Chapter 5

Liam Stone was wearing a cheap, ill-fitting suit, like a dutiful security guard, shielding Chloe Davis from the pushing crowd beside him.

The moment our eyes met, Liam’s face went white.

His gaze was fixed on Ryder Blackwood beside me, watching Ryder stand openly in the spot that had once belonged exclusively to him.

The immense sense of loss and humiliation made Liam's body tremble uncontrollably.

Chloe Davis also saw me.

Her eyes darted around, and she deliberately pulled Liam, limping over to us.

"Seraphina…" Chloe began timidly.

"I know you hate me. You threw Liam out of New York; we've been struggling so much."

"We only came here today to beg for a job opportunity. Please, have mercy, don't let anyone blacklist us anymore…"

She was feigning helplessness and lying, trying to portray me to the crowd as a bully who ruthlessly persecuted them, while they were star-crossed lovers.

Indeed, some strange looks came from the crowd.

Liam, seeing Chloe cry, instinctively shielded her behind him: "Seraphina, if you have a problem, come at me. Don't make it difficult for…"

Before he could finish, things took a sudden turn.

Ryder Blackwood, who had been silently standing by my side, suddenly took a menacing step forward.

He moved with lightning speed; people barely registered his actions, only hearing a loud *bang*!

Ryder's single hand was clamped tightly around Liam's neck, slamming his entire body violently against the marble wall.

The immense impact made Liam groan in pain. He desperately tried to pry Ryder's fingers off, but found the other man's arm as hard as steel, unmoving.

"Ah! Murder! Let go of Liam!" Chloe shrieked.

The entire hall fell silent, everyone stunned by the sudden violence.

Ryder tilted his head slightly, his voice chilling:

"Who are you to dare address Seraphina by her first name?"