Chapter 6
Before I could react, someone yanked hard on the back of my collar. My knees buckled and I crashed to the floor with a sickening thud.
“Let go of me!” I shouted, struggling with all the strength I could muster.”
Crack!
A sharp, sickening sound snapped from my wrist. Agonizing pain surged through my arm, numbing my entire body. I gritted my teeth, trembling and looked up through the haze. Brandon’s bodyguards had appeared out of nowhere. They forced me down, twisting my arms behind my back, making me kneel like a criminal.
When I hit Brandon earlier, he hadn’t so much as blinked. But now that Maisy had taken a single slap–this?%
“Does it hurt?” Brandon’s voice was gentle, but it wasn’t directed at me.
He bent down beside Maisy and helped her back into her seat tenderly. She clutched her cheek, tears shimmering in her eyes as she peeked at me pitifully.
“Don’t blame her, Brandon,” she murmured sweetly. “Leia only did that because she was upset. As long as you’re okay… that’s all that matters…”
Brandon’s shoulders tensed for a moment. Then, without another word, he straightened and walked over to me.”
Smack!
A hard slap exploded across my face. I reeled, the impact ringing in my ears.M
“Bran-”
Smack!
Another slap cut off my voice. The metallic tang of blood coated my tongue. My vision blurred, but I could still see him turning away from me, his voice cutting like ice.
“Continue. Keep slapping her until Maisy is satisfied.“W
One of the bodyguards stepped forward. His shadow loomed over me before his palm came crashing down. I clenched my fists, blinking through the stars in my vision. Through the gaps between the swinging arm, I saw Brandon again–sitting with Maisy on his lap, gently cradling her as he pressed an ice pack to her cheek.
“Sir, Madam is coughing blood,” a guard said, halting mid–swing.
Brandon’s hand, still resting on Maisy’s waist, paused. He looked up and met my gaze–me, coughing up blood, staring at him through a face streaked with red and defiance.
“Why?”
My voice was hoarse, but it rang out in the tense silence.”
“Why are you doing this to me?!“}
I ignored the dizziness, the way my body swayed, the burning pain in my face. I spat out more blood and stared at him.”
“I’ve never betrayed you. How dare you treat me like this?!”
He gently set Maisy aside and strode over. Then, without warning, he seized my chin in a crushing grip. His fingers dug into my jaw so hard it felt like he might break it.”
“Leia,” he said, his voice low and venomous. “You married into the Willis Family because I owed you a debt for saving my life. But I’ve since discovered who really saved me that night.“/
He leaned closer.
“You stole Maisy’s credit. You lived the life she was supposed to have. You made me lose her for all these years–and now you stand there claiming innocence?” |
His words were a blade to the gut. I froze, stunned, then immediately turned my head to look at Maisy.”
For a fleeting moment, I caught the panic in her eyes–but she quickly masked it, stepping forward to clutch Brandon’s arm.
“Brandon,” she said softly, “Leia must’ve borrowed so much money just to keep bidding today… Why don’t we help her pay it back?“}]
Her voice was dripping with concern, yet her eyes held a gleam of satisfaction.
Brandon’s anger evaporated in an instant. He turned, grabbed the microphone beside the stage and let his voice thunder through the hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, all debts Leia Graham incurred today have nothing to do with the Willis Group. She alone bears full responsibility. My legal team will be contacting her shortly to formalize the agreement. I invite all of you to serve as witnesses.“}
The moment his words faded, the door at the end of the hall swung open. A suited man walked in briskly.”
“Mr. Willis, the blood ruby Miss Maisy had her eye on just appeared at Sotheby’s.”
Brandon raised an eyebrow, mildly irritated. “If Maisy wants it, get it for her. Why are you wasting time reporting to me?“}
“Yes, sir!” The man turned to leave but caught sight of me–bloodied, bruised, kneeling. His expression faltered, just for a second. But he recovered quickly, bowing and pretending not to notice.
“Wait, Brandon called out lazily.
The man stopped and turned back.
Brandon glanced down at Maisy, then looked toward the stage. “Actually, book the entire auction.”
The man blinked. “You want to keep your bids open… for all 138 items?“#
