way he looked at Larry made it clear: this is all you’re worth.Pain racked every inch of Larry’s body. His jaw throbbed, his organs felt battered, even breathing hurt.Why?Why was all of this happening to him?Because of Aria?What was so special about her? She wasn’t any better than the rest. After their divorce, she ran straight to Archer. If it we
“I remember you.” Shawn’s voice was flat, his eyes sharp. “The one who always hung around Aria, pretending to be the sweet, helpless girl.”He recognized Lucy instantly. She hadn’t changed much over the years—her face had matured, but her softness was the same. Maybe even more exaggerated. Whether it was real or an act, Shawn didn’t care to figure out.He didn’t bother with people like her. To him, neither Larry nor Lucy were worth a thought.Shawn had always been arrogant—so arrogant he didn’t even care about his own brother at times. So arrogant that after Aria rejected him outright, he exiled himself overseas for ten years without once coming back. Not even for the holidays. The only reason he’d ever picked up the phone during New Year was because his brother had cursed him out and reminded him.And yet, for all his indifference, he remembered Larry and Lucy’s faces. Because anything that had once touched Aria’s world, Shawn remembered. He remembered too clearly.“Larry Spencer
Larry’s head was spinning.Why had Shawn come back? Why was he still remembering Aria after all these years? Why was he really here, standing in this room, ready to fight for her?“You… why did you come back!” Larry’s voice cracked with panic.He still remembered the Shawn from years ago. Back then, he hadn’t even known who Shawn really was. All he knew was that after Larry got engaged to Aria, Shawn disappeared abroad and was never seen again.At that time, Shawn had only reached Aria’s shoulder, a skinny kid who clung to her because she’d once saved him. Whatever she did, he followed.Larry had never taken him seriously. To him, Shawn was just a child, someone no woman in her right mind would choose over him. If Aria treated Shawn kindly, it was only because she saw him as a younger brother.A kid like that? Harmless. No threat at all.But the man in front of him now was nothing like that teenage boy.The boy who once barely reached Aria’s shoulder was now towering over him,
Larry was drained, body and mind. Lately all he wanted was to drown himself in women and alcohol. Night after night he clung to Lucy, needing her sweet words to coax him into sleep.Tonight was no different. Hearing her mock Ryan’s background got him riled up again, and he pinned her down on the bed, trying to forget his troubles for a moment.The lights in the room were bright, almost blinding. Lucy laughed softly, wrapping her arms around him, but when she lifted her head, her smile froze. On the sofa in the corner sat a tall man, half-hidden in the shadows, as if he’d materialized out of nowhere.“Ah!” Lucy shrieked, trembling violently.Her scream jolted Larry. He snapped at her, frowning. “What the hell are you screaming for!”Her finger shook as she pointed toward the sofa. “Larry… there’s… there’s another man in our room!”Her words made Larry’s stomach drop. His blood ran cold, killing whatever mood he had left. He turned sharply, glaring toward the corner.The man sat s
In that moment, Ben hated Stevie Wimmerman with everything in him.Hadn’t he brought enough women already? Why did he have to provoke Archer’s wife of all people? It was Stevie’s fault he’d ended up in this mess.No longer holding anything back, Ben spat out the truth, his voice laced with bitterness. “That resort project Stevie landed was one of those government-led initiatives. He pushed his way in, claiming he’d cover the whole cost himself without asking for a cent from above, and even donated tens of millions to Harbour City’s charity fund. That’s the only reason he got their favor.”He laid out everything he knew, not hiding a thing.Ethan’s smile only deepened.So that was it. He’d thought Stevie might actually be someone important. But no—just another fool trying to buy connections. The resort project had always been government-backed. Stevie forcing his way in only saved those people a chunk of money, money Ethan knew damn well whose pockets it ended up in.No wonder
Anyone with connections in Harbour City knew the truth about Ethan Alexander: the more he smiled, the more dangerous he was. And right now, staring into that grin, Ben could swear the cold glint in Ethan’s eyes was solid enough to cut.Ben forced out a couple of dry laughs. “Mr. Alexander… I’m just a nobody.”“How could you be a nobody?” Ethan said smoothly. “Even I don’t have the right to bring call girls into Grandview. For you to be this bold, you can’t be a nobody. You must have someone backing you.” He tilted his head, still smiling. “So go on, tell me who’s behind you. I’d like to see what kind of big shot dares protect someone who thinks he can challenge Grandview.”Ben’s heart lurched. So Ethan really did know about him sneaking women in. No wonder his face was so dark, no wonder every word dripped with mockery.All thoughts of teaming up with Stevie Wimmerman vanished. Ben just wanted to save his own skin.“Mr. Alexander, I swear, Mr. Wimmerman pushed me into it. I’m