Chapter 4

The rubberneckers, thrilled at the invitation to pile on, swarmed me in a frenzy.

A fistful of my hair got ripped out in the scuffle, my shirt hanging in tatters.

Adrenaline surged, but lab life had sapped my strength. I couldn't shake them off.

I was pinned face-first to the cold floor, my arms wrenched behind my back. They whooped with glee, capturing my humiliation with their phones.

"Busted the sidepiece. First time jumping into the fray."

"Blast it to his flower gig and viral accounts. Expose this arrogant prick to the world."

Humiliation burned my cheeks, but resistance was futile.

As they hauled me toward the exit, a trio of familiar faces entered.

"Monica, when is my start date here? You promised today," one of them asked.

Their eyes met mine, and panic flashed across their features. They shuffled backward instinctively.

"This loser was punching way above. Watch me toss him out!" Jake yanked me upright. "He spouts off that Monica is his wife. Luckily, I am around, or God knows what stunt he'd pull."

Those people bobbed their heads in agreement, giving me a once-over before pivoting away. "Sort it out. We'll come back later."

"Gambling debts paid?" I sneered at their hasty retreat.

Memories of them borrowing money from me flooded back. They had forced Monica's brother to beg me desperately.

Post-payoff, they'd turned saccharine, fawning over me to secure their meal ticket.

Yet now, Ryan Bowman came up and shoved me hard. "Shut your trap! A scrub like you is no match for my sister. Only Jake deserves her."

His grotesque sneer fueled my disgust. I spat, "Birds of a feather! Savor these final moments. I won't let you off."

Monica tugged Jake's sleeve. "Just eject him already. We've got work to do."

I memorized their faces. This betrayal would not go unpunished.

"Hold up!" Jake clamped my arm. "Can't let him slink off that easily. Flowers are strewn on the floor. No waste. Chow them down."

Monica's silence endorsed his madness.

"You're deranged! That mess is on you!" I yelled.

Jake's eyes narrowed. "Delivery is your game. We reject it, and you eat the loss."

Wriggling free in a surge of fury, I landed stinging slaps on both their faces. Amid the stunned chaos, I discreetly hit a button in my pocket.

"Get him!" Monica shrieked, cradling her cheek. "Shove every petal down his throat!"