Chapter 3

Give it back!

I strained against the men holding me, my eyes bloodshot as I roared at him.

Chase, I'm warning you! If you don't give that back, I will destroy you!

Oh Just a scrap of paper for an auction, right What's the big deal he mocked. You care about it this much Then too bad!

He held the pass right in front of my eyes, tore it straight down the middle, and shredded it into confetti.

With a flick of his wrist, the shredded paper rained down on my head.

The veins in my temples throbbed violently. Watching me break down, Chase and his lackeys burst into roaring laughter.

Chase, you're dead!

With one word, I can make Chloe dump you like trash and have both of you begging on your knees!

Chase doubled over, holding his sides like he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

Did you guys hear this lunatic He says he's gonna make the CEO of Horizon Enterprises kneel and beg for mercy!

Hilarious! A kept boy who doesn't even know his place in the world.

His laughter died, replaced by cold contempt. Chloe gave you money and toys just for fun. She has cash to burn. Did you really convince yourself you're somebody

If she actually loved you, you'd be the one standing in this tux marrying her today, not me!

Nobody gives a damn about Chloe! Only a pathetic leech like you needs to ride a woman's coattails to survive!

I was shaking with blind fury.

Chase took my reaction as jealousy and grew even smugger. Look at him! He's mad because I exposed the truth!

Chase, pick up those pieces and tape them back together right now, or I swear to God you will regret ever being born!

Five years ago, when a horrific car accident shattered my legs, the doctors said I might never walk again.

My ruthless family treated me like a broken tool, cutting me off entirely and demanding my mother give them another heir.

When she refused, they stopped paying for my medical care and medication.

My mother pawned every single piece of her dowry and family heirlooms to fund my treatment at the rehabilitation clinic.

It took two grueling years, but I stood up again. Only then did the family welcome me back and hand me the reins to the empire.

By the time I returned, my mother’s health had collapsed from years of isolation, grief, and exhaustion. She held on just long enough to see me walk, and then she was gone.

For the past three years, I had been buying back every heirloom she sold.

That emerald necklace at this afternoon's auction was the very last piece. I could not afford to lose it over an insect like Chase!

Hahaha! Crying over a piece of paper The auction is this afternoon Then there's no way in hell I'm letting you leave.

CHASE! MILLER!

I ground my teeth, lunging forward with every ounce of strength I had left. Go to hell!

I ripped free from the men holding me and drove my fist straight into Chase's jaw.

The impact dropped him like a sack of bricks. Before he could recover, I tackled him, mounting his chest and raining punches down on his face until he was dizzy and bleeding.

Liam, you psycho! Today's Chase's wedding!

Get off him, you jealous freak!

I had tuned out the entire world. No matter what they yelled, my fists kept swinging.

Finally, Chase screamed through broken teeth, What are you idiots doing! Pull this bastard off me!

They snapped out of it, swarming me, ripping me off Chase, and dragging me across the concrete while kicking my ribs.

Chase scrambled up from the ground, wiping blood from his nose. He walked over and slammed his foot onto my face. Tough guy, huh Why aren't you moving now!

He stomped down again and again, each blow heavier than the last.

A warm stream of blood trickled down my forehead, the metallic taste flooding my mouth.

Chase, that's enough. If you keep going, you might kill him.

So what if he dies There's nothing my money can't fix!

He glared down at me like a demon from hell. I wiped the blood from my eyes, glaring back with raw malice. Chase... as long as I draw breath, I will make the rest of your life a living hell.

Hahahahaha!

Chase threw his head back, laughing mockingly. After today, I control Horizon Enterprises. You're just a broken delivery boy. You think I'm scared of you

He squatted down, picked up a twig from the landscaping, and poked my bloody cheek. Make my life hell Come on, stand up and do it!

Hahaha!

The crowd erupted into laughter again. Right then, a motorcade of diamond-encrusted Rolls-Royces pulled into the hotel driveway.

Chase, look! Look at that fleet! A single diamond off one of those rims could feed us for the rest of our lives!

Chase puffed out his chest proudly. That's nothing. Chloe’s worth way more than a few cars.

The lead car pulled to a stop right in front of Chase. The chauffeur stepped out instantly, opening the rear door.

A glittering crystal heel stepped onto the red carpet...