As Ste paused, she caught Haynes'' gaze and offered a slight, knowing smile.


    "I wonder if The Wilkinson Group, with all its prestige, can tolerate an heir with a criminal record and a face scarred beyond recognition."


    Haynes'' expression had turned as dark as a stormy sky.


    "Are you threatening me?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp.


    Unfazed, Ste replied, "Mr. O''Brien, you give me too much credit. I''m just a simple housewife. How could I possibly threaten someone like you?"


    She knew the bond between Jasper and Haynes was forged in fire. Otherwise, Haynes wouldn''t tolerate Jasper''s troublesome antics as he did. Jasper had insulted her countless times in Haynes'' presence, yet he never intervened.


    Jasper was important to Haynes, but not important enough to split his empire in half. Even though the divorce papers demanded an equal share, Ste knew iming half was a long shot. If it came down to court, Haynes would pull every trick to ssify assets as pre-marital.


    Neville had informed her that profits from pre-marital assets would be out of her reach. With someone like Haynes, a prenuptial agreement was a given. Her attorney might secure a small portion, but millions? That was a fantasy.


    Watching Haynes'' rigid, handsome face, Ste continued, "This time, Jasper''s antics with Rachel have angered Mr. Burton. He''s refusing to treat Rachel..."


    Before she could finish, Haynes mped his hand around her jaw, his eyes frigid as the Arctic.


    "Ste, you''ve crossed the line."


    His deep gaze was icy, sending shivers down her spine. Ste winced, hershes fluttering involuntarily in pain.


    In retaliation, Ste stomped down hard on his foot. But Haynes anticipated the move, stepping back to evade.


    Seeing this, Ste swung her hand towards his face, but Haynes swiftly caught her wrist.


    Perhaps truly angered, Haynes'' grip was unyielding, each movement amand that brooked no defiance. Thoughposed and aloof, Haynes was a man who, at his core, was authoritarian and unyielding. Ste''s repeated provocations and her current audacity tested his limits.


    He was not about to let her off easily; he wanted her humbled, subdued.


    Ste''sugh rang out, clear and cold like a mountain spring. She opened her mouth and sunk her teeth into Haynes'' arm, hard.


    He hadn''t expected such a move and was caught off guard as her teeth dug deep into his flesh, as if she meant to tear a piece from him. In her eyes, he saw a hatred and disdain he''d never known.


    Overwhelmed by a strange emotion, Haynes instinctively shoved her away. Stumbling, Ste regained her bnce, her eyes as cool and empty as a winter''s night.


    "Haynes, I''m not your ything to push around. If youy a finger on me again, I''ll make sure you remember-bullyinges with a price."