Chapter 2

"Finn Hoyle! Are you out of your mind?" Dorothy lunged forward, snatching the phone from my hand.

All traces of her earlier confidence and righteous indignation were gone in an instant.

Her face was a mask of sheer terror as she babbled into the receiver, desperately trying to placate my father on the other end. "It's nothing serious, Mervin. I just upset Finn a little. Please don't worry; I'll calm him down right away, I promise."

She hung up the call in a frantic rush, terrified that my father might learn the full extent of what had just happened.

Dorothy's family might be crowned the city's richest, but my family had been standing tall for hundreds of years. To us, money was never the point, and marrying me was a privilege.

In fact, her family had risen because of my family's support.

Everybody in this city knew that I had fallen for her at first sight, getting anything she liked at auctions and buying her exotic cars without batting an eyelid.

Anyone who disparaged her lost more than words; I made sure of that.

In the matter of a few months, the obscure Bryant Group ballooned into one of the nation's largest conglomerates. Dorothy, at 27, became a titan of industry, admired and feared.

I prided myself on having given her my whole heart, never expecting her to betray me.

"Innocent? The first time?" I scoffed inwardly.

Perhaps I should have realized when Rob first appeared and Dorothy's scent seemed to hang on him like an accusation that she had been tainted.

"Haven't you caused enough of a scene already?" she snapped. "Need I remind you who it was that chased after whom like a pathetic, lovesick puppy?"

Her voice dripped with overconfident scorn as she attempted to drag my thoughts back to the present.

When she saw that I remained coldly silent, her eyes flickered with uncertainty, and she opened her mouth to say something more, only to be interrupted by Rob.

He slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close with smug satisfaction. "Come on, Finn. Is the only card you have left to play the Hoyle family name? Dorothy is the richest woman in the city now, so why pretend to be so noble and untouchable? If you won't marry her, then step aside. I certainly will."

Dorothy's eyes betrayed a flash of genuine fear at that; she was fully aware of just how far the Hoyle family's influence extended.

But before she could utter a single word in response, Rob chuckled behind his hand in mock innocence. "Just kidding. I wouldn't be the other man. But hey, here's an idea. Forget tonight and reconcile with Dorothy in no time."

Dorothy's eyes lit up with his words, and Rob winked at me with exaggerated mischief. "Just sleep with her tonight. First time? Who cares about that anyway? Let me tell you from experience."

He paused, licking his lips with a suggestive grin. "The feeling is absolutely incredible. One taste, and you'll be begging for a second round. Who knows? Maybe you'll even drag me into it."

Dorothy seized my hand, still with that proud look. "Rob is right, Finn. We're getting married tomorrow anyway. What's with one night sooner?"

I pulled my hand free and slapped her. "Get your filthy hands off me!"

The force made her cheek blossom red. Rob let out a theatrical wail and threw himself protectively in front of her. "What is wrong with you? How could you..."

"Shut your mouth as well!" I cut him off with a cold snarl and backhanded him across the face with the same force.

Jerks and their enablers were dealt with equally.

Rob collapsed dramatically into Dorothy's arms, clutching his swollen cheek and sobbing theatrically, "Break up with this lunatic! You have all the money in the world; you don't need him. Even without his support, you will thrive."

Dorothy's fury flared like a torch as she looked at his swollen face.

"Don't push your luck, Finn! What Rob said is true. I've clawed my way to this spot. You and your family can't touch me!" she growled. "I am no longer that pathetic girl who had to lower herself to groveling, licking your boots, and coaxing you just to survive in this world. This entire mess is your fault to begin with! I poured every ounce of my time, energy, and focus into you, and you still refused to give me what I needed. Why?"

Dorothy's voice rose into a shrill, hysterical crescendo. She seized a nearby wine bottle and brandished it at me, her face a mask of bitter grievance and righteous indignation. "I am a normal woman with normal needs that demand release! What kind of men bar their fiancées like you did? Why couldn't I have you when I was supposed to be yours?"

Her lines about pride and humiliation sounded absurd. So, these past three years had been agonizing for her.

In the very next second, I wrenched the bottle from her grip and smashed it down across her head. A red liquid ran down her stunned face. Wine, or blood, I couldn't tell.

"Shut up and drop the hypocritical act!" I roared. "I've been your clown for three years, and you have the nerve to accuse me? One more word, and I'll rip off your mouth!"

Ignoring the fury and disbelief on her face, I lurched out of that rotten house of deceit and betrayal. Dorothy screamed after me, half warning and half grievance for her lover.

Without looking back, I raised a hand. "From this moment forward, the Bryant Group ceases to exist in this world! To hell with your so-called fortune! I can build you up and bring you down as well!"

The instant I stepped fully outside, a sharp ache stabbed at the bridge of my nose. Tears welled up and fell without warning.

I wiped them away and clenched my jaw. "Consider my three years wasted on an ingrate. Now open your eyes wide and watch how I strip you of everything, you disgusting liar!"