?Chapter 130:


    When she stayed silent, he reached out, aiming to pull her away. “C’mon, let’s just step outside and—”


    But before Christina could unleash her fury, someone else beat her to it.


    Brendon’s wrist was suddenly caught in a steel grip. Pain shot up his arm like fire.


    Everyone turned. Elliott stood there, cold as ice, his fingers digging into Brendon’s wrist.


    “Let go,” Elliott said. His voice was low, but the threat was unmistakable—and with each passing second, his grip only grew more punishing.


    Brendon winced. His bones felt like they were being crushed. The pressure was unbearable. With a grunt, he finally let go of Christina’s wrist.


    “You okay?” Davina rushed to Christina’s side, gently lifting her wrist. Angry red marks circled Christina’s skin, and Davina’s chest tightened at the sight.


    While Brendon was still doubled over in pain, Davina mmed her heel down on him. Hard. “Trash!” she hissed.


    “Argh!” Brendon cried out, his face twisted in pain. What the hell was wrong with this lunatic?


    Elliott’s eyes dropped to Christina’s wrist. The red lines made something flicker in his gaze. Without a word, he crushed Brendon’s wrist even harder.


    “Ah! Fuck!” Brendon screamed, vision going white at the edges. The pain was blinding.


    Brendon jerked back, trying to break free. With a faint smirk ying on his lips, Elliott let go.


    Brendon stumbled backward,pletely off bnce. He crashed to the ground,nding hard on his tailbone. Pain rippled up his spine. At least his head didn’t hit the floor again—he couldn’t afford another round of stitches.


    Red-faced and fuming, Brendon scrambled to his feet, rage burning under his skin. Too scared to go at Elliott, he turned on Christina instead. “I just came to ask about my grandma’s surgery!” he snapped, brushing himself off.


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    “What the hell was all that for? We were once married, for God’s sake!” Brendon spat the word “married” like poison, throwing it in Elliott’s face. His message was clear: no matter how much Elliott protected or fancied Christina, she was just a woman he had discarded. He aimed to let his words sting.


    “I’ll take care of your grandma’s surgery. You don’t have to worry,” Christina said, her voice frosty.


    Elliott’s lips curved slightly as he regarded Brendon with detached amusement. “You’re overstepping as an ex-husband.”


    Brendon’s face darkened, his anger bubbling up, his retort on his tongue—but he choked it back, not daring to snap at Elliott. Through gritted teeth, he forced out his modified reply. “Mr. Hubbard, I was once her husband. If anyone’s overstepping, it’s you.”


    “And what if you were? That doesn’t stop me from pursuing her,” Elliott said coolly.


    Gasps spread around them. Did Elliott just say that? He intended to pursue Christina? A divorced woman who was older than him? This was huge. If this got out, it’d be tabloid gold.


    Brendon’s face turned red. “You’ve got to be kidding. She’s divorced. And older than you.”


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