Chapter 2

Liam You're actually here this early

The moment I got out of my car, the men surrounding Chase turned to look at me.

Oh, look at you, wearing a suit and everything. Trying to look important Too bad that cheap rag looks like a twenty-dollar Wish knockoff.

My suit was completely bespoke, hand-tailored by a master craftsman with no identical copy in the world. It was completely expected that these peasants couldn't recognize it.

Seeing me stay silent, they assumed they were right and doubled down on their sneers.

Liam, I heard you can pull around three grand a month doing DoorDash if you grind nonstop. Was it really worth spending it all to look like a clown at a five-star venue

Honestly, the hotel busboys are wearing more expensive threads than you.

Do you have any idea who Chase's wife is She's the head of Horizon Enterprises. The city’s biggest power players are showing up today. Aren't you embarrassed to sit with us dressed like that

Tell you what, once the food comes out, I'll scoop some leftovers onto a plate and let you eat in the corner. We know you couldn't afford a cash gift anyway.

I waved my hand, completely uninterested in their banter. Where's the female CEO of Horizon Enterprises Tell her to come out and see me.

You're pathetic, Liam. The bride is getting her makeup done. Can't you even wait

Dr. Adams isn't someone you can just demand to see anymore. When she gets here, you'd better remember your place.

Remember my place

My eyes narrowed. We'd see who needed to remember their place soon enough.

Suddenly, Chase, who had been quiet, grabbed my wrist. His eyes locked onto the ring on my middle finger.

His voice turned furious and guttural. Where did you get that ring Speak!

I bought it, obviously.

Bullshit! Chloe told me this ring is part of a custom pair! One of a kind! The other one is right here on my finger! How the hell do you have one!

I looked down and realized the ring on Chase's finger was identical to mine.

Chloe hadn't lied about the ring being unique. She couldn't take hers off around me without raising suspicion, so she must have gotten a cheap replica made for Chase.

The realization drove Chase insane. Before I could react, he slammed a vicious kick straight into my gut. You piece of shit, Liam! You dared to go after my woman!

No wonder she's always been 'too busy' lately! She was keeping a boy toy on the side!

Did you hear about the ring from her and wear it today on purpose to piss me off!

Chase's voice rose to a roar. The blow knocked me to the pavement, coughing from the sharp pain in my ribs.

Chase, wait, is there a misunderstanding one of his buddies asked.

What misunderstanding! We designed this ring together!

Trembling with rage, Chase pulled his phone from his tuxedo pocket and pulled up a video.

Chloe was wearing a white slip dress, sitting on his lap. The two of them were laughing, occasionally pausing to make out passionately.

Intimate. Shameless.

Watching the video, it was obvious she was the one drawing the sketch while shutting down every single suggestion Chase made.

That was enough to convince the rest of the crowd.

Liam, did Chloe really buy you that ring No wonder you ignored all our messages yesterday!

Furious, Chase brought his heavy leather shoe down on my chest. You ignored my texts, but the second you heard Chloe's name, you rushed over here! You miserable bastard, you just couldn't stand seeing me win, could you!

I shoved his foot off and pushed myself up, letting out a cold, disgusted sneer. I paid for this ring myself. If you think I'm seducing your wife, call her out here and let's confront her face-to-face!

Chase looked like he wanted to rip me to shreds. You think I'm an idiot You did this on purpose.

You wore this to pick a fight with me, hoping Chloe and I would break up so you could ruin the wedding and slide into my spot!

Chloe is rich and gorgeous. Men swarm around her like flies. Do you think I'm stupid enough to let a nobody ruin everything I've built

I might not lay a hand on her, but I can sure as hell put her side piece in his place!

Side piece.

The word felt like a bucket of filthy sludge dumped over my head, drowning my dignity.

I suggest you watch your mouth, I said through gritted teeth. Or you'll regret this for the rest of your life.

Chase laughed in my face, completely unfazed. Regret Me

A broke boy living off my wife's charity is trying to threaten me Who gave you the balls!

He snapped his fingers, and his buddies grabbed my arms, pinning me down. Chase grabbed my hand and wrenched the ring from my finger. A kept boy doesn't deserve to wear this.

He tossed the platinum band onto the pavement and brought his heel down on it, grinding it beneath his sole.

He didn't stop until the custom metal was crushed and mangled.

Looking at the ruined ring, my stomach twisted.

Chase, on the other hand, looked ecstatic.

Only I deserve something this high-class.

He flashed the ring on his own finger in front of my face. When I turned my head away, he grabbed my jaw, forcing me to look.

Chase, don't get too arrogant.

Arrogant What are you gonna do about it, DoorDash boy

He patted my cheek, then delivered several hard slaps across my face.

He hit with full force. Even with two men pinning me, the momentum jerked my entire body.

During the struggle, a VIP auction pass slipped from my suit pocket and fluttered to the ground.

I had canceled a major board meeting this morning to come here. My executive assistant had rushed over to my penthouse before I left just to hand-deliver this invitation for this afternoon's private auction.

That auction was vital to me. One of the lots was my late mother's heirloom.

Chase picked up the pass. His smug grin vanished, replaced by an ugly scowl. A food delivery guy getting an invite to an elite private auction

Did my wife give you this too!