Chapter 3

Tyler's face flushed, and his voice cracked like he'd been wronged.

"Mr. Fuller, please don't get the wrong idea. There's nothing between Ms. Smith and me. I left the jacket here the other day and forgot to take it home."

Natalie stepped in front of Tyler, shielding him from me.

"William, that's enough. He's just a kid. Why are you scaring him like that?

"His clothes got soaked, so I had a new jacket delivered for him. I only brought him here today so he could clear out his stuff. Just because he's leaving the company doesn't mean he can't take his belongings with him—"

I shoved Natalie aside and slapped Tyler across the face, cutting off the rest of her explanation.

The crack of it echoed off the office walls.

"William, what are you doing? Why did you hit Tyler?" Natalie yelled furiously.

I slapped her too, looking at her with contempt.

"Why did I hit him? You think you're getting off the hook too? If he's got the nerve to lie to my face, then he better be ready to take a slap for it!"

We had business partners coming in for a meeting in the top-floor conference room later that afternoon.

But Tyler stood there blubbering and clutching his cheek, while Natalie looked like a mess, with a red handprint across her face.

I looked coldly at Natalie. "You want to keep making a scene here, or are you coming home with me?"

Natalie's face went white with anger, but she finally gritted her teeth and followed me out.

When we reached the parking lot, Natalie took the keys from me and headed for the driver's seat.

Tyler reached for the door and tried to get into the car.

"Get lost!" I barked at him. "I'm not giving a ride to a homewrecker!"

"William, you're being ridiculous!" Natalie scowled at me.

I scoffed. "Me? Ridiculous? If he has the nerve to hook up with a married woman, he better be ready to hear people call him out!"

Tyler immediately lowered his head, playing the helpless victim. "I just wanted to give you two a ride and clear the air. I never meant to come between you two."

I didn't even look at him. I kept my eyes fixed on Natalie.

Natalie had no choice but to pull Tyler away. "Take a cab home. I'll reimburse you."

Only then did Tyler leave reluctantly.

Not wanting the household staff watching the spectacle, I marched Natalie straight upstairs as soon as we got home.

She thought we were heading for our bedroom until I walked right past it and headed for the study instead.

She hurried ahead and blocked the door, her voice uneasy. "Can we talk somewhere else? You've been gone for ages. The study is probably just covered in dust."

I shoved her aside and threw the door open.

The sight inside sent a jolt of fury through me.

My dad's portrait had fallen to the floor, smeared with a black, unidentified substance.

The desk and floor, littered with papers, were covered in dried yellow stains.

A strong, foul smell filled the room.

I gagged. "Who did this?"

My voice shook with rage.

Natalie said awkwardly, "It... it might have been Tyler. He must have left the door open and accidentally let the cat—"

"Accidentally?" I grabbed Natalie's hand and dragged her to the study doorway.

"The study is secured with a biometric lock. It only recognizes your fingerprints and mine. Don't tell me this was an accident!"