She wrapped a protective arm around Isabelle''s shoulders. "If you want someone to me, me me. I''ll take responsibility."
Her voice trembled with emotion, her performance wless. Not a hair out of ce, not a c***k in her perfect mask of concern.
Isabelle shoved Victoria away, disgust evident on her tear-streaked face. "Get away from me! I don''t want your fake protection!"
Victoria stumbled backward, losing her bnce. She fell near my phone, which was still ying the video of Isabelle being dragged into the hotel room by Miles ckwood.
"I didn''t see anything!" Victoria protested, scrambling to her feet. "That video doesn''t show what you think it does. I would never stand by while Isabelle was being assaulted!"
Isabelle lunged at Victoria, her face contorted with rage. "Liar! You''ve been using me for years!"
Ethan caught Isabelle before she could reach Victoria, restraining her easily despite her struggles.
"That''s enough," hemanded, his Alpha voice making everyone in the room flinch. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Maxwell,e to Suite 888 immediately. Escort Isabelle to the Detention Center."
+15 Points
< Chapter 68 Revtions of...
Isabelle''s eyes widened in horror. "Ethan, no! You can''t do this to me! I told you the truth!"
I gathered my belongings, satisfied that I''d aplished what I came for. The truth was out, and Victoria''s
perfect image was beginning to c***k.
As I walked out of Suite 888, I could hear Isabelle''s desperate protests echoing behind me. "She drugged you, Ethan! Victoria drugged you that night! Not me! I just moved Olivia!"
(Olivia''s POV)
The cool night air was a relief after the stifling tension of the club. I walked quickly toward the parking lot, eager to put distance between myself and the drama unfolding behind me.
I was halfway to my car when I sensed movement in the shadows. Three men stepped out, blocking my path. "Well, well," one of them sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Look what we found."
I reached into my purse for my pepper spray, my heart racing. Before I could grab it, a blur of movement caught my eye.
Ethan appeared beside me, his face a mask of cold fury. Without hesitation, he grabbed the nearest man''s wrist and twisted. The sickening c***k of breaking bone echoed through the parking lot, followed by the man''s agonized scream.
"Touch her," Ethan growled, his voice barely human, "and I''ll break more than your hand."
The men scrambled backward, dragging their injuredpanion with them. They disappeared into the darkness, leaving Ethan and me alone in the dimly lit parking
lot.
Ethan turned to me, his amber eyes softer than I''d seen them in years. "Are you alright, Liv?"
The nickname hit me like a physical blow. He hadn''t called me that since before the incident five years ago.
"Don''t call me that," I said, my voice cold. "You lost that right a long time ago."
I tried to step around him, but he caught my arm. "We need to talk, Olivia."
"We have nothing to discuss," I replied, trying to pull free. "Let go of me."
His grip tightened. "Five years of misunderstandings. Five years of pain. We need
to talk about this.” “Misunderstandings?” Iughed bitterly. “Is that what you call abandoning your dying daughter?"
Pain shed across his face. "I didn''t know she was that sick."
"Because you didn''t want to know!" I shouted, no longer caring who might hear. "You chose not to know!"
In one swift movement, Ethan pulled me against his chest, his arms wrapping
around me like steel bands. "I''m not letting you walk away this time."
I struggled against his hold, but it was useless. He was too strong, too determined.
"We''re going to talk," he insisted, his breath warm against my ear. "Whether you want to or not."
Before I could protest further, he was guiding me toward his luxury car, his hand firm on the small of my back. The door opened, and he gently but firmly pushed me inside.
The door closed with a final click, sealing us together in the confined space.