Chapter 4

Footsteps pounded up from downstairs.

Ryan glared at me, a cold smirk curling his lips. "Pete, you're done. You ruined the gift—how are you gonna explain this to Mom and Dad? To the Harringtons?!"

Then he screamed at the top of his lungs, "Someone help! Pete's lost his mind!"

Before, I hadn't cared how he sent people to mess with me—Mom and Dad's faces kept things in check. But this was in front of my actual boss.

Dare to ruin my reputation, get me fired from Harrington Group? Was he trying to make me starve?

Instinct kicked in. I twisted the cap off a water bottle and hurled it at Ryan.

A full bottle, drenching him completely.

His carefully styled hair collapsed, stiff with gel, turning his perfect coif into a sad, soggy mess.

Ryan jumped up cursing, "Pete! Are you out of your mind?!"

"I think you're the one out of your mind! Ryan, you've clearly been possessed by some demon!"

Country strength was no joke. I pinned him to the floor and grabbed a nearby feather duster.

"You're usually so sensible—how could you destroy Mr. Harrington's gift and try to frame me? It's gotta be some evil spirit! I'm gonna wake you up and beat the devil right out of you!"

Whack!

The duster cut through the air, landing hard on Ryan's backside.

"Stop with the—ow! That hurts! Pete, you're insane!"

He scrambled across the floor like a crab, clutching his head. I didn't let up for a second, smacking his back and rear again.

"Evil spirit, get out! Evil spirit, get out!"

"Stop! Stop! I'm supposed to be Sophia's fiancé! Aren't you afraid the Harringtons will destroy you?!"

I laughed louder and hit harder.

"That's exactly why I have to help you! If you show up looking like that, it'll ruin everything! Out, demon! Give me back my well-mannered brother!"

For a moment, I felt like my old man had possessed me. Months of torment from his little crew of rich-kid lackeys—the anger, the humiliation—I beat it all out.

"Pete!"

Finally, the three of them showed up.

Violet's face was white as a sheet. She lunged and yanked the duster out of my hands.

"Vi… sorry. I saw Ryan messing with the painting and tried to stop him, but he just— Ow… Vi, Mom, Dad, it hurts so bad… Pete's trying to kill me…"

Ryan sniffled, shaking his head all innocent.

Violet, heartbroken, scooped him up and turned on me.

"You maniac! The gala's about to start! You've beaten Ryan black and blue—how are we supposed to explain this to the Harringtons?!"

Mom and Dad saw the ruined painting and went pale, nearly fainting.

"That was for Mr. Harrington! Pete… this is too much."

"Today, I'm teaching this wild kid a lesson!"

Violet raised her hand to slap me—when a deep, commanding voice boomed from the doorway, "I could hear all this shouting from outside. Which family is putting on a show for me?"

Everyone froze.

A middle-aged man walked in, radiating authority without raising his voice.

Violet and Ryan's eyes lit up.

Ryan, still a mess, struggled to his feet and mouthed: You're dead.

Violet pointed at me, full of righteous fury.

"Mr. Harrington! This little savage not only destroyed the gift we prepared for you but also beat up your future son-in-law! Look at Ryan! You have to do something!"

Ryan lifted his face just enough to look pitiful and wronged. "Sir…"

Everyone waited for Mr. Harrington to explode, to throw me out.

But he paused, glancing between Ryan and me. Then a faint, amused smile tugged at his lips. He spoke slowly, "Future son-in-law? Huh. Since when does hiring an employee come with a free son-in-law?"