Mandy hadn’t even finished her sentence when Scott quickly reached over and covered her mouth “Okay, now you’re just getting ridiculous”
Charlotte couldn’t hold back. She burst outughing
our Scott is very straight. I’ve <b>got </b>something else to take care of, so I’ll leave you two to your
Mandy quickly backed off. “Well, anyway<b>, </b>Miss Riley, ou meal.”
<b>Charlotte </b>responded politely, “Alright, take care
“Bye, future niece–inw Mandy beamed as she walked away.
Charlotte was rendered speechless.
<b>After </b>Mandy left, Scort looked deeply apologetic. “I’m really sorry, <b>Miss </b>Riley. My aunt loves to talk nonsense. Please don’t take it seriously.”
“It’s fine,” Charlotte said with a smile. “I just didn’t expect someone like you to be getting pressured to settle down. I figured a guy like you would’ve had a girlfriend or even a fiancée by now.”
”
Ar that, Scott nced at her with a strangely meaningful look, but quickly looked away again “I’m waiting for someone.”
“What?” Charlotte was caught off guard
guard. The words slipped <b>our </b>before she processed them then it hit her. “Oh… I see.”
“It’s gettingte. Let me take you home, <b>Scott </b><b>said </b>as he stood up and reached for his coat.
“No need,” Charlotte stood too. “I drove here”
“You did have some wine, though,” be reminded her gently.
“Oh, right.” Charlotte nodded. “No worries. I’ll call my driver toe pet me.”
She had actually nned to head back to the Riley estate tonight to check on her sister.
“Alright then<b>,</b>” Scott said, not pressing further
Meanwhile, in a remote vi on the outskirts of town, Zar was absolutely livit. “You tried to use me to get rid of Charlotte? You low damn well that it we called the cops, Joseph would kill her, and <b>you </b>still pushed me to report it?!”
gave a cold, dismissiveugh. “So what if I did? I’ve wanted Charlotte Riley dead for <b>a </b><b>long </b>time.”
“Vivian Xander!” Zac roared, the veins in his forehead bulging <b>“</b>You told me you just wanted to break her and Sean up. You never said you wanted her dead!”
“That was then.” Vivian’s eyes were sharp with scorn as she curled her lips into a cruel smile. “Now, I want her gone. Once she’s dead, my <b>brother </b>will finally notice me.‘
“re insane!” Zac’s chest heaved with fury. He lunged toward <b>her</b>, but her bodyguards quickly stepped in and held him back.
“Look at <b>you</b><b>,</b>” Vivian sneered “Pathetic. No wonder Charlotte dumped you. Even after the breakup, she never gave you a second nce. You’re useless to me now. Our deal is over
Zac’s eyes zed. “You’re not afraid I’ll tell Sean everything you’ve done?
Vivian burst outughing, lood and mocking “Did I hear that right? <b>Are </b>you threatening me?
She took <b>a </b>step closer, her voice low and vicious. “Don’t forget who’s backding me.”
Her tone turned smog, oozing arrogance, “To Joseph, I’m worth far more <b>than </b>you Think about it. If I lose value, if the Jaspers kick me our for what I’ve dorur, do you really think Joseph will let you walk away?”
Ar the mention of Joseph, a flicker of fear shed in Zac’s eyes.
life.
That man was a monster. He once chased Sean Jasper through the streets in broad daylight with a sniper rifle. Sean had barely escaped with his li Zac knew he wouldn’t be so lucky
He was just an ordinary rich boy, a spoiled second–gen who had only recently started trying to run a business. He wasn’t some trained killer. He didn’t have private soldiers at hismand or a personal mili.
The bodyguards he had hired would be wiped <b>out </b>in seconds if they ever crossed Joseph’s mUPIL.
II Joseph really decided toe after him, ac <b>wouldn’t </b>survive the night.